Triskelion (Trisk) invited Gay and Lesbian Advocates and Defenders lawyer Karen Loewy '96 last Tuesday to discuss her experience in advocating same-sex marital rights. In April 2001, seven same-sex couples sued the commonwealth of Massachusetts for equal rights as married couples rather than as couples bound by civil unions, Loewy said in her presentation. Loewy represented the couples.

According to Loewy, civil unions provide most of the same rights as those given to marriages except for an actual marriage license.

Trisk outreach coordinator Andrew Wiechert '06 said that Trisk wanted people to know about this case because of its importance in the advancement of civil rights.

According to Loewy, around May there will be a bill for or against the legalization of same-sex marriages.

"I think, on a larger scale, [the bill] will make Massachusetts a better place and will provide rights for same-sex marriage," Loewy said. "The other thing is that everyone else will say that nothing else is being taken away from them."

"Provided that [the bill allowing same-sex marriages] passes, this is a major achievement for the community," Wiechert said. "We were all in the [Trisk] office when it happened and were all really excited."

Loewy said there is no clear definition of marriage in Massachusetts law.

"The definition of marriage is 'the union of two people with the exclusion of others,'" Loewy said.

Because of this clause, the Supreme Judicial Court-where the case is being heard-is currently deciding on whether to amend the law by replacing "two people" with "husband and wife."

Loewy said how amazed she was by this having been her first experience as a lawyer.

"I went to law school to do cutting edge civil rights work," Loewy said. "Participating in this case fulfilled this dream beyond anything I ever imagined."

Loewy also spoke about forms of religious and social opposition that her case has faced, among them the claim that marriage is a traditional institution and that legalizing same-sex marriages would be an offense to this historical ceremony.

"Absolutely faith-based traditions have the autonomy to decide about faith in their own terms," Loewy said. "But that has nothing to do with the government. Practically speaking, the government has never and will never force a faith to perform a marriage inconsistent with it."

Wiechert agreed with Loewy that something had to be done to show society that same-sex marriage is an acceptable institution.

"I think people are just naturally afraid of change and it will take time for this sort of action to succeed," Wiechert said.

Trisk Pride Coordinator Glenn Landauer '06 said that this civil actions fight is no different from those in the past and, as such, deserves to be fought.

"History has shown, be it the civil rights movement for African-Americans or for women that giving those people rights was a good thing," Landauer said. "We can learn from the past and reform our laws so that society is more just."

"This was the first case I filed as a lawyer and I can't think of anything that could set a better tone for my career," Loewy said. "It's been a completely enriching experience all around.