Gay Marriage Issue May Go Before Voters

Gay rights advocates suffered a setback when the state’s attorney general approved a proposed ballot initiative that would give voters a chance to overturn a court decision legalizing gay marriage.

The decision, announced in Boston, paves the way for conservative and Christian groups to begin a campaign to put the issue before voters.

Atty. Gen. Tom Reilly said his approval did not mean he personally backed the initiative but that it met the constitutional requirements needed to allow voters to overturn court decisions.