Paterson To Introduce Gay Marriage Legislation This Week

After saying he would renew the push for same sex marriage in the Legislature last week, sources tell CityRoom that Governor Paterson will introduce legislation on Thursday: It "reflects the governor’s desire to press the issue with lawmakers in Albany as other states move ahead with efforts to grant more civil rights to homosexuals... [However] The fact that Mr. Paterson is introducing a bill does not, however, mean that action in the Legislature is imminent. It could take months — even longer — before the bill makes its way through the appropriate committees and onto the floor of the Senate and the Assembly." The State Assembly has previously passed a gay marriage bill in 2007, but it stalled in the Republican-controlled Senate. Though the Senate is now controlled by Democrats, the majority is fractured and Senate Majority leader Smith's spokesperson said last week, "Currently, there are not sufficient votes in the Senate to pass the marriage equality bill." Photo of Paterson at last year's Gay Pride parade: Boss Tweed on Flickr

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By Jen Chung in News on April 14, 2009 3:58 PM

Comments [rss]

Jon Claw

Not bad, Gov. Paterson.

Now... how about a MTA funding bill?

No?

GTFO.

wiseguynyc

That's fantastic news. It's time this state takes the leading edge of this movement rather than following states like Iowa. Whatever you think of Paterson - and to my mind, he is somewhat a victim of bad economic fortunes that were not of his making - this is an enlightened move. Let's hope the legislature sees it the same way.

Wza

All I gotta say is good luck getting a divorce in this state.

longacre

This may be the definitive proof that New York State government is entirely fucked: it is easier for them to reverse a fundamental value maintained by human society since its inception than it is to make the trains run on time (even more dumbfounding since fixing the MTA would earn them far more votes).

Duffy

While I agree that fixing the MTA would statistically affect more New Yorker's lives than the ability to marry whomever they want, I don't really get the whole 'fundamental value maintained by human society since its inception' attitude.

longacre

I am in favor of this legislation, but unlike so many gay marriage advocates who try to make it sound like not such a big deal, I am realistic of the fact that in historic terms, the legal acceptance of gay marriage is on par with the invention of the wheel or discovering the earth revolves around the sun.

Politburo

"I am realistic of the fact that in historic terms, the legal acceptance of gay marriage is on par with the invention of the wheel or discovering the earth revolves around the sun."

It is not at all close to that. Europe has had gay marriage for 8+ years, depending on jurisdiction. It's been in Canada for a few years. Nothing earth-shattering has occurred as a result.

It's only a big deal because certain people are making it a big deal.

Jon Claw

Religion, etc.

MT

This is a hell of a hail mary.

jackdonaghy

To clarify, I think the gay marriage bill is long overdue. However, the Governor appears to be ushing the legislation out of desperation for voters, rather than compassion and open-mindedness.