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Governor Paterson held a press conference today introducing legislation to legalize gay marriage in New York. The governor was not the least bit tepid in his strong support of the issue, saying he has been on record as an advocate for same-sex marriage since 1994. The state's first black governor drew a strong connection between the fight for marital rights and the abolition movement, citing the names of Harriet Beecher Stowe and Frederick Douglass. Paterson said: Senate Majority Leader Malcolm Smith was not able to be in attendance (Paterson said he only found out about the press conference yesterday). It's not believed that Smith has the votes to pass such a bill. Paterson argued that regardless of the outcome, now is the time for a public vote. He said, “If we take no action, we will surely lose. Maybe we’ve already lost. There is no gain without struggle...We have to have a debate. We have to have a vote.”
Photograph of Governor Paterson surrounded by lawmakers and others by Mary Altaffer/AP
Anyone that’s ever experienced antisemitism or racism, any New Yorker who is an immigrant, who has experienced discrimination, any woman who has faced harassment at work or suffered violence at home, any disabled person who has been mocked or marginalized, understands what we’re talking about here. We have all known the wrath of discrimination. We have all felt the pain and the insult of hatred. This is why we are all standing here today. We stand to tell the world that we want equality for everyone.
Democrats are not expected to be able to pass the bill due in part to opposition from the Gang of Three, an alliance of state senators who have proven meddlesome to Smith since Democrats won control in November. Gang of Three leader Ruben Díaz said that he was especially troubled by the timing of the governor’s announcement coming on the heels of the installation of new Archbishop Timothy Dolan.
When asked about the potential of clashing with the new archbishop and facing an opposition movement led by Dolan, Paterson (also a Catholic) said, "I didn’t know that he was inviting Christ’s army, because I thought I was a member of it — and I’m in favor of gay marriage.”
The topic of faith was also raised by state GOP Chairman Joe Mondello, in regards to Mayor Bloomberg, recently welcomed back to the party (at least for a November run on their line). Bloomberg, a strong supporter of gay marriage, was one of many prominent same-sex marriage advocates in attendance at the press conference. When asked how he felt about that, Mondello said, "Well, what can I tell you? That's going to have to be between him and his God, just like what I do has to be between me and my God."
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So is this Paterson's "Hail Mary" pass?
It will probably failed as everything that Paterson does fails. And why is Quinn happy? Who would ever marry that disgusting slush fund Queen. Off with her ugly head.
What about the right of the greatest public transportation system in the US of A to not die because of selfish politicians?
I mean yeah, this is great, everyone deserves the same rights.
But the crap is hitting the fan with the MTA
That's a bit more important
Focus People!
well clearly you aren't half of a gay couple itching to get hitched in syracuse.
this is a pressing social issue and should be openly addressed in a forward-thinking state like NY.
i know it's hard to imagine, but the MTA is a NYC problem first, state problem second...
Incorrect, MTA is a State problem as well as a federal issue.
New York City is the greatest city in this country and the fact that the transportation system is a complete mess is an emergency for everyone to recognize.
how is the mTA a federal issue exactly?
Oh get over yourself. If NYC fell in on itself, the world would get misty-eyed for a week & a half before moving on, largely better off without it. And I live in this self-absorbed shithole, too.
The only reason why this is an issue at all is becuase there still exist people that seem to think this is still 1950 and don't recognize that everyone is the same and should be treated as such.
21st century
Time to focus!
alright, now let's get down to some legal tea-baggin'!
I liked how Mayor Bloomberg said it was important for the bill to be presented to the Legislature and that these issues should be debated—total zing to Assembly Speaker SHeldon Silver for not even bringing congestion pricing up for debate.
Divorce lawyers in New York are salivating...
So are wedding planners!
Not to get all serious (this is Gothamist after all), the analogy to the Civil Rights movement isn't a stretch. In 20 years, we're all going to be embarrassed that there were laws on the books AGAINST gays/lesbians having the same civil rights as us heteros. Honestly, who cares what someone's sexual preference is?
**and now back to your regularly scheduled snark flame-fest**
"Honestly, who cares what someone's sexual preference is?"
And the answer is... Catholic priests. You know, the ones that like to fondle little boys.
Don't forget NAMBLA, you seem to target orgs that mean to do well and not the abusers themselves.. Child predators make it a point to hide in churches, synagogues, schools, etc. Yes the catholic church was inept by not addressing the issue but catholics don't believe in child molestation. These sick priest did damage to the children and even to the nuns who lost their residences because the church had to pay out so many lawsuits.
What part of 'Catholic priests' did you not understand? I didn't say one word about the organization, at least not in this post. But now I will. Since when did Catholicism mean well? The whole point of the Catholic church is to control its congregation through fear. Without the church, people would be able to worship via personal relationships with Christ and would not feel the need to shell their money out to an organization that thrives on its constituents' ignorance.
I'm giving you a second chance to prove you've got enough brainpower to actually conduct an intelligent conversation. Don't fuck it up this time.
Well put.
this is trickle-down politics northeast style!
lets make it happen
interestingly on my recent trip to South Africa (where gay marriage is legal) while everyone was thrilled to talk to me about Obama they were still surprised that we are so far behind on gay rights... hopefully that is changing
Let everyone have the opportunity to wallow in the misery of marriage!
It's only fair.
I have a simple solution to this silliness: cancel ALL state-sanctioned marriage. What does state has to do with a relationship between consenting adults?
Want to have a straight/gay/group wedding? Be my guest, just don't bring it to the city hall.
Hear hear. First sensible thing I've heard on Gothamist in months.