Paterson Suddenly Patient About Gay Marriage

One week ago, Governor David Paterson announced that he was proposing forth gay marriage legislation, "For too long, LGBT New Yorkers have been told to wait for their civil rights and personal freedom. We will not wait any longer. Now is the time for action. Now is the time for leadership... We have to have a debate. We have to have a vote." Yet his remarks yesterday made it seem like the Governor is "backpedaling" or "softening" his effort to have the bill up for a vote.

Newsday reports that Paterson is fine with State Senate Majority Leader Malcolm Smith's plan "not to put a same-sex marriage bill to a vote without knowing it would pass." Paterson, who had previously suggested that a debate should be had whether or not the bill will pass, said, "On this particular bill, there are a lot of other issues related to it. Senator Smith knows the inertia of the Senate better than anyone else... I'll stick with his final judgment."

The inertia being that Smith knows he doesn't have enough votes for gay marriage to pass, especially with the Gang of Three Democratic Senators who are against gay marriage. Paterson also said yesterday, "My point was not to dictate to Senator Smith what he should be doing. I've got enough problems. My point was just to raise an issue which I think has just frustrated me in my days as a legislator."

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By Jen Chung in News on April 23, 2009 10:35 AM

Comments [rss]

Mike @ The Boise Picayune

I was merely expressing an opinion about government's relationship to marriage. I never claimed LGBT equality was contingent upon it.

Personally, I support equality. Period. Whether you're LGBT or not. Black, White, Brown, Yellow or Blue.

I would - however - redefine all races.

As Humans!

glennQNYC

Claiming LGBT equality can only be achieved through redefining what marriage means, is like arguing race equality can only be achieved by redefining all races as Caucasian!

Mike @ The Boise Picayune

Government's involvement in Marriage is a hold over from the days when the church was heavily involved in government. In many cases, the church WAS the government.

Whether that church was represented by a Mayan Priest, Scottish Vicar or some guy like me - ordained in 1995 through the Universal Life Church.

It is my humble opinion that government should be out of the "Marriage" business altogether, and concern itself only with "Civil Unions".

Leaving the institution of Marriage to churches who would then be free to decide - according to their beliefs - who they would bring together "...in the eyes of God."

Can I get a witness? Can I get an Hallelujah? Can I get an Amen?

Praise the Lord!