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Live Video: Same-Sex Marriage Debate in State Senate

Passing longstanding legislative roadblocks, the State Senate has finally brought a bill to legalize same-sex marriage to the floor for a debate and vote. Here's live streaming video from the historic debate:

Watch live streaming video from nysenate at livestream.com

State Senator Pedro Espada Jr. just finished his speech by encouraging the Senate to legalize same-sex marriage: "Let's write this headline for the NY Times, The Post, El Diaro... Let's send forth a message of hope, a drumbeat of rights for all by voting yes for this today." It's unclear if there are enough votes to pass the measure, but bill sponsor State Senator Thomas Duane from Manhattan believes he has enough votes. Last night, for the third time, the Assembly passed their bill legalizing same-sex marriage.

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  • felixthecat2

    I am saddened for persons as Charles King, Yetta Kurland, Rosie Mendez and all the other LGBT leaders that fight with integrity. We should have a big demonstration in the streets with NO permits and with BULLHORNS. People make it happen. I be the first one to join the protests.

  • felixthecat2

    FYI, I volunteered against Addabo in Queens because he was one of the worst city council members. Shame on him. At least there was a vote and now we have a target list to work from.

  • duckumu

    once again equality fails at the hands of bigots.

  • felixthecat2

    Sen Parker is speaking well. He calling them out for legislating morality and thinking of their own political survival. He is right, they won't be voted out. And Sen Perkins is speaking strong. You have to give credit to some of the African-American leaders and hispanic leaders, they are very strong vocally. Equality 2009 will reunite us all. p.s. I HATE QUINN!!

  • felixthecat2

    OMG, Monseratte voted no???????? He was in support once for equality. what is going on? Why isn't any blog keeping track of the votes?

  • duckumu

    that's surprising. i thought he was on the record as a yes also. not good.

  • felixthecat2

    Fuck 38 vs 24. Bill is lost. No even as close as I expected it to be. Why did Tom Duane say he had the votes at the meetings?

  • felixthecat2

    He was in the city council, a strong supporter of marriage equality. I don't know what happened to him now.

  • felixthecat2

    Sen Addabo say NO, no surprise. I hate him and McMahon. they are just like joe lieberman, elephants in disguise. blah. It makes me Sick!!!! Vote Addabo OUT!!!!!!

  • felixthecat2

    Sen Adams is back on and he is speaking strong in support. Kudos to him.

  • felixthecat2

    Damn, the debate is closed. I didn't hear from one of those Republicans. What cowards. blah.

  • felixthecat2

    Tom Duane's closing remarks stinks. He isn't a great speaker. Sen Eric Adams spoke so well. great job. Equality 2009. Lets end this year on a good note. Bloomberg and Koch can come out of the closet and get marry.

  • duckumu

    duane is stalling on purpose. there is likely a lot of last minute lobbying happening behind the scenes to get more votes.

  • felixthecat2

    Thanks for info. I enjoyed the impassioned speeches in support of equality. Quite strong and passionate but Duane is killing the buzz. Equality 2009! Oh No, he know just mention Christine Quinn as his best friend. What a buzz kill. Damn, Duane, focus on the civil right liberties and the history of its movement and opposition. C'mon Duane, a gay hip? WTH? Someone save him.

  • hotstepper

    god is readying a fireball from hell to launch at us the instant this bill passes. stay tuned sinners!

  • famdoc

    New York State is two states: NYC and upstate.

    NYC supports gay marriage. Upstate supports trailer parks and K-Mart. I wish I could predict a success for the measure, but I have to be pessimistic about the chance of many upstate legislators supporting it.

  • S.K.

    Who says that NYC supports gay marriage? Maybe Manhattan and certain parts of Queens and Brooklyn, but if NYC were to secede from NYS on the topic of gay marriage, SI would secede from NYC.



    When CA voted on Prop 8, most Los Angeles residents voted in favor of it. so big city does not always equal gay friendly.

  • hotstepper

    simplistic and overused analysis of NYS. you don't get out much do you?

  • barryap

    Senator Espada began his comments by saying his support for same-sex marriage was not echoed by his constituents. “If this vote was taken in my district today,” he said, “same sex marriage would fail.” He urged senators not to cave to ignorance “or pander to that in our communities.”



    /slow clap

  • chuzzlewit

    stay on target....STAY ON TARGET......

  • I like watching this! Who woulda thought!

  • barryap

    Politics is exciting when it affects actual human beings.

  • Splicer

    Now if they can create commission to find out how so many gay men have jobs good enough to let them move into Chelsea? Where are these jobs and why don't straight people have them?

  • evbo

    There's absolutely no reason why gay people shouldn't be allowed to marry. They have just as much right to be miserable as we do.

  • barryap

    They said they wouldn't bring this to the Senate unless it had the votes to pass...dare I believe them, and believe that NY will join the 21st century today?

  • Nyctini11

    couldn't agree more, it's embarassing to be part of a city like NY which full heartedly plays on it's Gay Pride at every opportunity to make $$ can't get their own beliefs out of the way long enough to get this damn bill passed. Isn't this why we sepearate Church & state in the 1st place??

  • barryap

    I think the problem is, we need to separate city and state.

  • Splicer

    Right wingers, conservatives, GOPers and religious loons can beat their chests all they want about equal rights but you can't have an equitable country where some people have less rights than others. The end.

  • etypical

    Except CA overturned it and there's no more liberal state than that so if not old GOPers, what do you attribute that too? - Curious

  • Abbott

    Because in America homosexuality is still fairly taboo and that's why the civil rights of a minority shouldn't be voted on by the majority.

  • hotstepper

    that's right, it should be decided upon by the King.

  • rasputinsghost

    overturned by a slim majority bolstered by out of state religious nutbags

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