State Sen. Diaz Restarting His Anti-Marriage Equality Engines

Diaz (NYSenate).

Shockingly, Pentecostal minister and State Senator Ruben Diaz, Sr., does not like the just-announced renewed push, aided by Governor Cuomo's office, for marriage equality in New York. So naturally, he put out a statement about it. For starters, the timing sucks: "I am deeply offended that during this Holy Week, which is a most sacred time to millions of New Yorkers, Governor Andrew Cuomo is working hard to mobilize elected officials to legalize homosexual marriage in New York." Well, the dude lives in sin, so what does Diaz expect?

Four of the bigger New York groups fighting for gay marriage announced that, with guidance from the Governor's office, they were joining together to form New Yorkers United for Marriage in order to push for the basic right to come to the Empire State this summer (the Log Cabin Republicans quickly joined up, too). The very anti-marriage-equality Diaz was also pissed because the news comes after Cuomo pushed through his on-time budget which Diaz says will "cause tremendous suffering to countless New Yorkers—especially Black and Hispanic communities." Worse still, to Diaz, “Now Governor Cuomo is targeting communities of faith in an effort to redefine marriage. The most basic tenets of New York’s largest faith communities include defining marriage as between one man and one woman. These religions that cherish these values include Catholic, Christian, Jewish and Muslim."

And also, Diaz doesn't even think it is legal for Cuomo's aides to have met with gay-marriage groups to talk strategy in the first place. He questions the use of "public resources during these serious financial times to raise funds (by having his staff raise money) and to use his staff (who are paid for with tax dollars) and his office (for weekly meetings) to promote a radical agenda, then shouldn’t we all be able to use our offices and staffs to raise resources for issues that matter to us?" Except that our understanding of yesterday's news is that New Yorkers United for Marriage was going to be raising its own money in order to pay for its own lobbyists. And aides to public officials talk strategy with non-government groups all the time. But, uhm, okay?

Finally, Diaz is pushing anyone and everyone to "oppose Governor Cuomo’s blatant and shameful attack on New York’s people of faith." Unfortunately, we suspect many will do just that. But at the same time, the numbers are simply not trending in favor of his opinion.

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By Garth Johnston in News on April 21, 2011 1:49 PM

Comments [rss]

Yan Grinshteyn

I'm so sorry it's your "holy week", Diaz. I guess I can quit my incessant nagging for equal rights until the timing works better for your religion. That thing you're doing; speaking out against gay rights/using freedom of speech and communicating your ideas to the public... Yea, that's the same right we're trying to use as well. Mind if we both have it?

Steven Harris

Diaz is just an idiot, if anyone has heard him speak they can testify to that. TESTIFY! lolz.

Mordicai

"The most basic tenets of New York’s largest faith communities include defining marriage as between one man and one woman. "

It is true, it is right there in the...right there...well, there is the thing about how lobster is super evil, I'm pretty sure it is RIGHT before that. So there is that! That is a PRETTY basic tenant. Jesus was always like "spread intolerance & hate, that is my #1 jam." I read it, I'm pretty sure.

BoogieDown

Hmmm, this worm hasn't emerged from under his rock since he was "outraged" about the "witch-hunt" against Pedro Espada. I suppose he figures we've forgotten about him defending his little criminal friend. Well, Mr. Diaz, we haven't.

jibbly

Ah yes, Easter, when the lord and savior rabbit laid colorful foil covered chocolate eggs for our sins and hid them all over backyards in north america so that children can find and devour their caramel and corn syrup insides.

Wait, that's not how it goes?

Gwinny

No... it's the day when Jesus rises from the dead, becomes a zombie, and eats our brains. BRAAAAINS.

jibbly

Oh I get it now, once Jesus eats your brains you go to heaven! It all makes so much more sense now.

Mordicai

You guys are both crazy. Magic blood = vampire.

IvoryJive

So of the State Senators in the "Gang of Four", who brought the government to a standstill in June 2009, only Diaz remains after the other three were convicted of abuse, embezzlement and corruption charges respectively. I gotta think this homophobic religious conservative is not long for his office either.

B

The state doesn't define legal cuisine as "100% kosher," and therefore restaurants are allowed to serve non-kosher food even though one of the largest faith communities specifically allows only kosher food to be eaten! GASP!

randomtransplant

"during the holy week"

What better time to spread love and peace. To subject people to holiday observances for faiths which do not welcome them is precisely why the original Christians didn't get along with the Romans, precipitating Easter in the first place.