Mayor Bloomberg was in Albany yesterday with Christine Quinn to pressure State Senators to support a same-sex marriage bill. During meetings with seven Republican Senators, Bloomberg vowed to campaign for any candidate who came out for gay marriage, regardless of how they voted on any other issue. And he made the case that same-sex marriage is “entirely consistent with the G.O.P.’s core values of promoting limited government and individual liberty." more ›

The New Jersey chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union has joined a lawsuit filed by gay rights groups claiming the state government hasn't complied with the 2006 New Jersey Supreme Court ruling that granting lesser rights to gay couples in civil unions was unconstitutional. The ACLU has issued an amicus brief on the subject, arguing that "When courts discover that their original remedial schemes for achieving equality through parallel structures have not achieved the intended results, they have ordered that the system of separate rights or privileges be discarded." They also argue that exclusion from rights is not a justifiable public interest. more ›

After a bill that would have legalized same-sex marriage was voted down by the New Jersey state Senate, six gay and lesbian couples have asked the state Supreme Court to allow them to wed. New Jersey already allows civil unions, which are supposed to guarantee that same-sex couples receive all of the benefits of marriage. But some Garden State gay activists, like Cindy Meneghin, told the Star-Ledger they're still not given the rights they deserve, proving "that civil unions are not equal to marriage." more ›

Update Below: In another sign that he's serious about challenging Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, former Tennessee Congressman Harold Ford Jr. went on the record in support of same-sex marriage. Though he twice voted to change the constitution to ban gay marriage as a congressman, the 39-year-old who moved to New York three years ago stated: "My support for fairness and equality existed long before I moved to New York." more ›

Five years ago yesterday, NJ Governor James McGreevey resigned, saying he was "a gay American" and admitting an affair with male aide (though many believe he stepped down due to a corruption scandal that ensnared his top contributors). Yesterday, the Star-Ledger published an interview with McGreevey—he said, "I'm grateful for my brokenness. I'm grateful for my humility." He is now a student at the General Theological Seminary, on track to get his Masters of Divinity next year (though he's not sure if he'll become a priest) and also volunteers at a Harlem storefront, helping with a prisoner re-entry program. McGreevey lives in NJ with his partner Mark O'Donnell and said they hadn't entered a civil union, "Civil union is less than marriage. Marriage is a sacred and valued institution and ought to be afforded equal protection. We've committed to each other and I believe our relationship is blessed and for now that works." And when asked what the opening line of his obituary should be, he said, "'Jim McGreevey, a joyful flawed Christian, died yesterday.' That would be the most accurate. And maybe the most meaningful." more ›

With Governor Paterson's introduction of a gay marriage bill for NY State, all eyes are on the State Senate. At least 32 Senate votes are needed for the bill to become a reality (the Assembly passed a gay marriage bill in 2007). Gay rights groups believe they have 24 votes, so, the NY Times reports, "Groups like the Empire State Pride Agenda, the Log Cabin Republicans and the Human Rights Campaign have undertaken a highly methodical and personal campaign focusing on those senators from the North Country to Long Island who they believe may be open to backing the bill." Some Republican senators may be swing votes but overall, the lawmakers' religious faiths are a big barrier. Sen. Ruth Hassell-Thompson (D-Westchester, Bronx) whose family is very involved with the church said, "I always try to believe that I’m an open-minded person... This is an issue that challenges the fundamental beliefs that people have. And it’s not easy." But Sen. John L. Sampson (D-Brooklyn) told the Times he is now undecided, "I do see it differently. I can’t impose my own religious beliefs in a situation like this." more ›