Brought to you by 365gay.com
(New York City) As expected, New York Gov. David Paterson (D) unveiled legislation Thursday morning to allow same-sex couples to marry in the Empire State.
Standing beside New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg (R), openly gay Council Speaker Christine Quinn (D) and state leaders and union leaders, Paterson said “Marriage equality is about basic civil rights and freedom. That is why we stand together today to embrace civil rights for every New Yorker.”
Paterson’s bill would amend the domestic relations law allowing civil marriages between same-sex couples, and he called on the Legislature to approve the bill.
“The timing is always right. It’s just a matter of who is willing to take the step, and I am,” said Paterson at a news conference.
The bill is similar to one that passed the Assembly in 2007 but was stonewalled by the then-GOP controlled Senate.
Democrats now control the Senate, but State Senate Majority Leader Malcolm A. Smith (D) has said he does not have the votes to pass marriage equality legislation and will not bring the bill to a vote.
Both Smith and Paterson have been outspoken supporters of marriage equality, but while Smith wants a “go slowly” approach the governor said a vote should be held this session.
The group Marriage Equality said it supports the governor’s move to end discrimination against same-sex families.
“They are taxpaying law abiding citizens just like myself and every other New Yorker and they deserve the same responsibilities, the same legal rights and respect and the Legislature should go through with this,” said spokesperson Ibby Carothers.
Lambda Legal which has fought legal challenges across the country for same-sex marriage also applauded Paterson.
Lambda President Kevin Cathcart posed the question: “New York is now bordered by four jurisdictions that provide marriage equality for same-sex couples: Massachusetts, Connecticut, Vermont, and Canada - which calls the question, ‘Why are same-sex couples in New York forced to leave their home state to obtain protection for their relationships?’”
Republicans and religious conservatives have vowed to defeat the measure. They will meet later today to discus how to block the bill in the Legislature. The meetings are being led of State Senator Reuben Diaz, a Bronx Democrat and a minister.
New York City’s new Roman Catholic Archbishop, Timothy Dolan, on Wednesday said he would actively work to ensure the measure never passes.
“You can bet I’ll be active, present and articulate,” said Dolan. “We bishops aren’t into politics, we’re into principles…I won’t shy away from the fact. I realize with gratitude and humility that the pulpit has prominence that takes some getting used to.”
Earlier this month a poll was released showing that nearly three-quarters of voters in New York State support recognition of same-sex couples, but are divided on whether that should be marriage or civil unions.
The Quinnipiac University found that 41 percent support gay marriage, while 33 percent favored civil unions. Only 19 percent said same-sex couples should have no legal recognition in the state.
In 2006, the New York Court of Appeals, the state’s highest court, ruled that same-sex couples do not have a constitutional right to marry. It said that the issue, however, could be taken up by the legislature.
Last May, while the legislature dithered over gay marriage, Paterson issued an executive order recognizing the marriages of all New York same-sex couples who were married in areas where they are legal.
Last week Vermont became the fourth state to permit same-sex marriage. Days earlier the Iowa Supreme Court struck down a law banning gay marriage as unconstitutional.
Same-sex marriage also is legal in Massachusetts and Connecticut.
Marriage equality legislation is being considered in New Hampshire. It already has passed the House and is currently before the Senate.
In California, the Supreme Court is expected to rule this spring on the legality of Prop 8 the voter approved measure banning gay marriage in that state.