Politics on the Hudson

   Lawmakers have been sending out statements in response to the California Supreme Court decision today to uphold Proposition 8, which banned same-sex marriage. The New York Assembly passed same-sex marriage legislation a few weeks ago. The Senate has not voted on the measure yet this session:

From Sen. Liz Krueger, D-Manhattan:
   “I am extremely disappointed and saddened by the California Supreme Court decision to uphold Proposition 8, which bans same sex marriage.  The New York State Senate must take this opportunity to affirm its belief that all people are equal by acting quickly and decisively and passing marriage equality legislation.  All citizens are entitled to equal rights and that will not be the case until same sex marriage is recognized.”

From Sen. Thomas Duane, D-Manhattan:
   “Today’s 6-1 decision by the California Supreme Court to uphold Proposition 8 is an outrage. To allow discrimination under a state’s constitution is morally wrong. The Court’s recognition of pre-Proposition 8 marriages proves just how arbitrary courts and lawmakers can be in deciding who has the right to be married.”

“I sympathize with the thousands of same-sex couples in California who have been told by their high court, the very same court that previously granted them the right to marriage, that their love and commitment will not be recognized. I understand their pain because the New York Court of Appeals also issued a dubious and shameful opinion denying same-sex civil marriage in New York State.”

   Duane, who is openly gay, said he is confident the Senate will pass same-sex civil marriage legislation “in the near future.” The regular legislative session is scheduled to end in four weeks.

   New Yorkers for Constitutional Freedoms issued a statement congratulating ProtectMarriage.com, the National Organization for Marriage and other groups that worked on getting Proposition 8 passed last year. The Rev. Duane Motley, executive director of the New York group, said he is disappointed that the California court’s decision to recognize same-sex marriage licenses granted before Proposition 8 was passed.

“Today’s ruling is proof positive that same-sex marriage across the nation is not inevitable. In Maine, the people’s voice will soon be heard. In New Hampshire, there was a snag on the way to what same-sex marriage advocates called an inevitability. Today, California’s highest court affirmed the resounding voice of the people. The tide has turned, and it is favoring the traditional definition of marriage.

   Motley’s group is urging the Senate to oppose same-sex marriage legislation.

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