Battle Over Same-Sex Marriage Continues

Posted by: Joseph Spector - Posted in Uncategorized on Jun 09, 2009

With all the turmoil in the Senate, the Empire State Pride Agenda today called for the Senate to vote on legislation that would legalize same-sex marriages in New York.

“It is time to bring marriage equality and these other LGBT issues to the Senate floor for votes and have members vote their conscience. We urge the Senate to schedule these votes as soon as possible before the end of the legislative session,” the group said.

Meanwhile, opponents of same-sex marriage were rallying at the state Capitol today and meeting with senators to fight the legislation.

“I believe we are going to block that legislation for the rest of the session,” said the Rev. Jason McGuire, legislative director for New Yorkers For Constitutional Freedoms.

But new Senate President Pedro Espada, D-Bronx, who supports same-sex marriage, said today that he supports bringing the measure to the floor for a vote, saying the Senate shouldn’t only vote on bills that are sure to pass.

Former Senate Majority Leader Malcolm Smith, D-Queens, refused to bring the measure to the floor unless the 32 votes are secure.

Here’s the Empire Pride Agenda’s statement:

“The Empire State Pride Agenda and our allies have fought hard to make sure that same-sex couples in New York are given access to marriage and the 1,324 rights and responsibilities that come with a state marriage license. We have also fought hard to end legal discrimination against transgender New Yorkers and bias-based harassment in schools.

The marriage equality bill recently passed by an overwhelming margin in the State Assembly and was gaining momentum in the State Senate as the end of the session approached. The same is true for the Gender Expression Non-Discrimination Act and the Dignity for All Students Act.

Our issues are not partisan issues. They are about equal rights for hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers who are treated like second class citizens. Our hope and expectation is that yesterday’s events will not derail efforts by our community to win the equality we so desperately need.

It is time to bring marriage equality and these other LGBT issues to the Senate floor for votes and have members vote their conscience. We urge the Senate to schedule these votes as soon as possible before the end of the legislative session.”