Debate Builds Over Same-Sex Marriage
The debate over legalizing same-sex marriage in New York will heat up over the next day as Gov. David Paterson has put the measure on tomorrow’s special session agenda.
It remains unclear whether the bill will make it to the Senate floor, and if does whether it would get approved. The Assembly passed the measure in June.
Paterson said Friday that he expects the measure would pass if it’s brought to a vote.
“I certainly think if it was put on the floor it would be a very close vote,” he told Gannett’s Albany bureau. “My belief is that it would pass. But I think it’s one of those issues that you only really find out when people vote on it.”
To boost the bill’s chances, the Empire State Pride Agenda this morning put out the names of 700 clergy and lay leaders in the state who support the legislation. The list is below.
But Jason McGuire, legislative director for New Yorkers For Constitutional Freedoms, said the bill’s chance of passage has gotten less likely after the results of the 23rd Congressional District race, in which Republican candidate Dede Scozzafava—who voted for the marriage equality bill in the Assembly in June—was pushed out of the race by conservatives.
“It’s a desperate attempt right now,” McGuire said. “Those who are advocating for same-sex marriage realize that the window of opportunity is quickly closing and I would argue it’s closed.”
He added, that “I just don’t think there are any moderate Democrats or Republicans that can afford to vote for same-sex marriage now.”
700 Clergy and Lay Leaders Support Marriage
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