Politics on the Hudson

In perhaps the most emotional moment of the same-sex marriage debate so far today, Sen. Ruth Hassell-Thompson, D-Mount Vernon, Westchester County, talked about her gay brother who was born in 1930 and fled to France as a gay adult.

She said it was the first time she’s talked publicly about her brother and went on to talk about how she sought him out throughout Europe and later reconnected with him.

Hassell-Thompson had not indicated publicly until today whether she would support the same-sex marriage bill, but she said she would vote for it.

She said the decision wasn’t easy—she comes from a religious family and her sister is a minister.

She said, “People have a right to choose.”

When she sat down after her speech on the Senate floor, she got choked up as Sen. Thomas Duane, D-Manhattan, the bill’s sponsor, embraced her and thanked her. She also received applause from some in the gallery.

Earlier, Sen. David Valesky, D-Syracuse, said he would vote in favor of the legislation after initially saying he was opposed and then later said that he’s undecided.

It’s still unclear whether the legislation will pass.

No Republicans have spoken so far.

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