Same-Sex Marriage Debate Underway
The state Senate started its debate on same-sex marriage a little before 12:30 this afternoon, and the sides were imploring their colleagues to vote one way or another.
You can watch it live here.
Sen. Thomas Duane, D-Manhattan, who is gay and the bill’s sponsor, asked his colleagues to give him the same rights that the rest of the people in the chamber have.
Sen. Ruben Diaz, D-Bronx, a major opponent of the bill, said the issue should be decided by voters at the polls, not by politicians or judges. He encouraged Democrats and Republicans—whose votes will be needed to pass the bill—to stand up for family values.
He said if the measure was brought to a vote of the public, it would fail.
“Let the people decide,” Diaz said.
Sen. Eric Schneiderman, D-Manhattan, told his colleagues to vote in favor of the bill, saying “vote for justice. Vote for equality.”
He said the issue is not about morality or religion.
“You can’t legislate morality, but you can legislate justice,” he said.
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