NY governor introduces bill to allow gay marriage

[garbon]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090416/ap_on_re_us/gay_marriage_new_york

NEW YORK – Gov. David Paterson announced plans Thursday to legalize same-sex marriage in New York, making a political gamble that he can ride the momentum of other states that have recently allowed the practice.

The proposal is the same bill the Democrat-controlled state Assembly passed in 2007 before it died in the Senate, where the Republican majority kept it from going to a vote. Democrats now control the Senate, but opponents are vowing to make sure this one fails, as well.

The governor's approval ratings have plunged to below 20 percent, and it's still unclear how the legislation will play in the state. Paterson says gay marriage is a crucial issue of equal rights in America that cannot be ignored.

"I'm introducing a bill to bring marriage equality to the state of New York," Paterson said to applause, surrounded by leaders including Mayor Michael Bloomberg and City Council Speaker Christine Quinn.

Paterson, who is black, framed the issue in sweeping terms, invoking Frederick Douglass and Harriet Beecher Stowe and drawing a parallel between the fight to eliminate slavery in the 1800s to the current effort to allow gay marriage.

"Rights should not be stifled by fear. What we should understand is that silence should not be a response to injustice. And that if we take not action, we will surely lose," Paterson said.

Paterson said gay and lesbian couples are denied as many as 1,350 civil protections — such as health care and pension rights — because they cannot marry.

At the same time Paterson was to announce his proposal, Sen. Ruben Diaz of the Bronx, an opponent of same-sex marriage, planned to meet with religious leaders to discuss how to block the bill.

Diaz, who is an evangelical pastor, said his meeting in the Bronx was to inform Hispanics, Catholics, evangelicals and others opposed to same-sex marriage of their options to prevent the bill's passage.

Diaz also said it is "disrespectful" of Paterson to introduce the legislation in the same week that Catholics celebrated the installation of New York City Archbishop Timothy Dolan.

Paterson attended the ceremony Wednesday at St. Patrick's Cathedral.

"I think it's a laugh in the face of the new archbishop," Diaz said Thursday before the start of his meeting. "The Jews just finished their holy week. The Catholics just received the new archbishop. The evangelical Christians just celebrated Good Friday and resurrection. He comes out to do this at this time? It's a challenge the governor is sending to every religious person in New York and the time for us has come for us to accept the challenge."

Dislikes fatties and supports gays!

[Valmy]

"I think it's a laugh in the face of the new archbishop," Diaz said Thursday before the start of his meeting. "The Jews just finished their holy week. The Catholics just received the new archbishop. The evangelical Christians just celebrated Good Friday and resurrection. He comes out to do this at this time? It's a challenge the governor is sending to every religious person in New York and the time for us has come for us to accept the challenge."

Does the bill forbid religious people from doing anything?  Does it demand they do something they are not already doing?  I guess I am having a hard time seeing the religious message.

[Neil]

"I think it's a laugh in the face of the new archbishop," Diaz said Thursday before the start of his meeting. "The Jews just finished their holy week. The Catholics just received the new archbishop. The evangelical Christians just celebrated Good Friday and resurrection. He comes out to do this at this time? It's a challenge the governor is sending to every religious person in New York and the time for us has come for us to accept the challenge."

Does the bill forbid religious people from doing anything?  Does it demand they do something they are not already doing?  I guess I am having a hard time seeing the religious message.

It denies them the ability to use their strength to prevent gays from marrying.  And since opposing Martinus is every citizen's duty, this bill is intollerable.

[crazy canuck]

And since opposing Martinus is every citizen's duty, this bill is intollerable.

I have thought for a while now that Martinus is actually a GOP sow whose sole mission is to plant seeds of intolerance against Gays. 

[Berkut]

And since opposing Martinus is every citizen's duty, this bill is intollerable.

I have thought for a while now that Martinus is actually a GOP plant whose sole mission is to plant seeds of intolerance against Gays. 

Marty plants entire trees of intolerance.

[Faeelin]

Does the bill forbid religious people from doing anything?  Does it demand they do something they are not already doing?  I guess I am having a hard time seeing the religious message.

The religious message is obvious. Gays are intolerable and must be stopped from being treated equally at all costs, because the Catholic Church's religious views gain precedent.

[Caliga]

Paterson's motives are a bit suspect right now, since he's extremely unpopular in NY state.

[Berkut]

Paterson's motives are a bit suspect right now, since he's extremely unpopular in NY state.

That is a bit over-stated. State government in general is unpopular in New York State right now, and he is the guy who is forcing through some much needed budget reform, which of course has a pretty serious political cost.

[charliebear]

What is wrong with gay marriage?  I see it as a savior for our economy.  Consider this:  gift registration boosts retail sales, the floral industry thrives, and reception hall reservations increase.  Why is this a bad thing?

[Caliga]

What is wrong with gay marriage?  I see it as a savior for our economy.  Consider this:  gift registration boosts retail sales, the floral industry thrives, and reception hall reservations increase.  Why is this a bad thing?

Because homosexual behavior is TEH EV0L 

[charliebear]

What is wrong with gay marriage?  I see it as a savior for our economy.  Consider this:  gift registration boosts retail sales, the floral industry thrives, and reception hall reservations increase.  Why is this a bad thing?

Because homosexual behavior is TEH EV0L 

Ohfercryinoutloud.  Don't look, then.

[garbon]

Ohfercryinoutloud.  Don't look, then.

One can't help it. They spring it all up in your faces. Like homosexuals are okay, as long as they aren't so gay about it.

[charliebear]

Ohfercryinoutloud.  Don't look, then.

One can't help it. They spring it all up in your faces. Like homosexuals are okay, as long as they aren't so gay about it.

[Vince]

What is wrong with gay marriage?  I see it as a savior for our economy.  Consider this:  gift registration boosts retail sales, the floral industry thrives, and reception hall reservations increase.  Why is this a bad thing?

Because homosexual behavior is TEH EV0L 

You silly Kentucky people.  You should know to us New Yorkers TEH EV0L is Boston area sports.   

[garbon]

Seriously. It becomes a problem when they go on flaunting their homosexuality and try to seduce others to their lifestyle. I don't understand why they put so much emphasis on sex.