This is repost of yesterday's diary, but we're in the home stretch and need as many people as possible to help make calls.
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The NY State Assembly (our version of a House of Representatives) passed the Gay Marriage bill on May 12th, 2009 by a margin of 89-52 and had the backing of five republicans.
http://www.nytimes.com/...
Since then, however, the bill has been in limbo in the NY State Senate.
Governor Paterson has long stated his support for the bill and has in fact been pushing for the bill since he came to office.
Today, we NYers need your help Kossacks!
Please rec so this issue can get as much attention as possible. We need as much help as we can get!
**UPDATE**
There is one additional item to consider. New York State already recognizes same sex marriages legally performed elsewhere, i.e., Connecticut, Canada, Iowa, etc.
To allow same sex marriages in New York State directly would be a natural extension of existing NY law.
Please point this out when you make calls! With the Senators I've spoken to thus far, that has seemed to be a pertinent point for them.
Even with the heartbreaking setback in Maine just a few days ago we have an opportunity to advance the cause of LGBT rights in this country. Not only is New York considered a mecca for the LGBT community, we do not have a referendum process that would put this bill up to the whims of the electorate.
In other words, if we can get the State Senate to pass the bill then New York LGBT citizens will have all of the rights afforded at the state level, and it would be exceedingly difficult for the anti-gay forces to overturn it.
It would present a symbolic and real victory in the way that California, that other great "blue bastion" of democratic progress, was a defeat (legally and psychologically) for us last year.
And given the fact that New York houses the largest, or second largest, gay population in the country, it would also represent a huge victory in the long path toward continued legal enfranchisement.
That said, I just got off the phone with the office of the bill's author, Senator Thomas Duane. I'm sure many of you remember Senator Duane from his impassioned speech on HIV/AIDS funding earlier this year:
Senator Duane's office assured me they have the votes to allow the bill to pass the Senate, but I think we should do what we can to aid them in this effort.
Again, Governor Paterson has stated that he will sign the bill if it becomes law, so this is truly the final hurdle!
The following individuals have co-sponsored the bill:
19 co-sponsors
Senator Thomas Duane
Senator Eric Adams
Senator Neil Breslin
Senator Martin Dilan
Senator Pedro Espada
Senator Craig Johnson
Senator Jeffrey Klein
Senator Liz Krueger
Senator Velmanette Montgomery
Senator Suzi Oppenheimer
Senator Kevin Parker
Senator Bill Perkins
Senator Diane Savino
Senator Eric Schneiderman
Senator Jose Serrano
Senator Daniel Squadron
Senator Toby Stavisky
Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins
Senator Antoine Thompson
We need 32 senators in order for the bill to pass. The following are individuals who did not co-sponsor. This does not necessarily mean they are not supportive, but every call of support can help!
Contact information is here: http://www.nysenate.gov/...
Democratic Non-co-sponsors
Senator Joseph Addabbo - Maybe / Unstated
Senator Darrel Aubertine - No, but receptive to out-of-state argument
Senator Ruben Diaz - No
Senator Brian Foley - Maybe / Unstated
Senator Ruth Hassell-Thompson - Maybe / Unstated
Senator Shirley Huntley - Maybe / Unstated
Senator Carl Kruger - Maybe / Unstated
Senator Hiram Monserrate - Maybe / Unstated
Senator George Onorato - No
Senator John Sampson - Maybe / Unstated
Senator Malcolm Smith - Maybe / Unstated
Senator William Stachowski - No, but receptive to out-of-state argument
Senator David Valesky - Maybe / Unstated
**UPDATE II**
All Maybe/Unstated responded positively to the argument that LGBT couples already have their marriages recognized when they're performed across state lines, and in Canada, so it only makes sense to lift that final barrier and allow LGBT couples to marry in their native state.
Not to mention the billions that are spent on marriages that would go to state coffers. That particular bit perked Senator Hassell-Thompson's office up with a strong "Absolutely! You're right!" after starting off somewhat tepidly.
Even Senator Aubertine's office responded a bit positively when confronted with that information despite starting off with a "No" confirmation.
Still making calls
Republican Non-co-sponsors
Senator Charles Fuschillo
Senator Hugh Farley
Senator James Alesi
Senator John Bonacic
Senator John DeFrancisco
Senator John Flanagan
Senator Martin Golden
Senator Joseph Griffo
Senator Kemp Hannon
Senator Owen Johnson
Senator Andrew Lanza - Maybe / Unstated
Senator William Larkin
Senator Kenneth LaValle
Senator Vincent Leibell
Senator Tom Libous
Senator Elizabeth (Betty) Little
Senator Carl Marcellino
Senator George Maziarz
Senator Roy McDonald
Senator Thomas Morahan
Senator Michael Nozzolio
Senator Frank Padavan
Senator Michael Ranzenhofer
Senator Joseph Robach
Senator Stephen Saland
Senator James Seward
Senator Dean Skelos
Senator Dale Volker
Senator George H. Winner
Senator Catherine Young
We need your help everyone. Please do what you can and call those senators!
**UPDATE III**
NYC Council Speaker Christine Quinn urges passage of the Gay Marriage Bill today in the Senate:
h/t to Towleroad.com
***UPDATE IV***
In light of the recent reports that the vote has been delayed, I contacted Senator Montgomery (my senator) and Senator Duane's offices. This is what they had to say:
- The Bill is not dead today. They're only in recess and will go back to the floor this evening.
- Senator Duane's office reiterated that he's got the votes to make this pass. Apparently there are procedural delay tactics that people like Senator Diaz are using to keep the vote off the floor in part because they know they're going to lose.
- Governor Paterson may be able to force the vote over the wishes of the senate committee. Senator Duane and company are investigating this option.
- Please continue calling your senators. This is not over by any stretch. The leaks earlier today may have been timed to prevent the pressure for a vote to take place. We've got to keep it up. They are going back for another session tonight!