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NY marriage equality advocates see significant progress
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The issue of same-sex marriage became a major bargaining chip in the negotiations that ultimately culminated yesterday in an agreement that will leave Senate Democratic Leader (D – Queens) as leader of the Party’s senate conference, but put the hot button issue off the table during the coming session, with the reason being publicly offered that there aren’t enough votes to pass the bill, which right now is probably true.
“If it were to go to vote today, I don’t think it would pass,” said Ron Zacchi, executive director of Marriage Equality New York in an interview this afternoon..
So are the prospects for same sex marriage in New York dead?
The answer is far from yes. During the past two legislative sessions the State Assembly passed legislation legalizing same sex marriage and Democratic Governor David A. Paterson has said that he supports the legislation and that if a bill were to reach his desk, he’d sign it, leaving the State Senate as the only barrier blocking the legalization of same sex marriage in New York.
Zacchi told me that when the legislature returns in January his organization will be out in force in Albany meeting with Senators and reminding them that the marriage equality is a civil rights issue, not a question of moral values. He believes that if they work hard, they can line up the support and the issue will go to a vote and pass.
Did the 2008 elections, in which Democrats have just regained a majority of seats for the first time in over 50 years advance the cause of legalizing same sex marriage? While Zacchi said he's leavving the politics to the politicians, he absolutely sees progress.
We went from having a Senate leader who was so much against this civil rights issue that he wouldn’t even meet with us to having a leader who is not only open to, but supports same sex marriage. We’ve seen great progress and I believe that our community will soon get this civil right.
But he’s not waiting until January to get the ball rolling. Just moments after our interview, he sent out the following Facebook message.
Sen. Malcolm Smith has time and again pledged his support for marriage equality for all families. At this time, MENY has no indication that this has changed.
Friendly and politely, contact Senator Malcolm Smith's office.
District Office- Tel: (718) 528-4290
Albany Office- Tel: (518) 455-2701
1) Thank him for the pledge of his support for marriage equality.
2) Ask him "Are you still committed to bringing the marriage bill to the floor when it has enough votes to pass?"
3) Let him know that we would appreciate a public statement in regards to his intention.
We are awaiting confirmation, from Senator Smith, that he still holds true to his promise to bring marriage equality to the Senate floor for a vote. It has always been an understanding that this bill would not come to the floor until it has the votes to pass.
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