Gov. Paterson unveils same-sex marriage bill: ‘It’s time to take a stand.’
By on Apr 16th, 2009 at 12:00 pm
Gov. Paterson unveils same-sex marriage bill: ‘It’s time to take a stand.’
Declaring that “it’s time to take a stand,” New York Gov. David Paterson today announced a bill to legalize gay marriage. “We come to this debate with the wind at our back,” Paterson said. “The events in Connecticut and Massachusetts, the decisions in Iowa and in Vermont, give us the feeling that we can be effective.” He emphasized that 1,300-1,400 rights would be granted to individuals that don’t exist in the case of civil unions. “Rights should not be stifled by fear,” he said. “What we should understand is that silence should not be a response to injustice.” Watch it:
In 2007, then-Gov. Elliot Spitzer also introduced marriage equality legislation, but it stalled in the New York Senate.
Update Yesterday, the Washington state legislature passed a bill ensuring "same-sex domestic partners would have all the rights and benefits that Washington state offers married couples." Gov. Christine Gregoire has said she will sign the bill.
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I’d like to preempt any anti-gay marriage posts by first positing this question. If you’re so concerned about gay marriage destroying the sanctity of straight marriage, where do you stand on divorce? Shouldn’t divorce be outlawed? Don’t heterosexual divorces ruin way more sacred marriages than gay marriage ever could?
April 16th, 2009 at 12:03 pmDon’t they know that this will break up right wing marriages everywhere? I mean, gay people getting married will ruin right wingers marriages, right?
Liberal marriages don’t seem to be as vulnerable.
April 16th, 2009 at 12:03 pmYes, we can
April 16th, 2009 at 12:06 pmBrian Crooks Says:
If you’re so concerned about gay marriage destroying the sanctity of straight marriage, where do you stand on divorce? Shouldn’t divorce be outlawed?
Henry VIII’s attempt to “redefine” marriage by removing the word “permanent” preceding “bond” must be reversed! Down with those sinful, disgusting Protestants!
April 16th, 2009 at 12:06 pmDon’t like gay marriages? Don’t get one.
problem solved
April 16th, 2009 at 12:11 pmAnother two states on the bandwagon, which is good news. Unfortunately, state-recognized marriage/civil union won’t get the couple federal benefits (like joint tax filing, Social Security, etc.).
I’m assuming there will be a point somewhere down the line where it will dawn on most of the homophobes that allowing gays to marry doesn’t cause the country to be destroyed (much in the way that most people don’t mind any longer that people of different colors drink from the same water fountain — even though there are still a few who do).
And when we reach that point, we can finally federalize the right of gays to marry, ensuring they really DO get all the same benefits of marriage as straights do.
April 16th, 2009 at 12:12 pmIn before bit self-righteously pontificates on the moral decline of our country.
April 16th, 2009 at 12:12 pmThis legalization of gay marriage is clearly a threat to my unmarried heterosexual lifestyle! :D
April 16th, 2009 at 12:13 pmMr. Bloomberg said that while people with religious beliefs may differ in their views on marriage, it is not the place of the state to decide who may and who may not marry.
Woo hoo! Somebody GETS it!
April 16th, 2009 at 12:17 pmRantingTommy Says: “Don’t they know that this will break up right wing marriages everywhere? I mean, gay people getting married will ruin right wingers marriages, right? ”
Only the right-wing gays who choose not to be “teh gay: and get married to a female of the opposite sex–unless they happen to be politicians in which case they politically can’t afford to get divorced just because of the ‘buttsecks’. Also.
April 16th, 2009 at 12:21 pmAn African American President, a female Secretary of State, gays with equal rights….
America is being taken over by Americans
No wonder the right wing is scared
April 16th, 2009 at 12:22 pmThis legalization of gay marriage is clearly a threat to my hatred of shopping on a wedding registry.
April 16th, 2009 at 12:23 pmI remember reading a post somewhere (maybe it was here) that made me lol, asking whether current laws against it are the only things preventing righties from gay-marrying each other.
April 16th, 2009 at 12:24 pmBigotry is under attack! Rushpublicans’ right to discriminate and hate and dictate is being infringed by those damned freedom-loving hippy types! Hurry! Get FOX to arrange a protest!
April 16th, 2009 at 12:26 pm“Rights should not be stifled by fear,”
You’re damn right on that one.
April 16th, 2009 at 12:26 pmPoint of internet grammar correction: You cannot be ‘teh gay’.
You can catch ‘teh gay’, but that just makes you ‘ghey’.
Also, the word is spelled ‘buttsechs’.
April 16th, 2009 at 12:26 pmdeebaser Says
April 16th, 2009 at 12:23 pm
This legalization of gay marriage is clearly a threat to my hatred of shopping on a wedding registry.
__________________________________________________________
Ah, good point. I hadn’t thought about more weddings to have to attend and buy gifts for…
April 16th, 2009 at 12:26 pmI have expressed that sentiment.
I firmly believe that most homophobia is just a manifestation of sexual repression on the part of the ‘phobe.
April 16th, 2009 at 12:27 pmAmen. The 28%ers are quickly learning that they are not what America looks like.
April 16th, 2009 at 12:27 pmWell on the plus side, as a NYer, I wont face the threat of a Destination Wedding in Iowa… /shudder
(no offense to Iowans)
April 16th, 2009 at 12:28 pmBe afraid, right wingers!
We liberals are coming to take your guns and bibles and gay marry your daughters right after their mandatory abortions!
April 16th, 2009 at 12:29 pmm’eh
April 16th, 2009 at 12:32 pmdobson was right for once. conservatives have lost the “culture war”
BWWWWHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
once again losers, americans have rebuked you!
Currently the measure does not have enough support in the State Senate…
Keep in mind this is far from being a done deal. And his motivations are probably more political than altruistic.
Still, it’s wonderful to see the country actually moving forward again after the last eight years of stagnant, theocratic Dark Ages…
April 16th, 2009 at 12:42 pmI wish I could get gay-married just so I could flaunt it in the face of my wingnut in-laws and coworkers who say teh gays are out to destroy Amurrica.
But alas, I’m already married, and hetero. Damn.
April 16th, 2009 at 12:58 pmYES! Slowly but surely gay marriage will no longer be an issue for politicians to use as a tool to gain votes.
April 16th, 2009 at 12:59 pmwags says;
I would have layed odds that ruptured rectum would beat bit to the punch.
April 16th, 2009 at 1:05 pmDaryll and bit got to the punch simultaneously. They didn’t know it was spiked punch until each had had a large quantity of what they thought was kool-aid. They are both sleeping it off – together.
April 16th, 2009 at 1:11 pmSo where are the hot spots to get married in New York State? The Hamptons? Central Park? The Finger Lakes Area? Niagara Falls? Madison Square Garden? Decisions, decisions…
I imagine the wedding biz people are ramping up for this rather lucrative segment of the market.
April 16th, 2009 at 1:15 pmfire _ant_chavis Says
April 16th, 2009 at 12:59 pm
YES! Slowly but surely gay marriage will no longer be an issue for politicians to use as a tool to gain votes.
____________________________________________________________
Which just leaves them with abortion and flag-burning. And if either one of them ever becomes illegal, it would completely steal their usefulness as a tool.
April 16th, 2009 at 1:16 pmIm really only familiar with “downstate NY”. In the City there are countless marriage spots. Central Park has at least two facilities. There are also numerous hotels with ballrooms with a view of the skyline.
As for Long Island, there are Catering Halls available for every income bracket…
Jeez… i sound like a brochure…
April 16th, 2009 at 1:23 pm:)
Well done Gov. Paterson!
April 16th, 2009 at 2:08 pmAllowing gays to marry will no more harm the backbone of society than stepping on a crack will do likewise to your mother.
April 16th, 2009 at 2:37 pmThank you kindly Gov! :)
April 16th, 2009 at 2:53 pm@ 18 –RantingTommy Says:
I agree with the sentiment and the wording was no less than genius.
April 16th, 2009 at 3:02 pmHey, if I move to New York, my chances (or risk) of getting married again will double! :-D
April 16th, 2009 at 4:43 pmIt’s about the only thing this nit-wit gov has done right.But folks it’s pandering in it’s most explicit imagery.Patterson screwed himself by appointing a female Joe Liberman,Christin Gillerbrand(sp) to HClinton’s vacated senate seat & this is an attempt by Gov Patterson to be seen in a good light by the “librul” community of NY.
April 16th, 2009 at 5:10 pmThe Governor hasn’t done a terrific job of protecting vulnerable citizens from budget cuts, but I love it when he talks this way.
April 16th, 2009 at 5:34 pmPost 21: RantingTommy Says:
Be afraid, right wingers!
We liberals are coming to take your guns and bibles and gay marry your daughters right after their mandatory abortions!
Don’t forget that we’re going to tax the HELL out of them too (well only the rich jerks).
April 16th, 2009 at 7:56 pmOK Pat obviously senile dementia has set in. Time to see the nice young men that will need to take care of you soon.burun estetigi rent a car arac kiralama
April 18th, 2009 at 5:16 amsac ekimi