Gay Marriage Opponent Admits ‘Nothing Would Happen’ If Marriage Equality Is Enacted

This is the third of three reports ThinkProgress filed from the anti-gay marriage rally in Bronx, New York. Read our two other reports here and here.

ThinkProgress spoke to New York Assemblyman Marcos Crespo during yesterday’s anti-gay marriage rally in the Bronx. Crespo reiterated the event’s public theme — the Church has nothing against gay people themselves, it just don’t want them to enter into state-recognized relationships — and said that his opposition to equality rested in his religious beliefs and those of the community he represents. But asked what would happen if gay people became legal, Crespo admitted that little, if anything, would actually change:

VOLSKY: What do you think would happen if gays were allowed to marry?

CRESPO: Nothing would happen. The sky ain’t gonna fall and the world ain’t gonna end. I respect my brothers and sisters on the other side this is not a message of hate. I find it insulting when people believe that because of our position on traditional marriage that it’s somehow a homophobic statement — it’s not the case.

VOLSKY: But then if there is no negative consequences, why are you guys here though?

CRESPO: Because we support traditional marriage based not only on our biblical beliefs but we what we believe is in the best interest of our community. That’s it.

Watch it:

It’s unclear how civil marriage would interfere with Crespo’s religious definition, since his church would not be forced to perform same-sex ceremonies. Good As You’s Jeremy Hooper raised a similar question with another of the rally’s organizers without getting a definitive answer.