NY’s Gay Marriage Bill Faces Uncertainty
November 9, 2009 by Gay Agenda News Team
Gay rights advocates have launched a final push to win support of a same-sex marriage bill in New York, as state lawmakers are slated to gather tomorrow to vote on the measure.
Gov. David Paterson has called legislators to Albany for the vote — saying he believes the measure will win enough support to sign into law. But, sources said negotiations are expected to go late into Monday night as Democratic leaders discuss whether to put the bill to a full vote in the Senate without knowing whether it will have enough votes to pass.
The State Assembly passed the bill earlier this year.
Advocates on both sides of the issue lobbied senators over the weekend, but it was still unclear whether the measure could earn the 32 votes needed for approval.
Democrats hold a shaky 32-to-30 majority in the Senate — and the measure does not have full support across the party line.
Those who favor the bill believe now might be the best time to try and push through the measure, as all 212 seats in the Legislature and the governor’s post are up for election in 2010.
The possible vote tomorrow will come just a week after Maine narrowly rejected a same-sex marriage bill.
Another reason to put your money and time into FEDERAL LEGISLATION. Forget the states.
The Federal strategy doesnt change the need for grassroots work in every state. We may not be able to win general elections but we still have to win hearts andminds through our own conversations with non-gays. Federal legislation wont change attitudes and that’s essential for equality.
You may want to change hearts and minds, but I want to change legislation. Federal legislation doesn’t have to change people’s minds. It’s a proven fact that if African-Americans had waited on people to change their minds, we would still be waiting.