New York Assembly passes same-sex marriage legislation
By Michael J.W. Stickings
About a month ago, I posted, with enthusiastic praise, on New York Governor David Paterson's intention to introduce legislation legalizing same-sex marriage. Well, the legislation was introduced, and yesterday it passed its first major hurdle:
It's now on to the Senate, with the battle between supporters and opponents across the state hardening. What is clear, though, is that the trend in New York is in the right direction, with support for the legalization of same-sex marriage expanding. We see this elsewhere, too. Just a few years ago, let alone a decade or two ago, legalization even in mostly liberal states was simply not on the table.
But America has changed for the better, and is changing still, and now, at long last, the state-approved bigotry that has kept gays and lesbians apart from their fellow citizens, and that has denied them their civil rights, is being rolled back and, one hopes, obliterated. There is still such bigotry out there, of course, in the hearts and minds of many, as well as in the laws of states from coast to coast, but at least, at the very least, states like New York are leading the way into a more just future.
About a month ago, I posted, with enthusiastic praise, on New York Governor David Paterson's intention to introduce legislation legalizing same-sex marriage. Well, the legislation was introduced, and yesterday it passed its first major hurdle:
The State Assembly approved legislation on Tuesday night that would make New York the sixth state to allow same-sex marriage — a pivotal vote that shifts the debate to the State Senate, where gay rights advocates and conservative groups alike are redoubling their efforts.
In a sign of how opinion in Albany has shifted on the issue, several members of the Assembly who voted against the measure in 2007 voted in favor of it on Tuesday.
The final vote was 89 to 52, including the backing of five Republicans.
It's now on to the Senate, with the battle between supporters and opponents across the state hardening. What is clear, though, is that the trend in New York is in the right direction, with support for the legalization of same-sex marriage expanding. We see this elsewhere, too. Just a few years ago, let alone a decade or two ago, legalization even in mostly liberal states was simply not on the table.
But America has changed for the better, and is changing still, and now, at long last, the state-approved bigotry that has kept gays and lesbians apart from their fellow citizens, and that has denied them their civil rights, is being rolled back and, one hopes, obliterated. There is still such bigotry out there, of course, in the hearts and minds of many, as well as in the laws of states from coast to coast, but at least, at the very least, states like New York are leading the way into a more just future.
Labels: New York, same-sex marriage
posted by Michael J.W. Stickings at
10:15 AM
3 Comments:
HUGE THANKS to Governor Paterson for his efforts to bring equal rights to New York State.
Governor, please keep doing what you're doing. Voters will appreciate it someday.
By
Anonymous, at 11:22 AM
hmm... i think that this will be over thrown soon. when the elections come again this will be one of the things the candidates will have to talk about, and there are more who are against it then those who are for it.
but we'll see...
By
Gennadiy Khotinskiy, at 5:09 PM
They said the same thing about voting rights for women, misogyny laws -- and most of the civil rights movement's successes, in fact.
Just what is there about freedom that bothers you so much?
By
Capt. Fogg, at 8:52 AM
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