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N.Y. Gov. to Renew Same-Sex Marriage Push



New York governor David Paterson said on Wednesday that he would reintroduce legislation to legalize same-sex marriage.

According to reports , the legislation will mirror a program bill for same-sex marriage introduced in 2007 by former governor Eliot Spitzer. Paterson will introduce the legislation before an annual gay rights lobby day scheduled for April 28 in Albany, the state capital.

"We'll put a bill out and let the people decide one way or the other," the governor said on WHCU-AM in Ithaca.

Last May, Governor Paterson signed a directive to recognize same-sex marriages performed in other states. That growing list now includes Massachusetts, Connecticut, Iowa, and Vermont.

The New York state assembly passed legislation to legalize same-sex marriage in 2007, but it stalled in the senate, which was then controlled by Republicans. Senate leaders say they remain a few votes short of the 32 needed for passage, although Democrats now control both chambers of the legislature.

A new Quinnipiac University poll shows that, given three choices, 41% of New Yorkers believe same-sex couples should be allowed to marry, 33% support civil unions, and 19% think there should be no legal recognition.

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Reader Comments
  • Name: Charlotte
    Date posted: 4/10/2009 3:37:00 AM
    Hometown: Melbourne, Australia

    Comment:

    Lets hope this (and the other states before it) becomes a precendent for all states and countries to take lead and show the equality that we all deserve

  • Name: otterb
    Date posted: 4/9/2009 11:49:00 PM
    Hometown: caz, ny

    Comment:

    OMG! "WOOO HOOO", My ASS! Don't think for one minute that Patterson is going to spend any of his rapidly shrinking political capital to actually get this THRU the senate. TO be truly FAIR, this bill ought to be a vote to grant marriage rights for everyone or NO ONE. In other words, pass this sucker or you're all out of luck, straights too. What an IDEA! HOld some other people's rights hostage, and see how they like it! Let's cry "whoo hooo" when WE get to vote on whether or not to grant marriage rights to Breeders. There's some equal protection for ya!

  • Name: Diane
    Date posted: 4/9/2009 8:53:00 PM
    Hometown: Ohio

    Comment:

    Yea Gov. Paterson! This is the right thing to do. Especially after yesterday's news that NY was doing an advertising blitz aimed toward the GLBT community for tourism! The "and let the people decide" part reminds me of the Media that Matters Film Festival piece, entitled "Permission" Google it! Imagine if "all people" had to go around asking for permission...Thanks again for doing the right thing!

  • Name: Laurent
    Date posted: 4/9/2009 8:27:00 PM
    Hometown: Ottawa, Canada

    Comment:

    And the blind shall lead them, maybe a bill introduced by the Governeor will have a better chance in both houses for passage. I wish them luck and will be following this particular race closely, because with N.Y. going for gay marriage, then almost all the original colonies will be passing marriage rights for same sex couples. A lesson for the rest of the country.

  • Name: Chickster
    Date posted: 4/9/2009 7:39:00 PM
    Hometown: Massachusetts

    Comment:

    WOO HOOO!!! You go Governor! May GOD bless America and YOU!

  • Name: Bruce
    Date posted: 4/9/2009 2:43:00 PM
    Hometown: New Hartford

    Comment:

    Thank you, Gov. Paterson! May my home state help lead the struggle for fairness AND righteousness. Those intolerant religious conservatives do NOT speak for God.

  • Name: 1of18000
    Date posted: 4/9/2009 1:56:00 PM
    Hometown: London

    Comment:

    Hurray for Gov. Patterson! There's one thing I don't understand. What does he mean by "let the people decide"? If the bill is passed by the legislature, doesn't it become law?

  • Name: anto
    Date posted: 4/9/2009 12:39:00 PM
    Hometown: dublin

    Comment:

    GO GO GO bless his cotton socks, Paterson must be thanked for all his efforts and in any and all elections remember to get out and vote for him, Pet Shop Boys new cd YES is out, please by it and support this amazing group,

  • Name: Shirley Drouin
    Date posted: 4/9/2009 12:36:00 PM
    Hometown: Paducah, Ky.

    Comment:

    Three cheers for Governor Patterson!! He knows bigotry when he sees it. I hope NY will join the enlightened States and fair minded people of this country.

  • Name: Ginelle
    Date posted: 4/9/2009 11:39:00 AM
    Hometown: British Columbia, Canada

    Comment:

    I could not have said it any better Roger from Marble Hill, MO! I hope Governor Paterson will finally be able to get this marriage equality law passed in the Empire State so that he may sign it off once and for all, and then get onto other pressing issues such as the economy and getting people back to work!



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