ITP SOCIAL JUSTICE:New York Assembly approves same-sex marriage

The New York State Assembly just approved a same sex marriage bill as it faces a vote in the New York State Senate.
@otepofficial NY, call 202.684.2471 Ask for Mark Grisanti. Ask to Vote Yes for the Marriage Equality Act. Call+leave a message for him.
FROM CNN.COM:
CNN) -- New York's state Assembly Wednesday night approved a same-sex marriage bill, sending it to the Senate, where it faces a closer vote.

The Marriage Equality Act passed the Assembly 80-63.

It would grant same-sex couples equal rights to marry "as well as hundreds of rights, benefits and protections that are currently limited to married couples of the opposite sex," according to Gov. Andrew Cuomo's office.

"This is an immense step toward achieving true equality for all here in New York," said Democratic Assemblyman Daniel O'Donnell, who argued that he and his partner should be allowed to marry.

Wednesday night's debate included discussion of religious, traditions, customs and families. Small gay rights flags decorated many desks in the chamber.

Same-sex marriage is a fundamental human right, said Democratic Assemblyman Richard Gottfried during the debate.

Democratic Assemblyman Micah Kellner also supported the bill, saying, "This is about people's happiness."

Republicans defended their opposition, saying it did not mean they were intolerant.

"It doesn't make me a bigot," said Assemblyman Steve McLaughlin. "It makes me a traditional American."

"Marriage to me has a separate importance and it has to do with a man and a woman," said Republican Nancy Calhoun.

Senate Republicans also met Wednesday on the issue, and discussed the law's wording.

There was no decision on when it may come to the floor. A vote there likely won't happen until Friday, at the earliest.

The state Senate rejected a bill to legalize same-sex marriage in 2009. Wednesday's vote was the fourth time same-sex marriages were approved in the Assembly, according to O'Donnell.

Currently, 31 senators, including two Republicans, are in favor of the bill. Backers need one more GOP member to vote in favor for it to pass.

Although New York does not grant same-sex marriages, a 2008 appellate court ruling upheld the right of couples to have their same-sex marriages recognized if they are performed elsewhere.

The act would amend the state's Domestic Relations Law to say, among other changes, that "no application for a marriage license shall be denied on the ground that the parties are of the same or a different sex."

Five states -- Massachusetts, Connecticut, Iowa, Vermont and New Hampshire -- and the District of Columbia currently grant same-sex marriage licenses.

The issue also is being debated in California, where a federal judge ruled Tuesday that another judge who ruled against a ban on same-sex marriage and later revealed that he is gay showed no evidence he was prejudiced in the case. Supporters of the ban said they would appeal.
FROM REUTERS:
Reuters) - New York could become the sixth state to allow gay marriage if one more Republican senator supports the move in a possible vote Friday.

The state-by-state battle over gay marriage has become a contentious social issue ahead of the presidential and congressional elections. Five states and the District of Columbia allow gay marriage and four states have civil unions.

Two Republican senators have already publicly said they will back the marriage equality bill introduced by Governor Andrew Cuomo, a Democrat, while one Democrat senator opposes it -- leaving New York's 62 member upper house split.

Republican senators spent several hours privately discussing same-sex marriage Wednesday and met again on Thursday, when they were joined by New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, a supporter of gay marriage.

Many observers say at least two or three Republicans would need to agree to support legalizing gay marriage to avoid a single senator becoming known for casting the deciding vote, which would be unpopular with some conservative voters.

With lawmakers set to break for summer recess Monday, it still remained unclear if the measure would succeed or fail. A vote could be held Friday although timing is uncertain.

"I asked them to follow their hearts and their principles, and if they do I believe New York will become the next state to pass marriage equality," Bloomberg told reporters.

Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos said the mayor gave "a thoughtful presentation."

The Democrat-dominated Assembly voted 80 to 63 in favor of the bill Wednesday and if it is passed by the senate, New York would become the most populous U.S. state to allow gay marriage approved by lawmakers.

In California a judge last year overturned a ban on gay marriage, but no weddings can take place while the decision is being appealed. It could set national policy if the case reaches the Supreme Court.

LOBBYISTS FLOCK TO CAPITAL

Connecticut, Iowa, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont and the District of Columbia allow same-sex marriage, and Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois and New Jersey approved civil unions. But gay marriage is specifically banned in 39 states.

The first legal same-sex marriages in the United States took place in Massachusetts in 2004.

During the debate in New York's lower house, Assemblywoman Deborah Glick, the first openly gay member of the New York state legislature, asked that lawmakers "respect the humanity of the LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) people who are your constituents."

Along with Bloomberg, lobbyists from both sides of the debate headed to the state capital Albany this week.

"Sex and the City" actress Cynthia Nixon and New York Ranger ice hockey player Sean Avery were in Albany Tuesday to push for legalizing gay marriage. Nixon has been engaged for two years to a woman and wants to get married in her home state.

Rev. Duane Motley, a Christian lobbyist, said in Albany on Wednesday that legalizing gay marriage would "undermine the stability of our society" because he said a child of a gay couple could only have one biological parent.

Cuomo has political capital to spend with the Republicans after closing a $10 billion budget gap without raising taxes.

The issue may also help Cuomo solidify his liberal base after he alienated many with an austere budget that cut spending on education, healthcare and social programs. He also angered some Democrats by opposing the extension of an income tax surcharge on the state's wealthiest residents.

A recent Siena poll found 58 percent of New Yorkers support same-sex marriage.

If the bill passes, same-sex couples could start marrying in New York 30 days later. The bill does not compel any member of the clergy to conduct same-sex marriages.
MSNBC COVERAGE OF GAY MARRIAGE POLITICAL VOLLEYBALL:

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