Comments on: Ruby-Sachs: LGBT voters are now the masses and someone is pandering to us!

By: Pete

Pete — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 04:54:32 +0000

A governor whose numbers are already low is going to “pander” to the gay community because our tiny percentage of the vote will save him? Does any of this make sense? No.

More like Emma is repeating someone’s talking points.

No doubt she’s still upset with Gavin Newsome’s untimely move to jump start marriage equality in California. How dare some straight man give us our rights.

I’m always surprised at the timidity and conservatism of the articles on this site.

By: KLUKE

KLUKE — Sun, 19 Apr 2009 08:08:34 +0000

Good for Patterson. (But what has Obama done for LGBT Americans ?!?!)

By: Bob Green

Bob Green — Sun, 19 Apr 2009 02:46:56 +0000

You’re just wrong Emma. It’s only pandering if this person taking the position is doing it just to score political points. Governor Paterson has a history of supporting Equality. Being out in front on this is not pandering; It’s leadership.

By: montrealbren

montrealbren — Sat, 18 Apr 2009 20:36:28 +0000

We can debate the governor’s intentions for years to come. We can watch the energy-draining spats between gradualists and their counterparts for the rest of our lives. While all competing viewpoints need to be listened to and evaluated, it seems to me that we need to agree to gracefully acknowledge and welcome all efforts that benefit our minority position.
I guess I feel that we should make a much bigger deal about the fact that the governor of NY has done the right thing. And we should make clear a commitment that we will help him in his struggle against the huge battle that faces him on this issue.
Regardless of whatever prompted his decision, he’s made a move that is morally correct and politically risky. Most importantly, it’s a decision in need of seriously unified support from sexual minorities and their allies. That’s something “we the people” can do, even while we question his motives. But let’s be sure we do the right thing in the long run – support this proposed legislation. We can also say “thank you” to Gov. Patterson.

By: Brad

Brad — Sat, 18 Apr 2009 13:25:13 +0000

Gov. Paterson really does believe in equality for all. Please read his record before you accuse the guy of pandering.

I think he has not been successful because he likes open, transparent debate and healthy democracy. Albany dislikes his open style and prefers its backroom ways.

Gov. Paterson will have my vote, if he runs for re-election.

By: Trace

Trace — Sat, 18 Apr 2009 13:23:01 +0000

“Barack Obama has done more to include LGBT Americans in his formal and personal performances than any other President, but his cabinet is backtracking on all promises and endorsements that might benefit LGBT Americans (we have yet to see how much he helps in the fight for UAFA).”

You’re gonna have to clear this one up for me. Can you explain to me what Saint Obama has done? Granted, he’s been busy pandering to every other special interest group and jetting around the world being a rock star President. I mean, how can we really expect that he’d have time to address civil rights issues.

By: Aiden Raccoon

Aiden Raccoon — Sat, 18 Apr 2009 12:20:30 +0000

Budbud made the point that I have been saying all along. Marriages between gays are already legal in NY. They just have to take a 2 hour trip to another state to do pay the money and get the paperwork signed. It’s a simple technicality and that is lost revenue for NY, plain and simple.

Actually I think the exposure and vote is a good thing. Why not vote? So what if it gets voted down. That doesn’t hinder us and exposes your politicians for who they are.

By: Budbud

Budbud — Sat, 18 Apr 2009 02:06:46 +0000

This is so stupid. Gay marriages are already valid and legally recognized in New York.

The current statutory law just makes it so that New York doesn’t see any of the financial benefits of those marriages.

Vermont, Canada, Massachusets and Connecticut are ALL cashing in on license fees and marriage tourism from New Yorkers, who simply cross the border, get married and then come back to New York, WHERE THEIR GAY MARRIAGE IS ALREADY FULLY VALID!

Why is nobody talking about this? The current law is simply a legaly mandated loss of money for New York. It does NOTHING to prevent gay marriage in the state!

By: Kelpy

Kelpy — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 21:28:17 +0000

Is it also possible that Patterson is doing so because he as a blind man is also marginalized to an extent- think about money and how that affects the lives of blind people.

I’d like to think that it is the banding together of marginalized groups and hopefully ethnic minorities will follow as racism is still rampant.

By: LOrion

LOrion — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 21:21:07 +0000

and he can fire GATES!!!