Subscribe to Breaking NewsVanasco: Gay marriage endangered in New York
There was one consolation for me on election night, after the anti-gay Proposition 8 was heading toward a win in California:
New York was going to get gay marriage.
The state assembly had passed an equal marriage bill that the governor had said he would sign. The only thing that was holding it up was the Republican majority in the state senate, which refused to bring it to a vote.
But on election night, Democrats took control of the NY state legislature for the first time since 1966. New York seemed assured of getting marriage – possibly within the year, almost definitely in two.
Until four Democratic NY senators threatened this week to leave the Democratic caucus.
Why? Two reasons. One, they don’t want to support Malcolm A. Smith as speaker – because, they say, there is already a black president and a black governor, and they want power to be shared more equally with the Latino community.
Two: Ruben Diaz Senior, a Pentecostal minister in the Bronx, told the New York Times that he “could not support as leader any lawmaker who would help make gay marriage become law.”
I’m sure the gay losses in California, Arkansas, Arizona and Florida on Tuesday will only support Diaz in his belief that leaving gays out of marriage is OK.
But let’s not let marriage in New York be another casualty of Election Day. Equal marriage is worth fighting for – let’s put the same energy into it as we put into cold calling and canvassing for the Obama campaign.
Hey, Blackstreet….
Obama’s first change: Rahm Emanuel
Career Politician! Yeah Change!
Change You Can Believe In …. If You Close Your Eyes
WOW Chris! Imagine that!
You’re trumpeting my point. It is a wake up call that the Democrats are not the saviors of the gay community. Maybe now some people are waking up to find that Democrat does not = Equality.
Wayne said: “I wonder where is that ‘Change’ we were supposed to believe in?”
Yeah, 2 days after the election, and no change yet. Hey, real world, Wayne wants to know what’s holding up everything?
Right, Trace, it couldn’t be Republicans, could it (Mormons, for example)?
Yes, Wayne – the man is not even if office and you are bitching about “where is that change” – give it a rest and Trace, seriously dear – take a valium or something. Nobody is happy that the Propositions passed – but complaining won’t solve anything – getting our collective asses in gear will. This is a wake-up call to the GLBT community!
Yeah! Change We Can Believe In.
Best Believe that we have completely become third class citizens. And, it’s those all important Dems that have ensured we are there.
What do you expect, when we have a President-Elect who is against gay marriage?
I was looking for the “Not in New York” group and could not find it. Is that the name of the group?
These churches that have the money to throw around getting involved in politics and elections to disenfranchise minorities should have their tax exempt status revoked. I do not want my tax dollars going to subsidize their hate crimes.
This makes me so angry!!! we should have a protest of our own here in NYC!
Well, Gay is the new black everyone. What do we expect? Cupcakes? Pft, right. I’m going to go get my water proof levis and jump in front of a fire hose for effect.
If you have facebook you can join the group “Not in New York” which has all the information about the bill, how you can contact your legislators, and more.
We have to move to join together to prove that ignorance and hate are NOT welcome in New York.
What the hell is this crap about not supporting someone because there are too many of that color already in government? That’s bullshit. If they want to walk, show them the door.
I wonder where is that “Change” we were supposed to believe in?
I live in NYC. What can be done? Is there a website about how to volunteer?