Subscribe to Breaking NewsVanasco: Gay marriage used as bait in NY Senate
, editor in chief, 365gay.com 06.12.2009 8:25am EDT
News & Politics
WNYC is reporting that the uproar in the New York Senate continues. Now, the two Democrats who voted with the Republicans to start a “coalition” government are saying they will bring gay marriage to a vote on Monday – so that Democratic senators will be forced to come to the chamber, and thus recognize the new leadership.
This is not good.
We want the senators to vote on gay marriage itself – not on whether they like deposed leader Malcolm Smith or not. There are enough votes on the fence that it is dangerous if Democrats don’t show up because of reasons having nothing to do with marriage equality.
We are being used at bait so that Democratic senators NEED to show up.
Or maybe there’s a bright side I’m not seeing. Readers?
If passing marriage equality in New York is the price to pay for GOP control again until the next election when we can kick out the DINOs and a couple of Republicans then so be it.
Not a single Democrat should appear.
Let the GOP ‘vote’ on the issue – and live with the result in the next election cycle.
Since a majority of New Yorkers (including Republicans) favor legalizing gay marriage – I say call their bluff.
And capitalize on the result.
I am so sick and tired of the complaining comments of us being used!
WHAT THE F–K ARE WE GOING TO DO ABOUT IT!
How about some suggestions, how to retaliate, picket, anything, something.
When are we all going to mobilize and scare the hell out of them?
All I get from this, other than our pawn status, is how disfunctional NY is.
One of my top favorite cities in the world happens to be in New York but that doesn’t make it a better state.
Stupid property taxes…I mean, really, you get 3 bills! (I used to live upstate do to a job unfortunately and was appalled when my 3 tax bills arrived–every other state I’ve paid taxes in has one bill). Crazy politics with outsiders coming in and taking senate seats with no connection to the state. The budget process. The unbelievable special interest stranglehold on politics. The run down road system, the ridiculously high tolls.
Without NYC this state would be no better than a huge superfund site. I know people that pay SIX FIGURES in real estate taxes….why should anyone be burdoned with that when the money is so terribly wasted?
Public schools in NYC must have windows strong enough to withstand hurricane force winds at -20F. Since when do hurricanes hit the city in the winter? The window lobby won that one and that is just one of many reasons New Yorkers pay so much in property taxes.
I’m just dumbfounded at the citizens of New York who don’t revolt or move out. I got out as fast as I could and left behind the highest tax bill I’ve ever paid in my life.
Picket demonstrate, demand attention GET IN THE HEADLINES,expose these scums for what they are, but do it BEFORE the vote
Until our numbers physically INCREASE then this will be the de rigeur b*llshit we as a community can expect from the babbling bastion of bureaucrats! The political system in this country, NOT just NY State, needs a VAST overhaul!! Until such changes occur, yes, you can expect us all to be tossed around like a hot potato, and to exist at the current whims of a crooked and corrupt hetero dominated government.
I’m with you, Andre. My gut feeling is we’re just pawns in their political games. I find it disgusting that our rights are tossed around, playing political games at our expense. Clearly, none of these clowns have any respect for us. Imagine if they did that with other minorities’ rights, there would be public outcry and outrage. Gov. Paterson should have been on top if this, he let it fester out of control but its too late for him to grow a pair. I hope I’m pleasantly surprised and it passes, but I have a hunch it won’t. I’m slowly becoming desensitized to being thrown under the bus, it wears me down and out.
Once more politics is being played out on the heads of the gay community. When we do reach full equality, (in MY lifetime???) maybe this crap will end.
Maybe this chaos might benefit us at the end. Democrats can negotiate with Republican leadership. It would be wise of the GOP to vote in favor of marriage equality in exchange of recognition from Democrats. Malcolm Smith needed a boot up his behind. It would be interesting and ironical if the GOP helped pass marriage equality in New York State. I am nervous about this chaos in the Senate. We will have to wait and see but I have a good feeling about this. Lets keep our fingers crossed.
I completely agree with Andre. I do not believe we will like the end results as we’re going to get used and tossed aside and then have to listen to, “we gave it a shot”.
Having Malcolm Smith as the Senate leader was no better than having a Republican in the lead. He did nothing to help out the Gay community. So whether gay marriage passes on Monday, or not, Mr Smith has no one to blame but himself for the situation that is now at hand. I never considered him to a leader of any kind.
I’m tired of this state’s legislature using the LGBT community as a political pawn. From Pataki’s dangling SONDA in front of us to ensure re-election votes to this. I don’t believe we’re taken seriously. They should be ashamed of themselves. We’re human beings, not game pieces.
Does anyone really believe that the republicans are interested in passing gay marriage legislation?
I think they are setting it up so the bill is voted, defeated, and their majority in the senate re-established.
It would be really interesting if the republican party passed gay marriage! An indication that there are republicans that do not take their orders from the extreme right…but it is wishful thinking…
I agree with Matt. Passing gay marriage is the important thing. I have no sympathy for Malcolm Smith, who sold us out for Diaz’s support. The two defectors are scum, but if they get gay marriage passed, they deserve our support. People like Smith who make deals to sell us out deserve to lose their positions.
Well personally I could care less how same-sex marriage gets passed. To be honest, I think the NY democrats are being a bunch of babies and who knows who’s being threatened in what ways not to show up. I think it’s their duty to show up in that chamber, and if passing gay marriage is the compromise that gets them there then that’s awesome. It shows how much traction our issues now have.