Subscribe to Breaking News
Loading ...Former New York Senate Maj. Leader now favors gay marriage
06.15.2009 5:00pm EDT
(Albany) Former New York Senate Majority Leader Joseph Bruno said he now supports legalizing same-sex marriage in New York, a change of heart that could influence the measure’s chances in the state Senate.
The 80-year-old Republican, who retired last year as the state’s most powerful Republican, tells The Associated Press he now sees the issue as a civil right.“As a Republican, I believe in personal freedom,” Bruno said in a written statement. He said support of the measure by Democratic Gov. David Paterson, a friend and longtime collegial adversary in the Senate, helped him change his mind about same-sex marriage. Bruno blocked an earlier version of the bill that the Democrat-led Assembly passed two years ago.
“I opposed same-sex marriage largely because the overwhelming majority of my caucus opposed it,” Bruno stated. “As a relatively conservative Roman Catholic, I instinctively view marriage as the foundation of the family.
“However, that view really does conflict with the rights that are afforded all of us,” he said. “This is America and we have inalienable rights … life is short and we should all be afforded the same opportunities and rights to enjoy it.”
Bruno’s wife of 57 years, Barbara, died in 2008 after years of suffering from Alzheimer’s disease.
Whether the bill to legalize same-sex marriage would pass in the Senate, now engulfed in a leadership struggle, remains unknown. The Assembly has already approved the measure, and Paterson supports it. But Republican senators, who would be crucial to gaining final legislative passage, haven’t seemed to budge on the issue.
In an interview, Bruno said that although he opposed the measure in the Senate, he has grown to see same-sex marriage as a fundamental right equal to those protected by the Founding Fathers and President Abraham Lincoln.
Bruno can’t lobby the Legislature for another year under state law and says he hasn’t spoken to any officials about his views, only his friends and family.
Bruno was the Senate majority leader from 1995 to 2008. He faces a federal indictment accusing him using his public post to enrich himself by $3.2 million.
Bruno is the chief executive officer of CMA Consulting Services, an information technology consulting business based near Albany.
@ Zac,
You probably voted republican all of the past years. I’m sorry, but just because a few republicans are “starting to see the error of their ways” doesn’t do it for me. Most (95%) of republicans, see equal marriage as the devil’s work. They are very religious and don’t know what “separation of church & state” is, you go vote republican. I’ll vote for the president that sees me as an equal. Obama? wtf?
There was a time, before the baptists took over the GOP, when conservatism MEANT personal liberty. Republicans are no longer conservatives. Conservatives would support marriage equality.
Not to look a gift horse in the mouth, Bruno is an old windbag with zero credibility. He VEHEMENTLY blocked all gay rights legislation…to the point that I was beginning to think him a closet case.
It is very easy to be for equality and speak up for conservative values now that you aren’t up for re-election. Let’s not surprise ourselves, Cheney and Bruno don’t have the bigots in the voting booth to fear anymore.
Here in Mass we learned that you won’t lose your seat if you support equality. We need to spread that message (and make it true for other areas of the country).
good for Bruno, but if he had any cajones, he would have let the vote come years ago.
@Kari – I think it will. I’ve noticed that many of the republicans against the lgbt community are basically just going with the crowd. A big fish like him might have a very big impact. Even I’m surprised since most people I know at his age are pretty tough to get out of their often rather “set” ways.
Very smart political move for the Republicans. Equality for all by the republicans? Wow impressive to say the least, who would have thought?. Meanwhile the Dems created DADT and DOMA putting us in the back of the bus. Obama only supports civil unions and ex VP Cheeney now supports same sex marriage is an interesting turn of events for the political arena. I just might have to vote republican next election if this keeps up.
Hey Trace, Edwards believes marriage is between a man and a woman AND the man’s girlfriend.
So former-Speaker Bruno now sees the light. Hmmm. How does ousted Speaker Smith respond to this? What does the Republican caucus do? This is better high-camp drama than watching telenovelas on Univision!
It’s interesting that it’s been our much maligned governor who has been the most consistent on this and a supporter since day one of his tenure in office.
It’s a sad day for the Democratic party, when the news of the day is how the Dems dumped us, and self described “conservative Republican”s have learned the error of their ways….
Jessi, maybe they were having dinner with Obama, Hillary and Edwards, discussing how they all agree that marriage is between a man and a woman.
where were these repugnicans when they coulda been useful?
cheney included
Let us hope his thoughts influence the NYS Senate Republican caucus in a way that is favorable to us.