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Loading ...Gov. Patterson promises vote on gay-marriage before break
06.22.2009 12:11pm EDT
(Albany) New York Gov. David Patterson revealed Sunday night that plans to have the State Senate vote on same-sex marriage before it breaks for the summer, according to the New York Times. He made this announcement after receiving pressure from gay rights groups because he and his administration had refused to commit to forcing a vote on the issue.
“It has always been my intention to see same-sex marriage come to the floor,” Gov. Patterson said. “I don’t want there to be any confusion.”During the same press conference, Patterson announced plans to call the Senate to a special session on Tuesday, after trying unsuccessfully for two weeks to broker a compromise in a leadership battle that has deadlocked the chamber.
Paterson, who has been a supporter of gay rights in the past and will be serving as one of the Grand Marshals in this year’s New York Pride Parade, received criticism and concern from gay rights groups Sunday after his staff would not say whether same-sex marriage would continue to be a priority.
“Not to include marriage for same-sex couples as a priority for Tuesday’s extraordinary session is an insult to millions of gay and lesbian people and their families,” said Alan Van Capelle, executive director of the gay right’s group Empire State Pride Agenda, in a written statement issued after the governor’s press conference Sunday afternoon.
If it comes down to a forced vote by Governor Patterson, then so be it. It seems to me that the Government in Albany has been dragging it’s feet for too darn long on the issue of equal marriage and I applaud Governor Patterson for his courage and intent to get this voted on sooner than later and passed once and for all.
I applaude governor David Patterson for his courageous efforts to bring this issue to a head once and for all and for challenging the senators to come together or he will force them into session on the 4th of july holiday to work
I agree with you, RobertNYC. We need to know who is against equality. Its high time our elected officials be on record as to whether or not they are representating ALL constituents. Vote no, out you go!
Robert, NYC Said: “…If it fails, then we’ll know exactly who we have to vote out of office.”
And make sure every Congress member who’s on the fence knows that. “Vote no, out you go!”
Since republicans are crazy people and democrats are the new republicans, the new Right, who knows?
This is a real opportunity for NY Republicans to show that they are in tune with the growing acceptance of gay families and demand for equality for all citizens in this country.
It’s time NY.
Cheers, Joe Mustich,
Justice of the Peace,
Washington, Connecticut,
Kudos to civil marriages.
Nice to see at least one politicain acting like a leader.
Holding my breath that if it does come for a vote that it will pass. You can’t trust any of these people who come around then at the eleventh hour back off because their power and votes are more important than our rights. If it fails, then we’ll know exactly who we have to vote out of office.