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Loading ...Schumer announces support for same-sex marriage
03.23.2009 4:05pm EDT
(New York City) Sen. Charles Schumer (D-NY) has become the highest-ranking US Senator to support full marriage rights for same-sex couples.
Schumer, who previously said he supported civil unions but not marriage, changed his position following a meeting Sunday night in Manhattan with a group of New York state elected officials and Empire State Pride Agenda, the largest LGBT rights group in the state.The meeting was held at Schumer’s request.
The Senator also said he supports repeal of the Defense of Marriage Act, which bars the federal government from offering any recognition of same-sex relationships.
“It’s time. Equality is something that has always been a hallmark of America and no group should be deprived of it. New York, which has always been at the forefront on issues of equality, is appropriately poised to take a lead on this issue,” Schumer said in a statement following the meeting.
“I want to thank Sen. Schumer for his support of marriage equality and the repeal of the so-called Defense of Marriage Act,” said Pride Agenda Executive Director Alan Van Capelle.
“Like a majority of New Yorkers, Sen. Schumer recognizes that only marriage equality provides same sex couples the status, protections and rights afforded to all other Americans. We look forward to working with him to win marriage equality in New York State and around the country.”
Schumer is Vice Chair of the U.S. Senate’s Democratic Conference. To date, he is the highest ranking member of the Senate to endorse marriage equality.
Among other topics discussed at the meeting were continued HIV and Ryan White Care Act funding, appointment of openly LGBT people to the federal bench, special issues facing LGBT youth and seniors, the U.S. Census, and passage of a transgender-inclusive Employment Nondiscrimination Act (ENDA) and hate crimes legislation.
New York’s other senator, Kirsten Gillibrand (D) announced her support for same-sex marriage when her appointment to the Senate, replacing Hillary Clinton, was made by Gov. Paterson.
Legislation to legalize same-sex marriage is expected to be taken up by the New York State Assembly again this year. A bill passed in the last session, but was stonewalled in the state Senate.
A bill to repeal DOMA will be introduced in Congress. Should it pass, President Obama has said he would sign it.
“A bill passed in the last session, but was stonewalled in the state Senate.”
I question the term “stonewalled” in this instance, Ironic is it not?
Go Chuck!We New Yorkers have many excellent political leaders, let me add my voice of pride in Senator Schumer.
I miss Hillary though, she was the only Senator who had the courage to vote against the travesty called the Ryan White Act back in 2006; she knew how badly that bill was worded and how much we are still suffering the loss of millions in HIV/AIDS services funding.
Senator Gillebrand – please get up to speed quickly; you have very large shoes to fill!
Better late than never.
Welcome aboard, Senator.
I hope soon, it’s about time that we have marriage in NY
Why is it one is considered homophobic if you are not for gay marriage? Phobic means afraid… what if people are just disgusted by gay marriage? Homophobic is a word designed to promote an agenda.
Bill, the term “homophobia” seems quite apt when a lot of people oppose homosexual couplings based primarily on gut instinct and fear of the unknown. Xenophobia specifically related towards members of the homosexual communitys, basically.
And “agenda” is also a word thrown around by people with agendas, paranoid of agendas not their own.
Statistically, New York and its suburbs represent everything up to the mid-Hudson Valley, so that’s everything south of Kingston and Poughkeepsie. That’s maybe 14 million people out of 20 mil. The former speaker of the NYS Senate was a major obstacle on the marriage bill. NYS is in a ludicrous position–if you’re str8 and you live in Westchester you can get married in White Plains, if you’re gay you have to go at least to Stamford, maybe to Danbury. Why? Because NYS will recognize gay marriages performed out of state. Your insurance company will recognize your out-of-state gay marriage. If you’re a state employee, I’m under the impression that your tax-provided benefits may include your gay spouse from your out-of-state marriage (at least some benefits, not necessarily all).
So kudos to Senator Schumer, and here’s hoping he starts pressing the point among New York’s state legislators. It’s the City that pays the taxes for Upstate, which right now has all the economic vigor of Detroit or Cleveland. So if you want paved roads and state universities that stay open, leave those wacky gays alone. Make us angry, and we might come upstate and sodomize your deer and ruin hunting season. I’m just sayin’.
travis, I respectfully don’t agree with your comparison to xenophobia, however, upon further thought I will agree that phobia fits with respect to its meaning of having an aversion to something, or a feeling of repugnance. You are correct with the ‘gut instinct’ comment. It does come from the gut. There is no conscience decision in some people’s aversion to homosexuality. And I believe and know that although you may not like or be able to relate to the behavior the behavior, you can still like the person.
I hope he runs for president, I just wonder how far he’d go after that stunning announcement.
Don’t forget, Diaz, Espada and Kruger, three conservative democrats who’ve vowed they will not support the bill if its passed. Malcolm Smith already has said the democrats don’t even have enough votes to pass it once it reaches the floor.
To say I’m stunned by Chuck’s statement (and not at a Sunday morning news conference!) is putting it mildly! Chuck takes a firm stand on something! I will be sending a congratulatory email on his finally locating his balls! But… Talk is cheap,especially with Chuck. Is he trying to grab up the carpetbagger”s(Hillary) worshipers? Or trying to distract from his cluster(copulate) performance in the financial debacle? Action speaks louder that words and Chuck is very good with words. But.. Hope springs eternal- we shall see!
I cannot wait until they legalize same-sex marriage in the empire state…but I know that it will not happen over night!!
GOOOOOO CHUCK!!!
bill,
“what if people are just disgusted by gay marriage?”
Then they shouldn’t have one. Preventing other people from havinng equal rights/liberties/privileges/benefits of citizenship is simply wrong.
“You are correct with the ‘gut instinct’ comment. It does come from the gut.”
Perhaps you should start using your head instead of your gut when it comes to liberty (and justice) for ALL. And to the right to the pursuit of happiness.
“There is no conscience decision in some people’s aversion to homosexuality.”
Nor is there any conscious decision in being gay. We simply are. Get used to it, then get over it.
“Homophobic is a word designed to promote an agenda.”
And “agenda” is just a homphobic word intended to promote unequal treatment of some citizens before the law.
“I believe and know that although you may not like or be able to relate to the behavior the behavior, you can still like the person.”
We don’t really give a sh!t if you “like” us or not. We care deeply that we get the exact same rights, privileges, benefits and liberties that you do. Denying some citizens of that is hardly ‘liking’ those persons.
Try again, but bring better arguments. The ones you’re currently using don’t pass muster.
Clearly whoever represented us from Empire Pride did an excellent job if they got Schumer to dramatically change his position. I applaud them for their successful work.
However I am cautiously optimistic especially with the likes of Diaz, Espada and Kruger. We need to mount a campaign to make sure we get the votes and remind these narrow minded people that they are in office based on or votes which we can always take away next session!
WOW!! Great news, making head way!! Even if it does not go through we are pushing for a better tomorrow and the more controversy that brings the more attention we get to this is for the best. Awesome Awesome Awesome! Gay rights, equality, will be a HUGE issue in the up coming years and most likely determine our president next quarter. WATCH!