What is Albany up to now?
Gay-marriage advocates had hoped to sneak a gay marriage bill through the legislature this spring. Gov. Paterson, his poll numbers plunging, shamelessly played to his base by grandstanding on gay marriage, while New York state was burning. In April the Empire State Pride Agenda director told New York magazine, "We're closer than most people think to marriage equality."
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In the upcoming days, New Yorkers will be gathering at sites across the state to take a stand for marriage and let their elected officials know they don't want marriage redefined in New York! We'll do our best to keep you up to date.
Tuesday, June 9 (Albany)
State Capitol
Details Here
Saturday, June 13 (Long Island)
Duryea State Office Bldg
Details Here
And don't forget to keep the emails to your legislators coming!
Times Union, June 3, 2009
Sen. Ruben Diaz, Sr., the Senate’s most ardent opponent of gay marriage, has just released the following message to gay marriage bill lead sponsor Tom Duane:
“If Senator Tom Duane has the necessary Senate votes to pass the homosexual marriage bill in New York State, then he should release the names of those Senators who are supporting the bill. If not, he should shut up. If any member of the State Senate is so ashamed to have their names released or to release their own names for this or for any pending legislation, then they clearly feel ashamed of their position.
If any Senators are unwilling to release their names prior to voting for the homosexual marriage bill, they are sending a clear message to the gay community and to the whole State of New York that these Senators are unwilling to let the public know and that they are ashamed to be publicly associated with the gay community.
Any Senator who commits himself or herself to something, should be man or woman enough to take a stand and stand by his or her convictions. If they give their word to support something that they are ashamed of, then that is a hypocrisy, and could be interpreted as not wanting to be associated with the matter.
It is a disgrace that Senator Duane is playing this mind game with his colleagues and with the public. If Senator Duane has the votes, he should release the names. If not, then he should be ashamed of himself. ”
Duane has said he has the votes to pass the bill right now; but that message has not yet been conveyed to Senate Majority Leader Malcolm Smith, who said he’ll put the bill to a vote when he thinks it will pass.
A NY1 survey found that 28 senators have said they will vote against a bill which would allow gay couples to receive marriage licenses. 20 said they would vote yes, 9 are undecided, and 5 could not reveal their position.
Today, NOM announced a major new initiative to mobilize grassroots opposition to same-sex marriage in New York State.
One of our largest state efforts to date, the New York campaign is highlighted by an initial $100,000 radio and TV ad buy, with ads running in Long Island, Albany, Poughkeepsie, and a handful of other New York markets through the weekend. The radio and TV ad campaign follows on a massive automated phone campaign begun last week, contacting 1.4 million New York households in 25 key senate districts to identify and mobilize opponents of same-sex marriage. We even have an electric billboard up in Times Square! Read More
