Reply #8: I think New York is going to happen...

[stillcool]

Gay-Rights Advocates Push For Marriage Equality
Posted By: Kim DeGeorge-Pike 1 day ago

ALBANY _ Gay-rights groups rallied Tuesday at the state Capitol in an effort to legalize same-sex marriages in New York.

With chants of "What do we want? Marriage. When do we want it? Now," more than 2,000 supporters sought to lobby state lawmakers to pass a same-sex marriage law before the legislative session ends in June.

"This is the first year we have a realistic chance," said Joann Prinzivalli, a White Plains lawyer who is the director of the New York Transgender Rights Association.

The state Assembly is expected to pass same-sex marriage legislation as soon as Monday; it first passed the bill in 2007. But the bill remains stalled in the state Senate, where Democrats hold a one-seat majority and several Democrats have said they will oppose the measure.

Gay-rights advocates vowed to try to persuade legislators, Democrats and Republicans, in an effort to get the measure passed this year. No Republican senators have voiced support for the legislation.

"We don't think that people who disagree with us are bigots and homophobes," said Allan Van Capelle, executive director of the Empire State Pride Agenda. "We just think they don't have enough education."

Supporters have received the backing Gov. David Paterson, who spoke to the audience and urged them to continue to fight for the bill's passage. The Democratic governor earlier this month introduced a same-sex marriage bill. Four states -- Vermont, Iowa, Connecticut and Massachusetts - can issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples.

"I want to sign a bill that will make marriage equality issued right here in New York state," said Paterson, who received a standing ovation from the crowd.
http://www.wgrz.com/news/local/story.aspx?storyid=66285