Paterson: Same-sex marriage is civil right

[cal04]

Source: Newsday

Gay and lesbian couples should have the fundamental civil right to wed in New York State, just as partners of the opposite sex do, Gov. David A. Paterson said Thursday.

"Marriage equality is about basic civil rights and freedom," Paterson said in a statement before a Manhattan news conference. "That is why we stand together today to embrace civil rights for every New Yorker."

Paterson introduced the same-sex bill Thursday in the Legislature, trying again to legalize gay unions in New York State.

As expected, the bill will face tough opposition.

Newly installed Archbishop Timothy Dolan of the Archdiocese of New York said he would challenge any efforts legalizing same-sex marriages in New York.

Read more: http://www.newsday.com/news/local/politics/ny-stgay1712659889apr16,0,3150441.story

---

Governor Paterson Announces Landmark Civil Rights Legislation
http://www.wbng.com/news/local/43098802.html

[closeupready]

1. He's right.

good for him. :)

[Name removed]

2. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[progressoid]

3. NY state governor introduces gay marriage bill

Source: Reuters

NEW YORK (Reuters) - New York Gov. David Paterson on Thursday introduced a bill to allow gay marriage in the state, likening the effort to civil rights struggles and brushing aside objections from religious leaders.

If the bill becomes law, New York will follow Connecticut, Massachusetts, Vermont and Iowa in legalizing gay marriage, but the effort is expected to face resistance in the state Senate.

"Anyone that has ever experienced degradation or intolerance would understand the solemn duty and how important it actually is," Paterson, the state's first black governor, told a news conference in Manhattan.

"This is a civil rights issue. Civil rights don't wait for the right time," he said. Paterson was accompanied by city and state leaders, including New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg.

Gay marriage has broad support in the Democratic-controlled New York lower house, the Assembly, where it passed in a 85 to 61 vote in 2007. It was not put to a vote in the state Senate.



Read more: http://www.reuters.com/article/domesticNews/idUSTRE53F5I220090416

[BattyDem]

4. Good! Corzine should do the same thing in NJ!

Enough of the domestic partnership/civil union crap! Gay and lesbian couples deserve the same rights that the rest of us have. The government has no business telling two people they can't get married because one of them is the wrong gender.

[and-justice-for-all]

5. Well hell yeah it's a civil right...

I should have the FREEDOM to marry whomever I wish.

[No Elephants]

6. I hope to God it passes and no one goes for a Constitutional amendment. It's disgusting that I even

have to worry about things like that. People are people. We all need to have the same rights.

[LynneSin]

7. I always thought Patterson was a fill-in til the next NY Governor election

he took over for Eliot Spitzer after Spitzer was caught diddling an escort. Patterson never seemed like the kind of guy that would have what it takes to win a Governor's seat.

He gets this passed (and I hope he does), he'll easily be re-elected. I think there are enough sane people in the urban areas like NYC that will cover the votes from the right-wing mouth breathers in rural New York.