New York votes to allow same-sex marriage

Los Angeles Times ^ | June 24, 2011 | Geraldine Baum and Tina Susman

[AustralianConservative]

[…Liberal Republicans cave, pass “gay marriage” in NY…]

Brian Brown, president of the National Organization for Marriage, vowed that in conjunction with the state's Conservative Party, his group would spend more than $1 million targeting lawmakers who supported the bill in the next election.

"All [the vote] means is that Gov. Cuomo was able to strongarm and push through, because of the weakness of some Republicans, a gay marriage bill," Brown said. "It doesn't go away and we're going to make sure the people are held accountable."

Cuomo was said to be determined to see the legislation passed in time for Manhattan's Gay Pride weekend; he was also so confident that he gave advocates approval to print signs "recognizing his leadership."

O'Donnell first introduced a same-sex marriage bill in 2007. The Assembly approved it three times in five years, only to see it fail each time in the Senate. This effort, backed by a new Democratic governor, worked. A pivotal moment came last week when three Democrats and one Republican who voted against same-sex marriage in 2009 changed sides, saying they were swayed by public opinion in their districts.

When a second Republican, Sen. Roy McDonald, announced his support, proponents needed just one more vote for passage. McDonald said his decision was based on his conscience as much as constituents' opinions. "You get to the point where you evolve in your life where everything isn't black and white, good and bad, and you try to do the right thing," he said.

[kasius]

Hope you feel better soon.

[New Jersey Realist]

Good for them, now they have to pay half their stuff when they get divorced!

[Republic of Texas]

That’s what I told a couple of Gay guys I know last night. Be careful what you ask for...

[tomkat]

I  N Y

(sadly)