Where They Stand on Same-Sex Marriage
Eliot Spitzer’s plan to introduce a bill legalizing same-sex marriage later today may not become law. But it may succeed, for the first time, in getting many state legislators to stake out clear, yes-or-no positions on the issue.
“You had a governor, under Pataki, it wasn’t even discussed,” said Assemblywoman Joan Millman of Brooklyn. “Now you have a governor that is openly supporting it. But it’s still going to be a long haul.”
The opposition to same-sex marriage -- or at least the reluctance to address it -- isn't just in the Republican-led state Senate.
I asked Millman, who has been in the Assembly for 10 years, if she knew where Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver stood on the issue.
“No, I don’t," she said. "I know he’s been quoted as saying he wants to see where his conference is on this. And I think the conference is going to be all over the lot because some people are very conservative or represent very conservative districts.”
Millman, who supports same-sex marriage, isn't optimistic. “It’s going to be a real sticking point. I don’t know if it’s going to be something that gets through this session,” she said.
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New York State Senator Rev. Ruben Diaz Rejects Governor’s Intention to Legalize Gay Marriage
New York State Senator Rev. Ruben Diaz (D-Bronx) opposes New York State Governor Eliot Spitzer’s bill to legitimize gay marriage in New York State, something the Governor considers to be a “simple moral imperative”.
“This is a slap in the face to the millions of New Yorkers who support the moral, legal and traditional definition of marriage as between man and woman,” Senator Diaz stated. “In the minds of millions of New Yorkers, legalizing gay marriage is against our religious beliefs.”
Senator Rev. Diaz is calling for his colleagues in Albany, his fellow ministers, Edward Cardinal Egan, religious leaders, and all New Yorkers who defend the constitutionality of New York’s marriage laws to join him in opposition to this proposed legislation.
Governor Spitzer is the first governor in the United States to introduce legislation to legalize marriage between man and man, and woman and woman. According to Senator Rev. Diaz, “By doing this the Governor shows disrespect and disregard for religious beliefs followed by Jews, Catholics, Muslims, Evangelicals, and every other State resident who time after times has shown a vast opposition to gay marriage.”