McGreevey: Gay Marriage Will Happen in NY

Here is former NJ Governor Jim McGreevey about to sign a copy of his book after speaking to the Stonewall Democrats at the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Community Center in Manhattan yesterday.

Now that he's out of office with no plans to return, I asked him what he thought of the Democratic gains in Albany and Washington and what he thought the impact would be on the push to legalize gay marriage.

"I think it will happen in New York," he said. "And it will be on a priority list. I mean, there are a number of other challenges that are clearly eminent and pressing but I think it will happen."

On the federal level: "In Congress, I don't see it happening. I think there will be a number of employment anti-discrimination bills are passed that are very important."

He also said, "I think the employment discrimination and the federal anti-bullying legislation and also certain tax legislation I see as being critical."

When someone in the crowd of about 50 people asked about the legitimacy of outing closeted elected officials who actively work against gay rights -- as McGreevey did when he opposed same-sex marriage -- the former governor told the crowd it would be more effective to "go and talk to those officials who are closeted. Tell them that you are going to survive the other side of the divide."

There's more from McGreevey here [audio].