Same-sex Marriage | The New York Observer

Doug Hoffman, Effusive as Ever

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 16:10:51 -0500

ALBANY—He ran for Congress as an outsider, the non-politician who was fed up with the course of government. It shouldn't be too surprising that he's never been to the State Capitol.

I found Doug Hoffman gawking at the chamber's ornate ceiling, indulging what he monotonically insisted is a deep passion for architecture, chatting with his wife Carol and the Rev. Jason McGuire, the lobbyist here who opposes same-sex marriage on behalf of a group...

Van Capelle is Confident in the Senate

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 15:12:55 -0500

ALBANY—Alan Van Capelle, executive director of the Empire State Pride Agenda, just said he believes "we had the votes back in June, and I still believe we have the votes today" to pass the same-sex marriage bill.

Van Capelle has been pushing furiously for a vote this year, even though he is nearly alone in saying that there are enough votes in the State Senate to pass it. (Most Senate sources say the opposite.)...

Paterson Says That the Senate Has Secretly Promised to Vote on Same-Sex Marriage

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 20:47:44 -0500

ALBANY—A vote on same-sex marriage will be held "at a date not certain between now and the end of the year," David Paterson just promised publicly.

"This is the first time the Senate leadership has indicated that it will support a vote on marriage equality," Paterson said. He also committed to putting the bill on the calendar for a special session next week.

Conspicuously absent from the Red Room press conference where Paterson spoke...

Last Try for Same-Sex Marriage?

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 18:16:06 -0500

ALBANY—It's a Hail Mary pass for same-sex marriage.

State Senator Tom Duane, the measure's sponsor in that chamber, just walked across the back of the floor trailed by Democratic Conference Leader John Sampson and Eric Adams, his top lieutenant. Along with Senators Malcolm Smith, Eric Schneiderman and Deputy Majority Leader Jeff Klein, they walked down to meet with David Paterson. Duane's hands were clasped and he was pacing. A source familiar with the lobbying...

Quinn on Albany's Agenda

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 13:40:52 -0500

One way legislative leaders exercise their power and shield allies is by controlling what gets voted on, and what legislation never reaches the floor for a vote. (Remember how congestion pricing died in Albany?)

So here's City Council Speaker Christine Quinn explaining why she sees some significance in the mere fact that lawmakers are considering a same-sex-marriage bill tomorrow.

"The thing about it is, this is on the agenda. Right? It’s been put on a list....

With Vote on Tap, Pro Same-Sex Marriage Clergy are Coming

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 12:16:44 -0500

ALBANY—With tomorrow's expected vote on same-sex marriage, advocates of the legislation say they're busing in 700 clergy members from around the state.

"This list represents a diverse group of faith traditions and congregations from all corners of our state. The leaders of these religious institutions understand the spiritual value of respecting all members of their community, including those who are lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender," said Alan Van Capelle, executive director of the Empire...

Paterson Calls Special Session, But Will it Work?

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 16:21:06 -0500

ALBANY—David Paterson officially officially proclaimed a special session on Tuesday to consider his $3 billion plan to bridge a mid-year deficit as well as other miscellaneous legislative business, even though no budget-cutting agreements have been reached among the governor and legislative leaders.

Paterson's formal proclamation for the session is a political wish list: it also calls for the legislature to act on bills legalizing same-sex marriage, enacting a cheaper pension tier for new state...

Did Same-Sex Marriage Cause Scozzafava's Collapse?

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 14:48:24 -0500

ALBANY—What role did Assemblywoman Dede Scozzafava's strong support of same-sex marriage play in the collapse of her Congressional bid?

"It was pretty significant," said Jason McGuire, who lobbies against same-sex marriage in New York (and has been on the payroll of Doug Hoffman for several weeks). He noted that conservative groups--including the National Organization for Marriage--supported Hoffman, and froze Scozzafava's ability to raise money, leading to the eventual collapse of her candidacy.

"I said...

Paterson Calling Session in November

Sun, 25 Oct 2009 22:36:51 -0400

ALBANY—David Paterson is calling lawmakers back for a special session to deal with the budget deficit -- in November.

This is later than Paterson had indicated last week; he had hoped to convene a session in the last week of October or the first week of November. (Elections are Nov. 3). The session is called for Nov. 10, and on Nov. 9 Paterson is asking to address a joint session of the legislature. Paterson...

Paterson: Same-Sex Marriage on the Agenda for the Special Session

Fri, 23 Oct 2009 10:34:50 -0400

Governor David Paterson has promised to put same-sex marriage on the agenda when he calls lawmakers back to Albany for a special session to deal with business left undone since the coup back in June.

“Marriage equality will be on the calendar,” Paterson told an audience at the Empire State Pride Agenda’s annual fund-raiser in Manhattan last night. “Marriage equality is coming to New York State.”

The head of ESPA, Alan van Capelle, went further, calling...

Who Runs the Senate? (July 17 Edition)

Fri, 17 Jul 2009 16:05:00 -0400

ALBANY—So now that the Senate is nominallly a functioning body, who's running it? It's not an easy question to answer. "It's not a clear, bipartisan operating agreement, but it's not as though the Democrats have established clear control over the Legislature again and are consistently moving their agenda," Justin Phillips, a political science professor at Columbia University who researches state government, just told me by phone. "The Democrats are nominally back in charge, but until we...

Politics at the Pride Parade

Mon, 29 Jun 2009 08:51:08 -0400

Every year the political class pays homage to the gay community at the Pride Parade, and yesterday's was no...

Paterson Acts, Senators From Both Parties Complain

Sun, 21 Jun 2009 20:38:00 -0400

ALBANY—David Paterson publicly declared Sunday he would force the State Senate into a special session on Tuesday, barring some resolution of the leadership struggle in the chamber that is entering its third week. In doing so, Paterson had harsh words for senators, many of whom are former colleagues: "Over the last few weeks, the senators' conduct has been laughable. But what's going on around here these days is no joke, and I don't find it...

Source: Paterson Will Call Special Session by Wednesday

Fri, 19 Jun 2009 16:32:00 -0400

ALBANY—David Paterson will call a special session to deal with "critical bills" if there is no deal reached in the battle over State Senate leadership by Wednesday, an administration official just told me. There's a list of 42 items, as the Daily News reported, which includes lots of local extenders, authorizations for bonding, the Tier V pension plan, a Power for Jobs extender and the Assembly's school control bill. It does not include legislation authorizing...

Gay-Rights Activists on Duane's Uncomfortable Calculus

Thu, 11 Jun 2009 14:50:00 -0400

State Senator Tom Duane has reportedly entertained the idea of aligning with Republicans in the State Senate in exchange for them bringing same-sex marriage legislation to the floor for a vote. The fact that he's even considering an alliance with Republicans is a striking turnaround. During a November 28 forum last year about same-sex marraige, Duane told the audience that Democratic senators like Ruben Diaz, Sr., shouldn't cross the aisle to block the marriage legislation. Duane...

Smith by a Thread, Sampson Moving Toward Leadership, Duane Flirting With Republicans

Wed, 10 Jun 2009 09:05:00 -0400

ALBANY--Malcolm Smith is hanging on by a thread. A well-placed Democratic source told me the conference of black senators--without Smith--met yesterday and gave their blessing to John Sampson of Brooklyn to lead the Democratic caucus in the State Senate after a coup put a coalition of Republicans and renegade Democrats in charge. "It's not clear that Sampson has the votes yet to put this all together, he's a few votes short," the source said. Liz hashed out...

What Now for Same-Sex Marriage?

Tue, 09 Jun 2009 15:47:00 -0400

ALBANY—With the Democratic leadership of the State Senate at worst toppled (or at least crippled), is same-sex-marriage legislation still a possibility? Senate Republican Leader Dean Skelos, one of two theoretical heads of the new power-sharing arrangement agreed to after a floor coup Monday, said maybe. "We're going to discuss it, and if there is a sense within the conference that it should come out for a vote, perhaps we'll get to that," Skelos said on Fred...

Nadler Mourns the (Temporary?) Death of the Progressive Agenda in Albany

Tue, 09 Jun 2009 08:28:00 -0400

Representative Jerry Nadler said late yesterday, optimistically, that it is entirely possible that the two Democrats who enabled the Republican takeover of the State Senate will be gone from the chamber by the time new congressional districts are drawn. But either way, he said, he feared that the progressive Democratic agenda that was supposed to be in the works in Albany is likely to be a casualty of Tuesday's coup. "As I get this story...

Bloomberg on the Senate Flip

Mon, 08 Jun 2009 20:32:00 -0400

Michael Bloomberg appeared with Whoopi Goldberg at John Jay College this afternoon for a "Women for Bloomberg" campaign rally. Afterward, he had a question-and-answer session with reporters about the Senate coup in Albany: "Well, we still have the same agenda we did before." [If the city budget is delayed?] "We would be in uncharted water. I expect to have an on-time budget...have to have reasonable assurances the revenue will be there, and if this were to get...

Duane Says That the Votes Are There, Now, for Same-Sex Marriage

Mon, 01 Jun 2009 14:12:00 -0400

ALBANY—With three weeks and a day left in the legislative session, advocates are once again pushing for a State Senate vote on same-sex marriage. State Senator Tom Duane, the bill's main sponsor in the chamber, said he was completely "confident," but in a back-and-forth with reporters, dodged specifics. "I don't want to seem overconfident, but I'm confident it's coming to the floor, I'm confident it's going to win, I'm confident we're going to have the...

Approaching the End of Session, Paterson Aims Everywhere

Fri, 29 May 2009 10:39:00 -0400

ALBANY—Lawmakers are scheduled to meet in Albany for 13 more days before the close of this year's legislative session, and David Paterson is hoping to do it all. "I would say that the one that we're here to discuss today would be a priority," Paterson said Tuesday, announcing a restructuring of ethics oversight, when asked for his end-of-session list. "The spending cap would be a priority. The property tax cap would be a priority. Mandate...

The Case Against Gay Marriage, On Air

Thu, 28 May 2009 09:13:00 -0400

ALBANY—The sleepy opposition is finally stirring, as a national group has releases this advertisement making the case against efforts to legalize same-sex marriage in New York. The National Organization for Marriage, a New Jersey-based group that has campaigned across the country to stop or repeal the legalization of same-sex marriage, produced the ad, which focuses on what the group says will be the consequences of same-sex marriage on children. The New York Times reported that the...

In Final Push, Pride Agenda Releases Another Ad

Tue, 26 May 2009 11:57:00 -0400

ALBANY—Continuing to lobby aggressively for same-sex marriage, the Empire State Pride Agenda unveiled a new television ad this morning, featuring a Rochester family with a gay son and straight daughter. The ad shows a kitchen table discussion with Karen Schuster and her children Luke and Jessica, in which she says Luke should have "the same rights as other people." Josh Meltzer, a spokesman for the Pride Agenda, said it was not yet determined which markets the...

Gay Lobby Rules

Fri, 22 May 2009 15:28:00 -0400

ALBANY—The message was clear to anyone who was at the Capitol on April 28: the pro-same-sex marriage lobby is an organized force you don't want to reckon with. More than 2,000 people packed the Empire State Convention center. Organizers communicated via radio head set. Advocates sat at tables marked by legislative district—the Senate district tables tended to be longer, and lined with more people. "This is not just about this year," said Alan Van Capelle, the...

For African-American Senators, a 'Thorny Dilemma' in the Politics of Same-Sex Marriage

Mon, 18 May 2009 09:10:00 -0400

ALBANY—State Senator Bill Perkins is for gay marriage. Most of his constituents in his majority African-American district, if the polling on this issue is any indication, are not. "There's no question that there are moments, in this case and other cases, where we have that thorny dilemma," Perkins said. "Many of us who are elected to represent a community will have those moments, and our constituents, whether they agree with us or not, want us...

Poll: Public Split on Same-Sex Marriage, A Gap Between Black Lawmakers and Voters

Thu, 14 May 2009 09:55:00 -0400

ALBANY—A new poll by Quinnipiac University finds New Yorkers are split on the issue of same-sex marriage, 46 to 46, but shows some revealing cross tabs: -- Jews support same-sex marriage 61 to 34 percent. -- Catholics oppose same-sex marriage 53-39 percent. --Protestants oppose it 55-38 percent. -- Voters over 55 oppose same-sex marriage 55 to 37 percent, while younger voters support it; voters between 35 and 54 support the measure 48 to 44 percent and voters between...

Tedisco and Kellner on Bisexuality and Weddings

Wed, 13 May 2009 14:20:00 -0400

ALBANY—Here's a funny exchange between Jim Tedisco and Danny O'Donnell during last night's Assembly debate on same-sex marriage. It starts with O'Donnell, the bill's sponsor, agreeing to yield to Tedisco, saying, "For the congressman, anything." "I wish," Tedisco replied, referencing his recent loss to Scott Murphy in good humor. "Do you have 700 votes in the back of your trunk?" "I'm a Democrat from New York City, you bet I do," O'Donnell replied. Tedisco, sitting in the back...

'Barb and Don' Speak for Same-Sex Marriage

Wed, 13 May 2009 10:07:00 -0400

Hours after the Assembly passed (for the second time) a bill legalizing same-sex marriage, the Empire State Pride Agenda released this web video, which they said will also appear on television. The ad features a straight couple talking about their gay daughter who wants to get married. The move to make a straight couple the face of the same-sex marriage fight is a controversial strategy that has been debated among advocates for some time (most recently...

The Final Assembly Vote on Same-Sex Marriage: 89-52

Tue, 12 May 2009 21:22:00 -0400

ALBANY—After four hours of debate and a technical problem that crashed the chamber's electronic voting mechanisms, the bill legalizing same-sex marriage passed the Assembly by a vote of 89 to 52. The result--not a surprise, but a wider margin than in previous years--was greeted with applause from advocates in the overlooking balconies as well as the members on the floor who supported the measure. There were kisses and hugs for the chamber's three openly gay...

The Same-Sex Marriage Debate; Titone Invokes His Mother, Hikind Invokes God

Tue, 12 May 2009 19:05:00 -0400

ALBANY—The debate on the same-sex marriage bill in the State Assembly began at 4:52 p.m., with bill sponsor Assemblyman Danny O'Donnell calmly answering questions from Assemblyman Jack Quinn. Their exchange was respectful, and at times funny. The first strong position was taken by Assemblyman Mike Fitzpatrick, a Long Island Republican, who opposed the bill because he said it would force organizations or public accommodations with a religious belief—say, a Knights of Columbus Hall—to accept same-sex...

It's a Boy! For Assemblyman Molinaro

Tue, 12 May 2009 18:13:00 -0400

ALBANY—As the debate on the same-sex marriage legislation goes on, an assemblyman just handed me a note saying that Assemblyman Marc Molinaro--who has been absent from the legislative chamber this week--is celebrating the birth of his first son. Jack Henry Molinaro was born at 5:43 p.m. today at Vassar Brothers Medical Center in Poughkeepsie, a strapping 7 pounds, 5 ounces. Jack joins Marc as well as his older sister, Abigail, and Marc's wife Christy. All,...

A Last-Minute Same-Sex Marriage Push From Chuck and Kirsten

Tue, 12 May 2009 14:39:00 -0400

ALBANY—In a letter sent today, Kirsten Gillibrand and Chuck Schumer are urging members of the State Assembly to pass a bill legalizing same-sex marriage. "We have expressed our support for full marriage equality in New York and for a reworking of federal law that denies full federal legal equality to anyone who is lawfully married in any state," the two wrote. "Passage of this bill will be a vital step to achieving that goal." The letter...

After the Vote, An Engagement Party

Tue, 12 May 2009 10:00:00 -0400

ALBANY—Here's the invitation to Assemblyman Danny O'Donnell's engagement party, scheduled for tonight at the tony 74 State hotel, after the expected passage in his chamber, again, of a bill legalizing same-sex marriage. (Note that since the bill's passage in the Senate is uncertain, there's no date on the "marriage license.") "I've been waiting 28 years for this," O'Donnell told me yesterday at the Capitol. His partner, John Banta, is in town for the vote, as...

Assembly Will Vote Tuesday on Same-Sex Marriage Bill

Mon, 11 May 2009 16:54:00 -0400

ALBANY—It's official: the State Assembly will take up a bill on Tuesday that would legalize same-sex marriage, a spokesman confirmed. When asked earlier today, Speaker Sheldon Silver said that the bill would have the votes to pass in his chamber. No one doubts this, in part because an almost identical bill passed the Assembly in 2007. Austin Shafran, a spokesman for Senate Majority Leader Malcolm Smith, said Smith's position on the measure hasn't changed: he supports...

Which State Will Be the Next to Legalize Same-Sex Marriage?

Wed, 06 May 2009 21:55:00 -0400

With the stroke of Governor John Baldacci’s pen, Maine officially became the fifth state in which gay marriage is legal. There seems to be something of a rush toward same-sex marriage afoot, with four states now legalizing it (two through the courts and two through legislative initiatives) in the past year— a far cry from 2004, when a state Supreme Court decision in favor of gay marriage in Massachusetts prompted voters in 11 states to...

Before the Same-Sex Marriage Vote, a Pause for Marchi

Wed, 29 Apr 2009 16:44:00 -0400

ALBANY—The legislative session in both houses next week has been pushed back a few hours to accommodate the funeral of John Marchi, the independent-minded Republican state senator and father of Staten Island secession movement. The State Assembly will convene at 4 p.m. Monday; the State Senate at 5 p.m. Leaders of each chamber are expected to attend the 10 a.m. funeral Mass at Our Lady of Good Counsel Church. This means the Assembly will delay taking...

Marriage Bill Moves in Assembly; Duane Says Senate Will Have 'Spare' Votes

Tue, 28 Apr 2009 17:31:00 -0400

ALBANY—Lobbyists advocating same-sex marriage roamed the halls of the Capitol today, meeting with legislators in the hope they would sign on to support a bill introduced by David Paterson. There is more movement on same-sex marriage in the Assembly. That chamber's judiciary committee today voted 14-5 to advance the bill to the floor. When it will be taken up is not immediately clear, but Assemblyman Danny O'Donnell, its sponsor, says he is confident it will...

Gays Give Paterson a Standing Ovation

Tue, 28 Apr 2009 11:21:00 -0400

ALBANY—An estimated 2,000 people gathered to celebrate "Equality and Justice Day" just gave David Paterson a standing ovation, and chanted "David, David" before the governor gave a speech championing same-sex marriage and casting it as a civil rights issue. Paterson was introduced by Empire State Pride Agenda executive director Alan Van Cappelle, who said, "New York's governor, our governor, the next governor, David A. Paterson." Much of the crowd in the conference center was seated by...

Same-Sex Marriage Bill Goes Live

Thu, 23 Apr 2009 09:24:00 -0400

ALBANY—Here it is, the program bill for same-sex marriage. The bill, which David Paterson announced last week he would put forward, is now live in both houses. It's unclear when the Assembly or State Senate, where its passage is far from certain, will take it up. The legislation is sponsored by Assemblyman Danny O'Donnell and State Senator Tom Duane. Update: Incidentally, a Quinnipiac poll released this morning indicates a majority of voters in New Jersey back...

Bloomberg on Giuliani on Same-Sex Marriage

Wed, 22 Apr 2009 15:40:00 -0400

Here's Michael Bloomberg explaining his support for legalizing same-sex marriage, and putting some distance between himself and his predecessor, (who will be endorsing him). Bloomberg says, "You know, Rudy has a right to his views. I think the polls say that -- there's a new poll out today that says a majority of New Yorkers are in favor of same-sex marriage." The interview was posted on the blog run by the Center for American Politics, a...

Giuliani: Republicans Should Focus on Economics, National Security

Mon, 20 Apr 2009 17:40:00 -0400

ALBANY—Former New York City mayor Rudy Giuliani, in town for the Lincoln-Reagan Day Dinner, told reporters social issues are not the path to success for New York Republicans. "The Republican Party does best when it organizes around economic issues and issues of national security. We end up getting back to being a majority party that way. And on these social issues, I really respect [Dean Skelos] for leaving that to the conscience of the people...

Poll: New Yorkers Reject Paterson, But Accept His Marriage Proposal

Mon, 20 Apr 2009 09:30:00 -0400

ALBANY—David Paterson's political standing remains extraordinarily low, a new poll out today finds. The survey by the Siena Research Institute found Paterson's job approval rating has slipped one point to 18 percent, and his favorability rating is down two points from last month to 27 percent. More than twice as many of the 682 voters surveyed do not approve of the governor, or 63 percent. Both changes are within the poll's margin of error. In seeking...

Smith: 'I Am Fully Committed' to Passing Same-Sex Marriage Bill

Thu, 16 Apr 2009 13:44:00 -0400

ALBANY—Senate Majority Leader Malcolm Smith just came out with this statement on same-sex marriage, which the governor announced legislation for earlier today. Smith did not attend the press event, though four members of his Democratic conference did. So far, it does not appear that the legislation has the 32 votes required to pass the bill in the Senate. I have been and continue to be a strong supporter of marriage equality and remain steadfast in my...

As Paterson Introduces the 'Great Mayor,' the Comptroller Is Elsewhere

Thu, 16 Apr 2009 13:38:00 -0400

While Michael Bloomberg was present at today’s press conference with David Paterson in support of same-sex marriage legislation, his probable Democratic opponent for mayor, City Comptroller Bill Thompson, wasn't. In introducing Bloomberg at the event, Paterson called him the “great mayor” of New York City. Other prominent Democrats have been saying similar things about the mayor, who plans to run for re-election on the Republican line. I emailed Thompson’s spokesman, Jeff Simmons, to ask why his...

Paterson on Same-Sex Marriage, the Mysterious Physics of Albany

Thu, 16 Apr 2009 13:23:00 -0400

Here’s David Paterson at the press conference where he officially announced his same-sex marriage legislation, saying the normal laws of physics don’t apply in Albany (for example "there is no gravity"). Also, he said, “there doesn’t seem to be anybody who understands even what reform...

A Same-Sex-Marriage Marriage Bill for the Senate, Without the Senate Leader

Thu, 16 Apr 2009 11:23:00 -0400

The words "Malcolm Smith" were uttered only once, in passing, during the hour-long press conference in which David Paterson put forward, as promised, a bill legalizing same-sex marriage. The issue has put the state senate majority leader on the spot, with everyone wondering what (if anything) he will do to get the measure through his chamber. There is a general recognition that there are not yet 32 votes to pass a bill there (it has...

Wood War! Who Wins Today's Grabby Tabloid Battle For Your Eyeballs?

Thu, 16 Apr 2009 08:26:38 -0400

Daily News: There are exceptions to every rule. Today, I'd like to address the issue, which we've brought up before, of coming in close on faces. It's almost always a good idea! But this morning's Daily News takes things a bit far. It's obvious enough why they chose this picture: the city's new Archbishop, Timothy Dolan, is posing with a proudly displayed framed copy of yesterday's Daily News, on which he also starred.

Yesterday, St....

O'Donnell: We're Ready for the Same-Sex-Marriage Fight

Wed, 15 Apr 2009 09:13:00 -0400

ALBANY—Assemblyman Danny O'Donnell, who sponsored a 2007 bill to legalize same-sex marriage, said he was told the bill David Paterson will introduce Thursday is an identical program bill. He is confident it will pass again in the Assembly, and had this to say about the State Senate: "When Governor Spitzer introduced his bill in 2007, we did not have the votes in the Assembly to pass the bill, but over time, we were able...

Same-Sex Marriage and the Paterson Variable

Tue, 14 Apr 2009 10:00:00 -0400

ALBANY—It looks like David Paterson is determined to put same-sex marriage to a vote in the Senate, even if it means failure, because it will force lawmakers to go on the record. (This is not the tradition in Albany.) The thing is, the failure of the legislation, if it comes to it, is pretty much assured: as the same-sex marriage advocates who poured money into Democratic campaigns in 2008 have found out, the 32-30 Democratic...

Pro-Same-Sex-Marriage Senator Not Pleased With Paterson's Push

Thu, 09 Apr 2009 13:28:00 -0400

ALBANY—David Paterson's suggestion of bringing same-sex marriage to the floor of the State Senate is getting a less-than-warm reception there from proponents of same-sex marriage. "This is what I think: This isn't Las Vegas, and I'm not willing to gamble with a new strategy on anyone's civil rights. And that's what I have to say," State Senator Tom Duane, the only openly gay member of the chamber and the bill's sponsor, said in a brief...