New York state Sen. Tom Duane, a Democrat from Manhattan, on Monday said he has assurances from more than the 32 senators needed that they will vote for a bill to legalize marriage in that state, and Duane has predicted that the vote will come before the end of the month, according to the New York Daily News.
Duane wouldn’t say who those senators were, but he did say they included some Republicans.
Senate Majority leader Malcolm Smith, a Democrat from Queens, and gay rights advocates with Empire State Pride would say only the effort to enact same-sex marriage in New York is gaining momentum.
The measure easily passed the state Assembly last month, and Gov. David Paterson not only supports marriage equality but was the one who got the issue brought up in this legislative session.
This to me is a non-issue. If you don’t agree with marriage equality, don’t marry someone of the same sex! As a school teacher, I don’t ever recall reading/citing the words…”with liberty and justice for ALL†and seeing the word, “except.†Separate but equal does not, has not and should not work! We can not “eenie meenie miney moe†through our neighborhoods and point to who is allowed marriage or not. Many read the Bible more literally, others more metaphorically (or more emphasis on legalism rather than love), however each should be respected. We also need to take cultural, as well as historical, perspectives into consideration when reading the Bible. Yes our country was founded on Christianity, however many would argue it was also found on slavery and without woman’s rights. We are a Nation continually moving in the direction of Justice! Lastly, if we want “traditional†marriage we must be careful in using the Bible as a reference. In Biblical days men had multiple wives and usually treated them as property and baby bearers only. Lot had sex with his daughters. We cannot use the Bible (or certain parts of it that are convenient) to set our moral compass with regards to sexuality or just certain relationships. As a Christian and American, I am for equality, love, and acceptance for all human life. God bless you, see you in heaven. – Stephanie
Never have I undetrstood how we, as a country, can have “equality for all” and make exceptions. Stephanie, I want to thasnlk you personally for your support of what this country is made of. Equality for ALL, not all but a few, and not what it was founded on. Further to what you said, we can’t base our rules on the bible because we have a litttle thing called “searation of church and state” what ever happened to that clause? Is that another “separation unless…” thing?
We’ve never been a truly equal society- suffrage and segragation as an example. We need to move toward equality, a true equality, and move quickly. No group should be denied rights given to others, for any reason whatsoever.
This would be an amazing story for New York on the 40th anniversary of Stonewall.
Now I can’t determine which Gay Pride event to attend this month. Washington or NY? Decisions….decisions. Matk
Good going, New York! I am so happy for my many friends there in NYC. What a great state with great people.
‘yes our country was founded on Christianity,”
Hi Stephanie
I agree with your sentiments, but I have to point out that our country was actually NOT founded on christianity. The Treaty of Peace and Friendship between the United States and the Bey and Subjects of Tripoli of Barbary in June 1797 states in
Art. 11. As the Government of the United States of America is not, in any sense, founded on the Christian religion; as it has in itself no character of enmity against the laws, religion, or tranquillity, of Mussulmen; and, as the said States never entered into any war, or act of hostility against any Mahometan nation, it is declared by the parties, that no pretext arising from religious opinions, shall ever produce an interruption of the harmony existing between the two countries.
Authored by American diplomat Joel Barlow in 1796, the following treaty was sent to the floor of the Senate, June 7, 1797, where it was read aloud in its entirety and unanimously approved. John Adams, having seen the treaty, signed it and proudly proclaimed it to the Nation.
The idea that we are a christian nation is not what the founding fathers intended