A same-sex marraige bill, drafted by Governer Eliot Spitzer, won in the New York State Assembly this week. Alas, it didn’t even come to the floor in the State Senate, and the state legislature’s session ended this week, so the bill is dead for this year. Nevertheless, the win in the State Assembly was an important symbolic victory, increasing the likelihood that we’ll win equal marriage rights sometime within the next two years.
The big hurdle will continue to be the Republican-controlled State Senate, with majority leader Joseph L. Bruno, who opposes same-sex marriage. Elections aren’t until 2008, but, given that the Republicans hold only a very slim majority (by 2 seats), we might possibly get lucky in a mid-term election or two.
Below are relevant news stories:
- Assembly Gay Marriage Win! by Paul Schindler, Gay City News, June 21, 2007
- New York assembly passes same-sex marriage with bipartisan support by Kerry Eleveld, The Advocate, June 21, 2007
- NY Gay Marriage Bill Declared ‘Dead On Arrival’ In Senate, 365Gay.com, June 20, 2007
- State’s landmark gay marriage debate by James T. Madores, AM New York, June 20, 2007
- Gay marriage Bill passes Assembly by Cara Matthews, Gannett News Service, Elmira Star-Gazette, NY, June 20, 2007
- Gay Marriage, a Touchy Issue, Touches Legislators’ Emotions by Michael M. Geynbaum, New York Times, June 21, 2007
- New York’s state Assembly approves gay marriage bill by Marc Humbert, Associated Press, New York Newsday June 19, 2007, another copy on the Staten Island Advance site, and a shorter version on the New York Blade site
- Same sex marriage debate by Bill Carey, News 10 Now (central New York State), 6/20/2007
Some older stories:
- Poll shows split support for same-sex marriages by William Kates, Associated Press, June 19, 2007, New York Newsday
- Marriage Vote Countdown, New York Blade, Friday, June 15, 2007
On gay rights issues generally:
- Gay-rights groups buoyed by recent gains: Progress keeps rights leaders encouraged, Associated press, New York Blade, June 19, 2007
