Dave2112
Level of Cherry Feather
- Joined
- Apr 17, 2001
- Messages
- 10,294
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As a straight person completely dedicated to gay-rights issues, I could not be happier that the great state of New York has passed into law a bill making gay marriage legal. New York becomes the sixth and largest state to legalize gay marriage (along with the District of Columbia). And what's really cool is that New York's marriage laws already permit out-of-state residents to marry within the state...something most other gay rights states don't have. This will be a boon not only for those who will come to New York to finally be recognized as dignified people, but economically to the economy of the state.
What is truly amazing about this is the bipartisan way in which it was done. Now, I'm in Pittsburgh now, but I am from New York and will always be a New Yorker. I have never been more proud of my home state. I have always been very closely attached to the politics of New York and I know what goes on in Albany. For a GOP-controlled state Senate to pass gay marriage into law is a wake-up call for those who still cling to archaic "morality". Politically speaking, this is tantamount to the Civil Rights Movement in the 60's. Once a state like New York does this...the rest of the states will come along like dominoes over the next decade. We, as a society, are finally moving into not only the 21st Century...but finally coming out of the 18th.
For those of you unfamiliar with New York politics, this bill failed several times in the past, with a Democratically-controlled Senate. A weak governor and a complete unwillingness to consider amendments killed it. (Not to mention a corrupt and since-convicted state Minority leader.) What got a lot of Republicans on board for this was the compromise on an amendment that protects religious institutions from discrimination lawsuits should a priest, Rabbi, pastor or the like refuse to perform a ceremony on moral grounds.
This is important for reasons many need to fully grasp. This is an amazing compromise in this partisan political climate we've been forced into of late. To be honest, as a liberal and an atheist, I personally disagree with a priest or such refusing to marry a gay couple. BUT...I can agree to the legal protection. I can see both sides and can make a legal argument for both points of view. This is called COMPROMISE and should be the standard for negotiations in the political arena. Both sides get the important things they want, and both come out looking like the grown adults they are. Capitol Hill could learn a lot from the New York Senate here. And I do mean a LOT.
This is a MAJOR success for the gay-rights movement, and for the freedoms of all Americans to be what they are without discrimination. All men and women should enjoy the freedom to be and express what they are without the government saying no. This is a huge victory.
Thanks, New York!
What is truly amazing about this is the bipartisan way in which it was done. Now, I'm in Pittsburgh now, but I am from New York and will always be a New Yorker. I have never been more proud of my home state. I have always been very closely attached to the politics of New York and I know what goes on in Albany. For a GOP-controlled state Senate to pass gay marriage into law is a wake-up call for those who still cling to archaic "morality". Politically speaking, this is tantamount to the Civil Rights Movement in the 60's. Once a state like New York does this...the rest of the states will come along like dominoes over the next decade. We, as a society, are finally moving into not only the 21st Century...but finally coming out of the 18th.
For those of you unfamiliar with New York politics, this bill failed several times in the past, with a Democratically-controlled Senate. A weak governor and a complete unwillingness to consider amendments killed it. (Not to mention a corrupt and since-convicted state Minority leader.) What got a lot of Republicans on board for this was the compromise on an amendment that protects religious institutions from discrimination lawsuits should a priest, Rabbi, pastor or the like refuse to perform a ceremony on moral grounds.
This is important for reasons many need to fully grasp. This is an amazing compromise in this partisan political climate we've been forced into of late. To be honest, as a liberal and an atheist, I personally disagree with a priest or such refusing to marry a gay couple. BUT...I can agree to the legal protection. I can see both sides and can make a legal argument for both points of view. This is called COMPROMISE and should be the standard for negotiations in the political arena. Both sides get the important things they want, and both come out looking like the grown adults they are. Capitol Hill could learn a lot from the New York Senate here. And I do mean a LOT.
This is a MAJOR success for the gay-rights movement, and for the freedoms of all Americans to be what they are without discrimination. All men and women should enjoy the freedom to be and express what they are without the government saying no. This is a huge victory.
Thanks, New York!
