NY Senate votes 'no' to gay marriage :-(- Page 3

[zoraksferal]

Posted: 12/2/09 at 7:58pm

It is only a matter of time before it is legalized. I am actually really shocked about the failure of its passage this time around, but as tolerance grows, so does the odds of gay marriage coming to be, and the vote was close enough to see the future trend and outcome of a future vote on such a thing.

[jasonf]

Posted: 12/2/09 at 8:17pm

I've said before on this board and I'll say it again - I will NEVER understand why so many people are anti-equal rights for all people. Gay marriage honestly doesn't affect me in any way other than that it disgusts me that so many people use it as a tool to show their hatred and own insecurities on their fellow human beings. Have faith and keep working - one day all those ignorant jackasses will have to learn to live with the married men next door.

[romantico]

Posted: 12/2/09 at 8:23pm

Look at the politicians who are against gay marriage who have been unfaithful to their wives.These are the people saying Gay Marriage is immoral and wrong and will threaten the sanctity of marriage.These hypocrites are passing laws and somehow keep getting voted into power.Gays and lesbians need to take names and go out of their way,despite political party, and get those who voted against this today OUT OF OFFICE!We need to do with it anger,venom, and determination.Reading some of the backgrounds of those today who voted against marriage equality really makes me sick.These people should not be in power at all.

[PalJoey]

Posted: 12/2/09 at 8:49pm

Every single Senate Republican plus:

• Joseph Addabbo (D-Queens) — NO
• Darrel Aubertine (D- Cape Vincent) — NO
• Ruben Diaz (D-Bronx) — NO
• Shirley Huntley (D-Queens) — NO
• Carl Kruger (D-Brooklyn) — NO
• Hiram Monserrate (D-Queens) — NO
• George Onorato (D-Queens) — NO
• William Stachowski (D-Buffalo) — NO

[DottieD'Luscia]

Posted: 12/2/09 at 8:51pm

Rubin Diaz is no big surprise. The man is vile.

[Q]

Posted: 12/2/09 at 9:00pm

Four Dems from Queens, huh? It's almost as if they were screaming, "We may be liberals from QUEENS (*wink, wink*) but we're not GAY!!!"

[jacobtsf]

Posted: 12/2/09 at 9:17pm

For those who have not done so, please watch the video on the NY Times blog of Sen. Adams. I salute Sen. Adams for having the balls to stand on that senate floor and compare the current fight for equality to the fight for racial equality.

[jrb_actor]

Posted: 12/2/09 at 9:19pm

--Jared & I will have to spend the MONEY and TIME traveling to CT to be legally married the day before our wedding.

--We are moving to Queens next year where I will inevitably be represented by one of those 8 Dems. I will be certain to inform them how their new constituents will be voting when their reelection comes up.

--I am debating whether or not to pay my city/state taxes next year. The thing is--I'm not sure it would make the impact worth the expenses I would incur because of such an action. I would only be hurting myself and my future husband. Thinking it would be better to spend that money supporting pro-gay Senate candidates and the efforts of groups like Lambda Legal. But, I am damned angry that I have to pay taxes for inequality. It's bad enough that in 2011, we will be able to file state/city together, but not Fed taxes.

--Disgusted. Personally and directly affected by this along with my fellow NY gays. However, not losing my hope or my belief that WE SHALL OVERCOME.

Updated On: 12/2/09 at 09:19 PM

[iflitifloat]

Posted: 12/2/09 at 10:17pm

I'm really pissed. And sorry.

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 12/2/09 at 11:03pm

When you take a step out of the situation, it becomes incredulous that in the past year this country has pretty much been giving the finger at gay people in this way. It's like a memo went out in late 2008 that said, "Okay, we might already be a generally homophobic nation, but this year we're gonna turn it up a notch. Let's roll (a queer!)!"

I feel like those angry people at the town hall meetings (except my anger was my own decision and it's rooted in facts and critical thinking) who say they don't recognize their own country. All I can think is now the F*CKING Jesus crazy people can say, "The people have voted; the senate has spoke; this country does NOT want gay marriage." I shouldn't be so hard on my country. I mean, it's not like this is Uganda!

Mostly though, I feel impotent. I feel like my party and my president sold me out.

Part of me wanted to scoff and scold Jerby when he said he didn't want to pay his taxes a few posts above, but even writing this I think it's time we start doing whatever the F*CK we want.

When is enough enough?

[NYadgal]

Posted: 12/2/09 at 11:29pm

Governor Paterson's response:

“It is always darkest before the dawn. The darkest day in the history of the American civil rights movement was in 1857 when the Supreme Court ruled against Dred Scott, making slavery legal north of the 36th parallel. That was the darkest day for the abolitionists. But when we look back in history, we forget that this was only five years before the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation in September of 1862.

“I understand the anger; I understand the frustration; I understand the feeling of betrayal; and I understand the profound disappointment of those who came to Albany today thinking they could get married tomorrow. But I am also here to tell you that we are not back to square one.

“Governors don’t come to the Senate floor after losing a vote. This one does, because this is a fight that is bigger than one legislative vote. This is a civil rights issue. Marriage equality is as important as the emancipation of any group from oppression and the granting of equal rights to any community.

“I believe in my heart that if people had voted their consciences today, we would be celebrating marriage equality tonight. That did not happen. As disappointed as we are today, let’s get up tomorrow and redouble our efforts. We are going to lay the foundation to make people feel comfortable to vote their conscience and not fear political backlash.

“Now we know who we have to talk to. We are going to quash the intimidation; we are going to alleviate the pressure; we are going to move this issue back to the floor of the Senate and we are going to have marriage equality in New York State and equal rights for everybody.”

[NYadgal]

Posted: 12/2/09 at 11:31pm

From Senator Liz Krueger:

“While I was pleased that the Senate finally had the decency to bring same-sex marriage legislation up for a vote today, I am extremely disappointed in the failure of so many of my colleagues to recognize the ability to marry as a basic civil right for all. At least we now know where every Senator stands on this critical issue and I expect that a number of them will soon be hearing from some very angry constituents for denying them equal rights.

I am hopeful that today was only the beginning of a process that will result in the eventual passage of a same-sex marriage bill.”

[NYadgal]

Posted: 12/2/09 at 11:32pm

From Sen. Eric Schneiderman, in an open letter to supporters:

With the Senate voting down marriage equality, this is a sad day for the state of New York, and a heartbreaking defeat for justice. But this fight is far from over.

Now that we know where every member of the Senate stands on the issue of marriage equality, we have our work cut out for us. We will keep fighting, keep working, and keep pushing until every New Yorker has the fundamental civil rights that come with a marriage license.

The day will come soon when ALL men and women of this state will be recognized as equal, endowed by their Creator with the unalienable rights of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Justice and equality will prevail.

[jrb_actor]

Posted: 12/2/09 at 11:33pm

Why would my comment have deserved scoffing and scolding? (Sincerely asking.)

[PalJoey]

Posted: 12/2/09 at 11:33pm

Four members of the New York Senate who do New York proud:



Senator Diane Savino:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dCFFxidhcy0


Senator Ruth Hassell-Thompson

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o1criD7cMfs


My senator, Senator Liz Krueger:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1GmL1VKPpDg


Senator Eric Schneiderman

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p_oUaaicLas

[NYadgal]

Posted: 12/2/09 at 11:35pm

...the common thread in each of these messages (and many others) is: now we know where every member of the Senate stands.

GET OUT THERE AND VOICE YOUR ANGER!

If every time every one of us posts a reply on BWW or Facebook or any other message board we send a letter or email or place a call to our elected officials we will start to get things done! Channel the blogging and posting energy to getting the message out to where it matters!

Action. Now! I intend to spend a great deal of time and energy voicing my opposition to this vote!

Updated On: 12/2/09 at 11:35 PM

[jrb_actor]

Posted: 12/2/09 at 11:38pm

I highly recommend joining the mailing list below. Blake sends action steps weekly (that all Americans can do--not just NYers) and lets you know when rallies are taking place in NYC.

http://www.blakehayes.com/equalityarmy/

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 12/2/09 at 11:46pm

Jerbs, it would have been nothing personal, I phrased it that way because I liked the alliteration. I just had knee jerk reaction to that sentiment (like I usually do) but the more I thought about the more I thought that that's no better or worse than a march or whatever people choose to do to voice their feelings, etc. Then I realized you probably file your taxes differently than I do, and that it probably would be more work and more money where you are concerned. At any rate, I was just being a bitch, but with no malice intended.

Oh, and not that I'm any sort of spokesman for the gay community, but I appreciate all the straight folks who have made this their concern as well. And I urge everyone to listen to Addy's call to make your voice heard.

[NYadgal]

Posted: 12/2/09 at 11:51pm

We are all in this together, PRS!

There is nothing right about a citizen of the United States being denied equal rights. Nothing.

This matters. This matters so much.

[Q]

Posted: 12/3/09 at 12:15am

I liked Governor Paterson's official statement.

[jrb_actor]

Posted: 12/3/09 at 12:18am

Well, I was genuinely interested in your thoughts (believe it or not).

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 12/3/09 at 12:29am

I'm sure what my thoughts thoughts are. It's Uganda, it's this, it's my own life. I just don't really know anymore.

I was angry after Prop 8, and I marched and rallied and I canvassed and got my voice out.

And I feel worse for people who are actively wanting to get married, like you and your adorable little fiance.

How do you find real leadership? We don't need corporate sponsorship like the tea partiers (happy, BWW?) but where is our ... Timothy Leary? Why isn't Dan Savage leading us and why is not cheating on his (in some places) husband with me?

Honestly, if you want my two cents, I think it's time to really play dirty. I think it's time to get in bed with the fundies. Put a tack in gay marriage and let's start trying to get stronger divorce laws. It's been said before (although I like to think it originated with me, much as I do with the expression who's your daddy - I said it 1991!) but it bears repeating - if people are really serious about marriage and its sanctity, then they need to be protected. I wouldn't even go all Atwoodian and nullify any marriage but a first for both parties, but I think going forward we need to push for national covenant marriages.

[Q]

Posted: 12/3/09 at 12:31am

I honestly long for a recognized public voice on this issue.

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 12/3/09 at 12:33am

Dan Savage. I will be his Katherine Hepburn.

[Q]

Posted: 12/3/09 at 12:37am

I'll be George Cukor throwing parties in the background.