New York Thinking About Legalizing Same-Sex Marriage

Today's New York Times notes that Governor Paterson is planning to submit a bill legalizing same-sex marriage:

Gov. David A. Paterson plans to introduce legislation on Thursday to make marriage between same-sex couples legal in New York, advancing his push for greater rights for gay men and lesbians, at a time when other states have done so.

Mr. Paterson’s plans represent the most public effort yet by the governor, who has been a consistent supporter of gay rights, to position himself and New York at the crest of a broadening national movement.

However, even with a Democratic NY Congress, the bill's passage is far from assured:

But it is also something of a political gamble, because the legislation faces an uphill climb in the State Senate. Democrats acknowledge that they do not have enough votes there to get the measure approved, meaning that its chances could rest in the hands of a few Republicans.

The governor also risks alienating socially conservative voters at a time when he can least afford to drive away any more support.

On the heels of the Iowa Supreme Court decision overturning the ban on same-sex marriage and the Vermont Legislature's override of a veto banning such marriages, clearly Paterson is hoping to capitalize on the current momentum to pass the bill.   Although nothing is guaranteed, it is certainly a step in the right direction! 

Comments

[Tim Zinnecker]

Laura, you mean the "left" direction, don't you?

[Laura]

Touche, Tim! Perhaps the correct direction, in my view?