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Paterson to Push for Gay Marriage

But bill's passage through the NY legislature is not certain

By Nick McMaster, Newser Staff

Posted Apr 14, 2009 11:21 AM CDT

(Newser) – Gov. David Paterson plans to introduce a bill to legalize same-sex marriage, the New York Times reports, doing so without the customary cultivation of legislative support in the wake of laws legalizing gay unions in Iowa and Vermont. Sources close to the governor say he feels New York should plow ahead in order to make a statement. Paterson will announce his plans on Thursday.

The governor intends to introduce the same bill that Eliot Spitzer proposed in 2007, which passed the Assembly but did not make it to the Senate. Supporters of gay marriage, while encouraged, note that Paterson’s bill could be heavily delayed even if ultimately successful—the previous bill took two months to get through the Assembly. “This is not a guarantee of anything,” said an Upper East Side Democrat.

New York Gov. David Paterson stands behind a stack of petitions presented to him in Albany, NY, by Drop the Rock Coalition members calling for repeal of the stringent Rockefeller drug laws. (AP Photo/Mike Groll, File)

New York Gov. David Paterson speaks during a student town hall meeting at Morrisville State College in Morrisville, NY, Thursday, Feb. 12, 2009. (AP Photo/Mike Groll)

New York Gov. David Paterson and wife Michelle Paige-Paterson share a laugh during the New York State Women of Excellence Awards ceremony at the Capitol in Albany, NY, Tuesday, March 24, 2009. (AP Photo/Mike Groll)

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Paterson to Push for Gay Marriage

But bill's passage through the NY legislature is not certain

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But some Republicans hope to skip the contentious issue

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Prop 8 ruling is limited to California, providing a potential reason to skip

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Declares Prop 8 unconstitutional, paving way for Supreme Court decision

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Paterson to Push for Gay Marriage

But bill's passage through the NY legislature is not certain

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OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

gay rights • gay marriage • Eliot Spitzer • David Paterson • culture wars • state assembly

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

GOP Lawmakers Want to Repeal Gay Marriage in NH

But some Republicans hope to skip the contentious issue

Washington State Legalizing Gay Marriage

Bill expected to be signed within days

Supreme Court's Move on Gay Marriage? Maybe Not

Prop 8 ruling is limited to California, providing a potential reason to skip

Why Supporting Gay Marriage Is Smart Business

Frank Bruni on why Starbucks, Microsoft, and others are backing change

Court Blocks California's Ban on Gay Marriage

Declares Prop 8 unconstitutional, paving way for Supreme Court decision

About Us

Site

Newser By Users

Community

Site Maps

Tools

More News

What is Newser?