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NY State Assembly OKs Gay-Marriage Bill

Some change vote from 2007; bill heads to Senate

By Matt Cantor,  Newser Staff

Posted May 13, 2009 10:24 AM CDT
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(Newser) – The New York State Assembly passed a measure last night legalizing gay marriage, setting up a heated battle to the state senate. The 89-52 vote saw several lawmakers who voted against gay marriage in 2007 change sides, the New York Times reports. “That vote just never felt right to me,” said a legislator who changed his position. "That little voice kept gnawing away at me."

Another lawmaker said a lesbian couple on her street had inspired her shift to a “yes” vote.  “The margin of victory and the balance of where the people come from who voted for this is broadening,” said an assemblyman. Advocates for both sides of the issue are turning up the pressure as the bill goes to the senate. “We can’t look the other way,” said the Conservative Party’s chairman.

Sen. James Alesi, R-Fairport, center, talks to gay rights advocates in the Senate lobby at the Capitol in Albany, NY, Tuesday, April 28, 2009.
Sen. James Alesi, R-Fairport, center, talks to gay rights advocates in the Senate lobby at the Capitol in Albany, NY, Tuesday, April 28, 2009.   (AP Photo/Mike Groll)
Eduar Medina of Brooklyn, center, joins others during a gay rights rally outside the Capitol in Albany, NY, Tuesday, April 28, 2009. Gay rights advocates want the Legislature to legalize gay marriage.
Eduar Medina of Brooklyn, center, joins others during a gay rights rally outside the Capitol in Albany, NY, Tuesday, April 28, 2009. Gay rights advocates want the Legislature to legalize gay marriage.   (AP Photo/Mike Groll)
Gay rights advocate Matthew Arnold-Lloyd of Albany, NY, right, meets nose to nose with an unidentified man opposed to gay marriage during a rally at the Capitol in Albany, Tuesday, April 28, 2009.
Gay rights advocate Matthew Arnold-Lloyd of Albany, NY, right, meets nose to nose with an unidentified man opposed to gay marriage during a rally at the Capitol in Albany, Tuesday, April 28, 2009.   (AP Photo/Mike Groll)
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COMMENTS
Showing 2 of 2 comments
bcfilmguy
May 13, 2009 4:43 AM CDT
Wish the righties would wake up and realize that, as history has shown us, when you're trying to stop civil rights, it's a losing battle. All they can do is try to slow it down, but it's going to happen. We've had gay marriage for years in Canada. It hasn't affected straight people at all. The world keeps on spinning. America needs to step it up. All of this debating and feuding has been played out a thousand times over. Just get on with it!
Mad
May 13, 2009 4:07 AM CDT
I really wish I could meet an anti-Gay marriage advocate that could clearly articulate their stand point - without spitting and spewing, wildly gestating and acting all queer

Senate leader says he won't raise measure unless votes are there
New York Daily News

Analysis: Senate passage faces numerous hurdles
Times Union (Albany)

 
gay marriage • New York • state senate • bill • state assembly

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