More Protests in New York City Over Failed Marriage Bill; Pro- and Anti-Marriage Equality Forces Face Off in New Jersey Rally

Last night Gov. David Paterson, Sen. Tom Duane, NYC City Council Speaker Christine Quinn and more showed up to the second protest in two nights, this time at Union Square.

Andy Towle of Towleroad guessed that possibly more than a thousand people showed up to voice their dissatisfaction with New York's senate voting down the marriage bill 24-38. A bill that had passed the Assembly three times. A bill on which eight democratic senators, who have their jobs because of major LGBT support, voted against.

Yeah, I'd be protesting, too.

Sen. Tom Duane rightfully gets "angry at the betrayal."

The crowd.

Joe.My.God said of the rally and the forthcoming backlash:

Throughout the crowd and from the stage, threats of retribution rained down on the "Hate 38," the Senators that voted against equality. Particular scorn was heaped upon the eight traitorous Democrats, whose faces adorn many placards and who were named and shamed from the microphone. Hearty cheers went up whenever our new heroes like Sen. Ruth Hassell-Thompson were mentioned. The crowd was instructed about the coming 2010 elections and the NYC seats now in everyone's crosshairs. The evening was definitely not another useless venting of rage, as these things are often characterized.

Joe Sudbay takes the topic of retribution and runs with it at AmericaBlog as well as Crain's Insider.

John R. Bohrer of Blue Jersey has done a great podcast on what is going down in New Jersey. Due to massive lobbying coordinated by Garden State Equality, the state Senate Judiciary Committee will vote on the New Jersey marriage bill Monday. It must get through them before it goes to the full senate. If it does, the full senate will vote Thursday



Read the New Jersey's Star-Ledger's editorial, "Gay marriage: Equality poses no threat to marriage or religion."

ACTION: From Garden State Equality.

Images of New York by Andy Towle

Lead Sponsor of New York's Marriage Bill Sen. Duane: "I Am Enraged"; Protest Held in Times Square

Sen. Tom Duane, who has spent a majority of the year working behind the scenes to get New York's marriage bill to the floor to a vote, and who at point said he had all the votes needed to pass, officially responded in a statement to the bill failing.

Today’s vote against Marriage Equality makes me very angry. Promises made were not honored. The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) community, and all fair-minded New Yorkers have been betrayed. I am enraged, deeply disappointed and profoundly saddened by the vote today.

In 2006, when the New York State Court of Appeals shamefully ruled that the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) community did not have equal protection under the law in relation to Marriage Equality, I predicted that passing legislation to right this wrong in the State Senate would be a profound personal and sadly political battle.

I have been proven right.

Yet there is an irony in today’s vote. Five years ago no one would have predicted that a vote would even be possible in the Senate. Today, on the floor of the Senate, we had an open and honest debate about the indignity of denying Marriage Equality to thousands of New York’s LGBT citizens. We heard stories of family members and friends who have suffered merely because they are gay. Only one Senator, who opposed marriage, spoke on behalf of that position. Again, an honest debate of which only one side, sadly not the winning side, represented justice and equality.

Now that this discussion has started in the Senate, it cannot be stopped. We will see Marriage Equality pass in New York. Yes, not today, but in the near future -- openly and with bi-partisan support.

I want to applaud those friends and advocates in the LGBT community who insisted on a vote, regardless of the outcome. This was very brave and it was the right thing to do. I was honored to bring the bill to the floor of the Senate, for an up or down vote, with their support.

Today also brought home the fact that the State Senate must maintain a Democratic majority– and in even greater numbers. It was only under Democratic leadership that this vote was possible. We must also have a Governor willing to sign marriage equality into law.

Most importantly I am grateful to all my Democratic colleagues who spoke so eloquently in favor of marriage equality and all those who voted in the affirmative. I also believe in redemption, even for State Senators who need that chance.

I am confident that we will win the fight for marriage equality in New York State.

Within hours of yesterday's devastating vote, 200 to 300 protesters crowded into Times Square despite the cold rain to voice their disappointment with the Senate's failure to stand up for civil rights.



Blabbeando blogger Andres Duque has done a great post with amazing photos covering the protest, one of which I posted here. Blogger Joe.My.God was also there, voicing in particular his disdain for Democratic senators Hiram Monserrate, who at one point said he would vote for marriage equality, and Ruben Diaz, who has a long history of outright bigotry. Andrew Towle reports on the most "heinous defector."

Another rally is scheduled tonight in Union Square.

Reporter Rex Wockner has written a piece on yesterday's vote and the impact it has had.

Image by Andres Duque

BREAKING: New York Senate Expected to Vote on Marriage Equality Bill Tuesday

After much speculation on whether or not the New York Senate would finally vote on the state's marriage equality bill, Gov. David Paterson announced that he has called the senate in for a special session Tuesday and has added the bill to the agenda.

From Empire State Pride Agenda Executive Director Alan Van Capelle:

November 5, 2009--“Marriage equality has been an issue Governor Paterson has long championed and we are thrilled he has called the State Senate back to Albany next Tuesday and put the marriage equality bill on the agenda. We now expect that we will get the respectful debate and vote that we’ve been waiting for since June.

There is never a wrong time or inconvenient time to debate human rights legislation because it’s always the right time. As long as a group of New Yorkers are being denied equal rights, addressing issues like marriage equality must always be a priority. Support for providing equal rights to LGBT New Yorkers has always been bipartisan, and we expect that this bill will be no different.

We look forward to hearing our lives and our families debated on the Senate floor next Tuesday. It’s now time that each of the 62 State Senators vote their conscience on this bill that has great implications for hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers in all parts of the state.”

Openly gay Senator Tom Duane, sponsor of the bill, has claimed that he has all the votes needed to get it passed. The bill has already been approved by the state Assembly.

ACTION: If you live in New York, call your senator!

We all eagerly wait to see a victory. It could act as a great sage for the wounds inflicted in Maine.

New York Gov. Paterson Believes Marriage Equality to Pass Within Coming Weeks

New York state has seen its share of drama in the senate this past year. The state's marriage equality bill, pushed by Gov. David Paterson, passed the state Assembly back in May, but by the time it advanced the Senate experienced a power coup and the bill lay dormant.

Now that Gov. Paterson is calling yet another special session, he believes it will pass.

The New York Times reports:

Paterson said he expects the state Senate to give the measure final legislative approval in weeks ahead and then he will sign it, making New York the seventh state to legalize same-sex marriage. Paterson can't force the Senate to take up the bill and admitted to reporters he can't guarantee its approval, but he says he's now confident it will pass, as advocates and sponsors of the bill in Albany have been quietly working to build support.


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Paterson's statements Thursday came at the fall dinner in Manhattan of the influential gay rights group Empire State Pride Agenda. He said New York will have marriage equality ''as a result of a law we will pass in the New York Senate, already passed in the Assembly, and will be signed by the governor, just in the next few weeks.''


The 1,200 people at the dinner cheered Paterson's remarks.


"No longer in New York" will same-sex couples have to worry about insurance coverage, being allowed to visit each other hospitals, or whether they will be guaranteed the same rights as other married couples under law, he said.


Paterson said he's spoken to advocates lobbying senators and "they believe if I put the bill on the calendar, it will pass. ... I believe it will pass."

Here's Paterson's speech thanks to Good As You.





Elizabeth Benjamin of the New York Daily News attended the dinner and reported that Empire State Pride Agenda's Executive Director Alan Van Capelle had harsh words for the Senators, including Tom Duane, the openly gay sponsor of the marriage equality bill.

"Tonight I say the time for making cases is past," Van Capelle said. "The time for petty partisan finger pointing is past. The time for lame excuses, for botched maneuvers and simple, plain old foot dragging is past."


"The time to get this bill to the floor of the New York state Senate is now. The time for the state Senate to acknowledge our existence is now the time for us to hear our lives - our lives! - debated on the floor of the New York state Senate is now."


"Sen. John Sampson, you’re the leader of the state Senate. Sen. Tom Duane, you have told us on multiple occasions that you have the votes to pass this bill. Give us the dignity the rights and the respect we deserve bring this bill to a floor for a debate and a vote. If we win let us celebrate and if we go down we know what we need to do in 2010. Period."


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"We have campaigned for you. We have raised money for you we have supported you in every way imaginable, and we should have no patience for these sorry summer soldiers," Van Capelle said.


"Now is not the time for half hearted you must risk yourselves as we risk ourselves every day. We must fight and work for equality as we fight and work for equality every day and if you do not, we can find other friends who will do that job for us and do it better than you."

I feel his frustration. The New York Senate has been ridiculed for its incompetence and puerile behavior, including locking each other out of chambers or holding simultaneous competitive sessions in an effort to gain power.

We have heard numerous times from both Gov. Paterson and Sen. Duane that the bill would pass within a matter of weeks, and then those weeks would pass with no action.

So I guess I'll believe it when I see it.

ACTION: If you're a New Yorker, join Empire State Pride Agenda's action and call your senator and tell them to vote for the marriage equality bill!

New York Senator Tom Duane "Certain" Marriage Equality Bill Will Pass By End of Year

New York's Sen. Tom Duane, the openly gay sponsor of the state's troubled marriage equality bill, told the Advocate Sunday that he was “certain” the bill would be passed “before the end of the year.” This is a shift from when he thought it would pass in September.

Asked when he expected the marriage equality bill would pass, the senator said he was “optimistic by the November election, which would help us with Maine. I am optimistic about that, and certain before the end of the year.”

Pressed for a more specific timetable, however, Duane gestured as if he were looking into a Magic 8 Ball, an analogy he used previously to describe the obscure and chaotic politics of the New York state senate, where Democrats hold a narrow majority. “It’s Albany,” said Duane. “So, you know.”

This bill has faced many an obstacle. In April the unpopular Gov. David Paterson introduced the bill and it passed the state Assembly in May. On to the senate it went only to be stalled after a power coup took place and all drama brook loose.

Soon it was believed that the bill died after extraordinary session after extraordinary session failed to get childish Senate to address state issues.

With a special session called in September to deal with the state's budget, Gov. Paterson announced he would resubmit the marriage equality legislation which followed with Sen. Duane and the governor stating they believed there would be a vote by the end of the month.

But it didn't happen.

So this new quote of Sen. Duane in the Advocate now pushes the deadline of a hopeful vote some time before next year.

Let's keep our fingers crossed and support the efforts of our allies in the New York Senate.

NY Governor Paterson Intends to Resubmit Marriage Equality Bill to State Legislature

Both New York Governor David Paterson and openly gay state Sen. Tom Duane expect a vote on the state's marriage equality bill by the end of September.

The bill has faced major obstacles since being introduced earlier this year. After passing the state Assembly, the Senate experienced a power coup which played out past several emergency special sessions in an effort to organize the senators in order to get pressing state work accomplished. Unfortunately, the marriage equality bill was pushed aside.

Now with New York's budget woes forcing the Senate to convene another special session, the governor intends to yet again put the marriage equality bill back on the agenda.

In an interview with the Advocate, Paterson said, "I am anticipating a special session and I am anticipating this is one of the issues that we will address."

"Normally I wouldn't do it this way,” he said regarding adding the marriage equality bill to a special session agenda. “But I felt that the whole fight over the coup denied the people of New York resolution on a number of issues that were very controversial and had been discussed and advocated for. I think that we owe the public a proper disposition on those pieces of legislation, and one of those was marriage equality."

Sen. Duane told the Washington Blade that he doesn't expect the bill to be on the agenda when they first convene but that a vote will occur by the end of September.

Duane said he hopes supporters of same-sex marriage will be "popping up the advocacy" to encourage senators to vote for the bill, adding that he strongly believes it will pass if lawmakers are allowed to vote their conscience.

"I remain optimistic that it'll pass this year and it'll pass with bipartisan support," he said.

Good News! Chance Remains for a Vote on NY Marriage Equality Bill

The New York Times reports that a chance remains that Gov. David Paterson will reintroduce his marriage equality bill for a Senate vote in yet another special legislative session in September. This is good news compared to it dying completely, but due to the sophomoric antics of the state senate this passed month, there's no chance they'll be taking it up any sooner.

The Times reports, "Senate Democrats are unlikely to take up the marriage bill on their own. They remain deeply divided and, in many cases, estranged from one another, after the infighting and personal attacks of the nearly five-week leadership battle."

However, the ridiculous pentecostal pastor and senator Ruben Diaz is still a thorn in the side of the bill. The extremely homophobic democratic senator for some reason has a hold on numerous senators who fear pissing him off lest they vote on the bill, or even worse, vote in its favor.

"On same-sex marriage, several senators said privately that the caucus was reluctant to take it up because of the strident opposition of Senator Rubén Díaz Sr., a Bronx Democrat and Pentecostal minister. With the caucus holding a tenuous single-seat majority, there is a focus on keeping members happy," the Times says.

"'We just got unity,' Mr. Díaz said in an interview when asked about the marriage issue. 'Don’t start to un-unify us. Let us have some kind of honeymoon.'"

Can't these guys grow a backbone? Are they seriously going to let one senator compromise the rights of thousands of New Yorkers?

Blabbeando calls Sen. Diaz a "homophobic asshole" and a "racist" and refers to the Senator's statement in this report to back his statement.

Thankfully, Senators exist in the Senate that do stand up to Diaz, or at least ignore his tantrums, such as marriage equality bill sponsor Sen. Duane. Though he earlier sounded resigned to the fate of the bill, Marriage Equality New York has written a very informative piece that contains further explanation from Duane.

"In a telephone interview with Gay City News the same evening, Duane said he expected action not only on marriage equality, already approved by the Assembly and supported by Governor David Paterson, but also on the Gender Expression Non-Discrimination Act and the Dignity for All Students Act. The marriage bill, he said confidently, 'will get to the floor this year and it will pass.'”

And as for Diaz:

Duane cautioned against reading anything into who did and did not attend the victory lap at the Capitol. Asked whether the possibility that Diaz may have played a role in forging the new Democratic conference agreement caused him concern, Duane emphasized that he was looking to Governor Paterson’s leadership in making certain that marriage equality, transgender rights, and anti-bullying get votes this year. His most recent meeting with the governor on those matters, he said, may have been going on as Smith, Espada, Diaz, and nine other of his colleagues stood before the press.

“I have spoken to the governor several times in the past week, and he has re-emphasized his interest in moving marriage this year,” Duane told Gay City News. “We are going to strategize on how to move marriage this year, and we will get that done.”

This is good news indeed.

New York State Marriage Equality Bill Dies Because Idiotic Senate Fails To Pull It Together

UPDATE: Empire State Pride Agenda, who has done amazing work trying to get the marriage bill passed, issued a more positive statement than the resigned tone of Sen. Duane: "Now that the stalemate is over and the State Senate has resumed its business, we expect that our equality will remain at the top of the chamber’s agenda." I sure hope they're right and prove me wrong because if that's the case, I wouldn't be happier to eat my words.
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Yesterday, I expressed concerns about whether or not the dysfunctional New York State Senate would ever get around to voting on the marriage equality bill that had already passed the Assembly. With the governor ready to sign, the rights for the LGBT New Yorkers to marry seemed within reach.

Not anymore. With the asinine antics this passed month brought on by the June 8 coup, the self-centered Senate put their egos before the rights of their constituents.

The bill's main sponsor, Sen. Thomas Duane, issued this email:

“The month long stalemate in the Senate has ended. I am pleased that the Democratic Conference remains, as they were elected to be, in the majority. It is now time for the Senate to get back to work. The June 8th coup was a painful and disturbing moment in the history of the Senate. Members’ emotions are raw, feelings are hurt and trust is lost. It will take time for these wounds to heal. As a result, I expect that the Senate this week will pass only time-sensitive, non-controversial legislation.”

“As disappointing as it is to admit, it is clear that this week is not the right moment for same-sex marriage legislation. Senators need some time and distance to regroup after this month’s partisan-charged and explosive atmosphere. Before June 8th, Senators from both sides of the aisle committed to me that they would vote for marriage equality. I still believe this to be the case. However, as I have said many times this session, I will not gamble when civil rights are at stake. If this means a short delay in order for marriage to become law it is well worth the wait.”

“I will not be put off for long. I am 100% committed to passing legislation crucial to the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) community. Our safety and civil rights must be enshrined into law. During the weeks and months ahead the Senate will be called back to Albany to deal with a range of issues that are extremely important to me and that impact the lives of all New Yorkers. I will fight for and demand, with bipartisan support, that bills important to the LGBT community come to the floor for a vote – and pass. The June 8th coup may have delayed equality, but it will not stop it.”

And yes, we'll have to start all over. Again. Getting it passed through the Assembly. Again. As Joe.My.God eloquently puts it, "My first thought upon receipt of the [email] was for Assemblyman Daniel O'Donnell, who will once again have to stand at that podium in Albany and defend his own marriage equality bill."

Guess we're far from a priority because NG Blog writes, "...that very same senate held a late night session and passed a number of bills, including one that eliminated citizen requirements for horse doctors."

So all the work by the amazing sponsors and the LGBT New York population into getting this bill (and other important legislation) passed got us here - aka nowhere. Yet again another failure in the long line of failures of the Senate to get this bill passed.

Maybe next time around there will be a whole new Senate. Fresh minds. Renewed energy. Because this Senate and their historic idiocy will hopefully be voted out completely.

New York's Marriage Equality Bill Could Get Vote Next Week

According to Newsday, the recent New York senate coup could be an unexpected and rather ironic boon for the state's marriage equality bill.

What was at first seen as the death knell for the bill may turn out to be its salvation. The new disputed leaders of the senate, a bipartisan coalition, Republican Sen. Dean Skelos and Democrat Sen. Pedro Espada, Jr., say a vote on the bill could come as early as next week.

Sen. Espada, who supports marriage equality, stated he didn't know what the outcome would be, but Sen. Duane, sponsor of the bill, claimed last week that he had the 32 votes needed to pass the bill.

But all of this could be a moot point as former (or legal?) Senate Majority Leader, Malcolm Smith, is arguing that the new senate leadership has wrested control illegally. If he's proven correct, he would be back in power and more than likely keep the bill from being voted on since he claims it won't pass.

Only time will tell the fate of marriage equality in New York.

Image: Democrat Sen. Pedro Espada, Jr., and Republican Sen. Dean Skelos

NY Senator Announces He'll Vote Against Marriage Equality

R News reports that New York Republican Senator Andrew Lanza, who represents Staten Island, has shifted from undecided to no against the governor's proposed gay marriage legislation.

Capital Tonight, which has been conducting a senate poll, tallies 20 yes votes, 29 no votes, nine undecided, and four would not say. This is looking worse than on Tuesday, when NY1 released its poll.

Marriage equality bill sponsor Sen. Tom Duane held a press conference Monday announcing he had the 32 votes needed to pass the bill. So my question - who are they? Because right now it's not looking so good. Was this just a tactic? Because if so, he's not just messing with fellow senators heads, he's messing with the hearts and minds of thousands of LGBT individuals, families and friends.

Let's just hope that he's got an ace in his back pocket.

NY Senate Majority Leader: Not Enough Votes for Marriage Equality

Despite all the theatrics, New York State Senate Majority Leader Malcolm Smith, who supports marriage equality, is sticking to the one point he's been making since Gov. David Paterson introduced the state's marriage equality bill: he will not bring the bill to a vote unless he has the support to pass it, and he claims he does not.

Despite sponsor Sen. Tom Duane's declaration that he has the votes, Smith says otherwise and referred to NY1's senate poll that stated 28 senators were against, 10 undecided and 4 not stating.

During a news conference yesterday Smith pointed to the NY1 tally to back up his claims that the votes are not there. (See Video)

"I watch NY1," said Smith. "I trust those numbers."

"What about your own internal numbers?" responded NY1 Political reporter Josh Robin. "Senator Tom Duane, your colleague, says he has 32-plus."

"I have been steadfast in my position and I will repeat it again. I don't have 32 votes," answered Smith.

There's only nine days left before the Senate adjourns.

ACTION: Contact Sen. Malcolm Smith and urge him to let the senate do a conscientious vote, otherwise known a non-party line vote, a rare but not unprecedented occurrence in New York state.

Anti-Gay NY Sen. Diaz Tells Pro-Gay Sen. Duane to "Shut Up." Response - "LOL"

The other day, Sen. Tom Duane held a press conference stating that he had wrangled enough votes to pass New York's marriage equality bill, but a NY1 polling of the senators the next day proved otherwise.

Staunch opponent to anything gay, the ridiculous Sen. Ruben Diaz issued the following press release yesterday:

"If Senator Tom Duane has the necessary Senate votes to pass the homosexual marriage bill in New York State, then he should release the names of those Senators who are supporting the bill. If not, he should shut up.

"If any member of the State Senate is so ashamed to have their names released or to release their own names for this or for any pending legislation, then they clearly feel ashamed of their position."

"If any Senators are unwilling to release their names prior to voting for the homosexual marriage bill, they are sending a clear message to the gay community and to the whole State of New York that these Senators are unwilling to let the public know and that they are ashamed to be publicly associated with the gay community."

"Any Senator who commits himself or herself to something, should be man or woman enough to take a stand and stand by his or her convictions. If they give their word to support something that they are ashamed of, then that is a hypocrisy, and could be interpreted as not wanting to be associated with the matter."

"It is a disgrace that Senator Duane is playing this mind game with his colleagues and with the public. If Senator Duane has the votes, he should release the names. If not, then he should be ashamed of himself.”

Gee, sounds to me that Duane got Diaz all riled up. I mean wow, screw decorum (not that it was ever a concern for homophobe Diaz), but Duane stating that he had all the votes for a bill that Diaz is fanatically against really seemed to work.

Of course, you'd want to know how Duane responded to Diaz's tirade, right?

His official response came in through spokesman Eric Sumberg late yesterday: "LOL."

I think I like this Duane guy!

Recently, the New York Times issued an editorial pushing the senate to take marriage equality bill to a vote.

The people are impatient!