This is how an equal rights leader acts

[ruggerson]

Not only did Governor Cuomo write the marriage equality bill and bring it down to the legislature, but he's been working non-stop, first corraling all the Senate Democrats except one, and then working tirelessly, having meeting after meeting with recalcitrant Republicans, lobbying them relentlessly for their vote.

If this is defeated this year, it won't be because of Andrew Cuomo. The man is a fighter for equality and is going to go down in the history books because of this.

http://saratogian.com/articles/2011/06/17/news/doc4dfc00f2a2310685637156.txt

"ALBANY — Gov. Andrew Cuomo held more one-on-one negotiations Friday with Senate Republicans who worry his bill to legalize gay marriage doesn’t do enough to protect religious groups and churches that refuse to preside over same-sex weddings and other services.

"A third lengthy, closed-door meeting by the GOP majority brought the bill, widely viewed as key to national momentum on the issue, no closer to a floor vote. The Democrat-led Assembly passed the measure Wednesday as expected, and a vote in the Senate had been anticipated this week.

"That action could now be days away, after Senate Republicans didn’t even discuss Friday whether to take that action.

"There has been no decision — in fact that really was not the discussion — as to whether it will come out yet, who’s voting for it, who’s voting against it," Majority Leader Dean Skelos said immediately after Friday’s two-hour conference.

"The Long Island Republican said senators for and against gay marriage want to make the sure that if the bill gets a floor vote there won’t be "unintended consequences to this legislation" — a reference to religious protections.

"Skelos didn’t go into more details but noted that some Catholic adoption agencies closed after a law was passed years ago prohibiting discrimination against gays and lesbians.

"Other Republicans have sought further protections of caterers and others who might object to providing services or a venue for a wedding of a same-sex couple.

"Activists on both sides of the gay-marriage debate are anxiously watching the outcome of the battle in New York, which may end up hinging on the votes of only a handful of Republican senators. New York would become the sixth and largest state where gay marriage is legal.

"Cuomo met throughout the day in his office with undecided Republicans and other influential members of the party, often one on one, sometimes in groups of two or three.

"Catholic Archbishop Timothy Dolan of New York said Friday that the bill proposed by Cuomo, a Catholic Democrat, would impinge on religious freedom and on the social services provided by religious groups. Continued..."

[iwishiwas]

1. Thanks. He is a good example for the WH to follow!

[QC]

2. But isn't Cuomo afraid that a Republican might say something mean about him? n/t

[LoveMyCali]

3. and yet despite his efforts

Little remains no-vote on gay marriage

While state Sen. Roy McDonald earlier this week changed his mind and decided to vote in favor of the state's proposed same-sex marriage law, Sen. Elizabeth Little says she'll remain a no-vote.

Little, R-Queensbury, said in a phone interview Friday that she continues to support equal rights for gay couples but said they can achieve equality under the law without marriage


http://poststar.com/news/local/article_42288af4-9927-11e0-9785-001cc4c002e0.html

[justiceischeap]

4. "...support equal rights for gay couples...achieve equality under the law without marriage"

Um, in what world does this equal equality? I know I'm horrible at math but something doesn't add up with that statement.

[ruggerson]

5. It's rationalizing

she can't look at herself in the mirror on this, so she attempts to explain her upcoming vote by coming up with a mind bending, tortured rationale.

[xchrom]

6. indeed. that's how you do it.

win, lose or draw -- we will remember that effort.