Spitzer's Statement On His Gay Civil Marriage Bill ("Inalienable Right To Pursuit Of Happiness")

[Hissyspit]

Mods, since it is a press release, I am reproducing it in its entirety.

http://www.ny.gov/governor/press/0427071.html

PROPOSED LEGISLATION WOULD CREATE CIVIL MARRIAGE EQUALITY

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Governor Eliot Spitzer and Lieutenant Governor David Paterson today submitted legislation to create civil marriage equality for all New Yorkers. This historic legislation would establish equal responsibilities, recognition, benefits and protections for all married couples. The bill would additionally stipulate that no clergy member or religious institution should be compelled to perform any same-sex marriage ceremony.

Under current law, partners unable to enter into a civil marriage -- and their children -- lack legal protections taken for granted by married couples. In such areas as property ownership, inheritance, health care, hospital visitation, taxation, insurance coverage, child custody and pension benefits, married couples receive important safeguards against the loss or injury of a spouse, and crucial insurance against legal intrusion into marital privacy.

“This legislation would create equal legal protection and responsibilities for all individuals who seek to marry or have their marriage protected in the State of New York,” said Governor Spitzer. “Strong, stable families are the cornerstones of our society. The responsibilities inherent in the institution of marriage benefit those individuals and society as a whole.”

“This bill guarantees that the inalienable right to the pursuit of happiness will be protected equally for all individuals in the State of New York,” said Lieutenant Governor David Paterson. “This is an important step in the fight for civil rights for all people.”

The legislation will include the following provisions:

A marriage that is otherwise valid under the law will be valid regardless of the sex of the individuals; Government treatment, legal status, and all rights, benefits, privileges, protections or responsibilities relating to marriage will be equal for all individual parties who enter into marriage regardless of the sex of their partner;

No application for a marriage license will be denied on the ground that the parties are of the same, or a different, sex, and;
In consideration of private, ethical and religious beliefs, no clergy member or religious institution will be compelled to perform any marriage.

[Zenlitened]

1. It's really starting to feel like the 21st century lately, isn't it?

:applause: :patriot: :applause:

[Bluebear]

2. k/r

[Beetwasher]

3. ("Inalienable Right To Pursuit Of Happiness")

Yup, what else needs to be said? That one sentence from THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENCE nails it. It's nobody's fucking business who anyone else marries. It'a a matter of the Pursuit of Happiness. End of fucking story.

[Name removed]

4. Deleted sub-thread

Sub-thread removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Hissyspit]

6. Oops, no.

It's from the Declaration of Independence; not in the Constitution:

"WE hold these truths to be self-evident, that all Men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness."

But, yeah, pretty important words.

[Beetwasher]

7. Yeah

That's what I meant actually. Fixed.

[Hissyspit]

8. No prob, common error.

The Constitution does "talk" about forming a more perfect union and straights have screwed up marriage and civil unions so well, its easy to argue that its Constitutional to let Gays have at it.

Seriously, though, the Constitution states that it was established to secure "the blessings of Liberty."

[HockeyMom]

5. I am really going to miss Gov. Spitzer and NY

but I am very happy that I had the chance to elect him.

Good luck and keep fighting.

[WePurrsevere]

9. WooHoo! Goodness but I really like this man. As AG I was impressed

but with him as Governor I have real hope for NY now. :)

The last statement, "no clergy member or religious institution will be compelled to perform any marriage" is what will hopefully get this thing passed since that seems to be the big roadblock. Even though it's actually already covered in the Constitution's freedom of religion this will make it clear and take away at least that rallying cry from churches who are not willing to marry gays. Now hopefully our legislature will pass it and get it on Spitzer's desk to be signed asap.:)

After he turns NY around I'm really he may consider running for President in the future. He's not that old (only in his late 40's) and has plenty of time yet. :)

[BlooInBloo]

10. Can't wait to welcome him as the country's Attorney General...

(Which is what I originally came to this thread to say, before the good times started rolling.)