New York 6th state to legalize gay marriage
NEW YORK, N.Y. — Celebrating late into the night, thousands of gay marriage supporters poured into the streets after New York became the sixth and largest state in the U.S. to legalize gay marriage.
After days of contentious negotiations and last-minute reversals by two Republican state senators, the bill was passed, breathing life into the national gay rights movement that had stalled over a nearly-identical bill here two years ago.
Pending any court challenges, legal gay marriages can begin in New York by late July after Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed his bill into law just before midnight Friday.
What does it mean? "It means that all of my friends can finally do the thing that they wanted to do, that I can do," Alison Casillo told CBS Station WCBS. "It means that we're equal."
CBS News correspondent Seth Doane reports that New York is a state with no residency requirement for marriage - meaning couples can come from anywhere to get married here.
Of course that is a boon to businesses - something that was undoubtedly part of the equation for some lawmakers.
A religious exemption was also built into the bill to assuage some opponents. "Whoever opposes the rights of gays and lesbians to marry - whatever religious institution, whether it's the Catholic Church, Orthodox Jews, anyone else - they are not required to marry any couple they do not want to marry," Elizabeth Cooper of Fordham University Law School told CBS News.
Republican State Senator Stephen Saland was one of the last to support the same-sex marriage bill. A self-proclaimed traditionalist, he said he agonized over the decision: "I have defined doing the right thing as treating all persons with equality, and that equality includes the definition of marriage, and I fear that to do otherwise would fly in the face of my upbringing."
"It's the wrong thing to do," said Maggie Gallagher, Chairman and co-founder of the National Organization for Marriage. "But it's also incredibly politically stupid for the Republican Party to take responsibility for passing the gay marriage bill in New York."
Gay rights advocates hope New York's new law will build up momentum for the battle ahead: Doane notes that same-sex marriage is specifically banned in 39 states across the country.
Same-sex marriage becoming legal in N.Y.
Above: People in the Senate gallery react to the passage of gay marriage at the Capitol in Albany, N.Y., on Friday, June 24, 2011. (AP Photo/Mike Groll)
At New York City's Stonewall Inn, the Greenwich Village pub that spawned the gay rights movement on a June night in 1969, Scott Redstone watched New York sign the historic same-sex marriage law with his partner of 29 years, and popped the question.
"I said, 'Will you marry me?' And he said, 'Of course!'" Redstone said he and Steven Knittweis walked home to pop open a bottle of champagne.
New York becomes the sixth state where gay couples can wed, doubling the number of Americans living in a state with legal gay marriage.
"That's certainly going to have a ripple effect across the nation," said Ross Levi, executive director of the Empire State Pride Agenda. "It's truly a historic night for love, our families, and democracy won."
"We made a powerful statement," Cuomo said. "This state is at its finest when it is a beacon of social justice."
The leading opponent, Democratic Sen. Ruben Diaz, was given only a few minutes to state his case during the Senate debate.
"God, not Albany, settled the issue of marriage a long time ago," said Diaz, a Bronx minister. "I'm sorry you are trying to take away my right to speak," he said. "Why are you ashamed of what I have to say?"
The Catholic Bishops of New York said the law alters "radically and forever humanity's historic understanding of marriage."
"We always treat our homosexual brothers and sisters with respect, dignity and love," the bishops stated Friday, "We worry that both marriage and the family will be undermined by this tragic presumption of government in passing this legislation that attempts to redefine these cornerstones of civilization."
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My mother raised standard Schnauzers (dogs). To supplement income she bought a Champion to breed with others, create puppies and sell at a good price.Hans was his name. We loved him. Sadly, years she attempted to breed Hans with other female schnauzers and he would have nothing to do with them. We did notice that every male whether animal or human who entered out house, Hans mounted. We loved him non-the-less but Mother was disappointed considering her investment.
From my perspective Jesus's main teaching is that of unconditional love, to have faith, and to forgive. The very 'institutions' that are to teach the teachings of Jesus, condemn. The very place where all who are human are to go and learn love and acceptance of one another.
Such diversity amongst the people's the world! I love it all. As a child I never understood the racial issue (in Florida a young girl where there was segregation about everything). I 'saw' people as people.
Loved the fact there are so many differences.
We must reflect that not long ago Lena Horne, beautiful black singer finally 'broke the mold'as did Dorothy Danridge to enter Hollywood. Now, we have so many talented blacks in all phases of entertainment. Consider the exquisite art, music, clothing, architecture,etc.etc. our fellow homosexual human beings contribute. So many couples I have known as friends; talented, lovely homes, devoted to one another.
As to what 'God' said, it was what 'man said, for the Bible is written by men. I wish to remind some that it is common knowledge today that there resides in all humans, life, etc. both male and female energy.For reasons no one knows....a man may have a more developed female side, a woman a more male side.Why cross dressers? Because they just have passion to express their other side.
i recall a quote by a famous woman psychologist: "I don't care what people do in their bedrooms, or what they do anywhere, just so long as it's not done in the street to frighten the horses."
Human sexuality, regardless by whom with whom is sacred,beautiful, the ultimate expression of a mysterious/loving bond between two people. Done for sport, to abuse, hurt, denigrate, belittle, exploit, use another is horrid. The exposure of an individual's sex life in this society today is awful. Let our sex lives and those of others be private, sacred and left alone. That includes leaving sex out of the movies as it was when I grew up. A closed door, a drawn curtain and your imagination took over. Now THAT was exciting.
i am happy for the gays in NY State. We are all of the human family seeking some measure of love, happiness, and peace in this very strange, toxic world it has become. Maybe all cannot do as Christ admonished, "Love one another," at least try to mature and respect
the amazing differences and life styles of others. Take your own inventory. We all have much work to do on ourselves. I agree with one fellow: Give where we can, a sandwich to a homeless, a smile to a kid,
open a door for a senior, simply look out for one another. Our spirits long to help and touch a life.
Les Nations Unies ont adopt? la D?claration de la honte,
l'histoire n'oubliera pas l'?re de Ban Ki-moon,, parce qu'il a autoris? l'immoralit? et la d?bauche,
Pauvres g?n?rations futures,
..................
The United Nations adopted the Declaration of shame,
history will not forget the era of Ban Ki-moon, because he allowed the immorality and debauchery,
Poor future generations,
"au revoir"
While I do not advocate religious ceremonies for these marriages, I can see no legal reason not to permit civil ceremonies/unions.
This entitles same sex couples to every right that marriage between a man and a woman have.
I don't see what all the hoopla is about.
It's nobodys damn business who another person marries but theirs.
You can engage in a civil ceremony wearing a long white dress and a tux just as well as you can show up in Bermuda shorts and a tee shirt that says Drink a Brand name beer.
Stop sticking your noses in other peoples, States and Countries business and there will be far less hysteria worldwide.
Just plain BUTT OUT.!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=srfcx5B8ktI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=srfcx5B8ktI
Revolution 2012
Plenty of bigots went around spouting "We always treat our ["colored"] brothers and sisters with respect, dignity and love. We worry that both marriage and the family will be undermined by this tragic presumption of government [interracial marriage] in passing this legislation that attempts to redefine these cornerstones of civilization."
Denying equality is NEVER treating people with respect, dignity, or love.
Bigotry is bigotry, regardless of whether it is blacks, women, Japanese-Americans, Catholics, homosexuals or any other group of people you are discriminating against. (All groups the US has, at one time or another, denied equality.)
This country was NOT founded on bigotry, so bigots can attempt to oust legislators, and even supreme court justices as happened in Iowa last year), but -- ultimately -- it makes no difference.
True Americans, and true Christians, refuse to tolerate bigotry, so the bigots can do what they will ....for now. They're just going to have more egg on their faces in the future.