During last year's campaign then candidate Eliot Spitzer repeatedly affirmed his support for full marriage rights, not civil unions, for same sex couples. I personally heard him more than once proclaim that when he became Governor full marriage rights for same sex couples would "be the law of the land in New York state." Today he is keeping his promise to introduce legislation to extend full marriage equality to same sex couples.
Spitzer Offers Gay Marriage Bill Today -- Friday, April 27
A senior official in Eliot Spitzer's administration has confirmed to Gay City News that the governor will introduce his program bill enacting marriage equality for same-sex couples on Friday, April 27.
"The governor is fulfilling his promise to the community and taking a courageous and historic step toward making equal civil marriage rights a reality in New York," the official said.
A lawyer from the office of the governor's counsel with deliver the bill and an accompanying memorandum, with a statement of support, to the offices of the Assembly speaker and the Senate majority leader. Also, on Friday, the state Department of Civil Service will order a policy change mandating that any entity participating in the state health plan - including hundreds of municipalities and local school districts - recognize out-of-state same-sex marriages for purposes of spousal and family benefits.
Even the Governor is doubtful that the legislation will pass this session and I regretfully agree. I just don't see Uncle Joe letting this through the Senate on his watch. But, I do think it is significant that this particular bill is finally making its way to Albany. If this passes, New York would become only the second state in the nation behind MA to enact full marriage equality for same sex couples and thefirst do so legislatively. New York could also once again consider itself at the vanguard of a progressive movement for the first time in far too long.
It ain't gonna be easy, but this is a fight I personally will be engaging in 100%. It's simply the right thing to do and, dammit, we're New York. We should be leading on this issue. I think it's time to dust off Blue Jersey's excellent and completely self produced Think Equal ads. Here's one of my faves:
This is an important day for civil rights in New York and I, for one, welcome the coming fight.
