| Well, well, well. This is interesting, though I'm not terribly surprised. The New York Times is reporting that three of the "nay" votes from the last time a marriage equality vote made it to the floor of the Senate have now flipped and become "yeas."
In Reversal, 3 Democratic Senators Will Back Gay Marriage
Three wavering Democratic lawmakers in the State Senate have agreed to support legislation legalizing same-sex marriage in New York, several people with knowledge of the negotiations said on Monday, marking a potential turning point for the long-debated measure.
The three senators - Joseph P. Addabbo Jr., Shirley L. Huntley of Queens and Carl Kruger of Brooklyn - all voted against the measure in 2009, when it failed by a wide margin. Their switch to the yes column leaves all but one Senate Democrat supporting same-sex marriage -and the fate of the legislation in the hands of the Republican majority in the chamber.
Republican senators voted unanimously against same-sex marriage two years ago, but several have indicated in recent weeks that they are undecided. Speaking with reporters on Monday, Dean G. Skelos, the Senate majority leader, said that if a same-sex marriage bill came to the floor, each Republican senator would be free to vote his or her conscience, but he added that he had not formally asked his members where they stood.
The announcement, just days from the end of the legislative session next Monday, signifies the first clear advance in months for advocates of same-sex marriage and a victory for John L. Sampson, the Democratic minority leader, who has spent weeks coaxing a consensus out of his oft-fractious conference.
This is certainly good news and I think if Skelos actually means what he says about a conscience vote, I believe that it may actually pass this time, perhaps even comfortably. That said, Skelos told the Dem leadership in 2009 before that last that he would free his conference to vote their consciences and he, well, he flat out lied and punk'd Sampson (and LGBT New Yorkers) something good. And let's not forget the three closet cases that voted against equality last time out....
I have a feeling it may be different this time though. I just don't think the issue is as much of a winner for the haters as it used to be and the number of Dem "nays" is down to only one, the gay hatin', single issue abomination that is the Rev Ruben Diaz. (By the way, what on earth does Diaz do after this is no longer an issue? Seriously, what will he do with himself then?)
So, my fingers are crossed. I think this is the best shot we've ever had to extend full citizenship rights to all New Yorkers. But, I'm still a realist. If you want this as much as I and millions of others do, hit the phones and let your state senator know how you feel. Now is the time to make your voice heard.
Our friend Senator Kirsten Gillibrand is even using a nifty click to call tool to make getting in touch with your senator all that much easier. Go ahead. Light 'em up.
The time is now. |
