News sweep: marriage update

The fight for marriage equality is heating up across the country! New key players are taking a stand, and things look promising for supporters in a number of states.

Iowa Democrats may have lost the House, but they’ve maintained a firm hold on the Senate. Chairman Mike Gronstal previously pledged never to allow any proposals to repeal marriage equality to even make it to a vote, and today Senate Democrats defeated a Republican attempt to suspend the Senate rule that prevents such a vote on marriage from taking place without the approval of Majority Leader Gronstal.

The Religious Freedom and Civil Marriage Protection Act was introduced in the Maryland State Senate last week; a corresponding bill is expected to be taken up in the House. With the recently enlarged Democratic majority in both state houses, the chances of achieving marriage for same-sex couples in Maryland look very good.

Though New Hampshire Republicans might have the voting power to repeal the 2009 marriage equality law, House Majority Leader D.J. Bettencourt has asked that the repeal bill be held until 2012. Bettencourt wishes for the state to focus on budget issues this year.

Rhode Island Democrats have introduced marriage equality bills in both chambers, in hopes that their maintained majorities along with the support of the newly elected Governer Lincoln Chafee will finally allow the bill to come to a vote. Unfortunately, Republican Senate President Teresa Pavia Weed remains opposed to marriage equality.

A Quinnipiac University poll released today has shown that 57 percent of New Yorkers support allowing same-sex couples to marry.

Ask your senator to support the marriage equality and GENDA bills!

You can help kick off the new legislative session in Albany with marriage equality and GENDA bills that are stronger than ever by asking your state senator to support or co-sponsor both. Communication from constituents like you is essential to changing the hearts and minds of elected officials.

Before marriage equality and GENDA are re-introduced for the new 2011-2012 legislative session, state senators have the opportunity to show their support by becoming co-sponsors of the bills. This is a new opportunity for senators to step up and publicly endorse these bills now that the recent elections have shown how supporting our issues is a winning strategy.

Contact your senator right now. Email them through our action center or call them on the New York State Senate switchboard at 518-455-2800 with the reasons why they should support and even co-sponsor these bills:

"As your constituent, it's important to me that all New Yorkers are treated fairly. Will you support both the bill to allow same-sex couples to get married in this state and the Gender Expression Non-Discrimination Act?"

Your work to persuade your senator is vital to regaining the momentum towards the broad bipartisan support that will be necessary to actually pass GENDA and marriage equality into law.

Governor Cuomo has already shown a commitment to LGBT equality and justice by calling for marriage equality this year in his State of the State address, by promptly reissuing the executive order prohibiting discrimination against transgender people in state employment, and by appointing Alphonso David -- an African American gay attorney -- to the newly-created position of Deputy Secretary for Civil Rights. We need the New York State Senate to follow his lead. We need you to call your senator early in the legislative session to tell them why they should reconsider their position on legislation providing marriage for same-sex couples and basic transgender civil rights.

Next step: let us know what happened! If your senator's office responds, please contact our Director of Legislative and Political Affairs Brian Coffin at bcoffin AT prideagenda DOT org and tell us what they said.

What the Senate outcome means

Post by Ross D. Levi, Executive Director, Empire State Pride Agenda

It’s becoming clear that there is going to be a change in leadership in the New York State Senate to the Republican Party. Some have speculated that this means an end to progress we will be able to make on LGBT issues here in New York, but I couldn’t disagree more.

We know that as a result of this election we start two votes ahead on marriage equality from where we were before, and have additional support on other issues like the Gender Expression Non-Discrimination Act (GENDA) and adequate funding for LGBT health and human services. Even more significant is the way this progress was achieved: In a state where incumbents win 98% of the time, we unseated two decades-long anti-LGBT incumbents – one Democrat and one Republican. Senators new and old will now be asking themselves whether they want the strength of our community used against them in the same way two short years from now if they vote against equality for their LGBT constituents.

Also, let’s not forget that the Pride Agenda and the LGBT community have achieved great things with both parties. Two of our most significant legislative victories – the Sexual Orientation Non-Discrimination Act and hate crimes legislation – were passed with a Republican senate and a Republican governor. The environment for passing marriage and GENDA is even better than it was then.

We have a strong governor who was outspoken on our issues from day one of his campaign, and he will be joined by other statewide officials who were equally outspoken in favor of our issues. Contrast that to how things went for Carl Paladino. Legislators with ambitions for higher office have to realize that for the past two election cycles, no one has won any statewide office in New York without being expressly pro-LGBT. Maybe that’s because the public is on our side, with 58% of New Yorkers saying they favor marriage equality for same-sex couples and upwards of 70% believing New York should have a law prohibiting discrimination against transgender people.

Our community is coming out of this election cycle strong. We know we have a clear and credible opportunity for victory in 2011, but we also know we have a challenging session ahead of us. The economy and state budget are likely to loom large in Albany for the months to come, so we need to do the hard work of making sure our elected officials understand the importance of our issues, and ensuring that the next time our bills come up for a vote that they succeed.

• We need to highlight business leaders who will remind legislators that New York’s economy misses out on approximately $184 million that flows instead to neighboring states where marriage is permitted for same sex couples.
  
• We will raise up high profile faith leaders in support of marriage equality like Bishop Prince Singh of the Episcopal Diocese of Rochester, Bishop Robert Rimbo of the Metropolitan New York Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and Rev. Dr. Serene Jones, President of Union Theological Seminary, and add to their numbers.
  
• We will encourage our friends in law enforcement, the women’s movement and the business community to counteract the myths around basic civil rights protections for transgender people and remind elected officials that our state is falling behind the private sector in banning discrimination based on gender identity and expression.
  
• We will continue to remind our government officials of the state’s critical role in meeting the health and human service needs of New York’s LGBT community through policies, programs and resources.
  
• We will mobilize and add to our 2.5 million New York brothers and sisters in unions that support marriage equality and GENDA.
  
• We will make sure our representatives in Albany hear in person from their constituents by the hundreds, both at home in their districts and in Albany at our Equality & Justice Day in early May.

Won’t you be part of the important work we have to do in 2011? Victory is ours for the taking, but it will not be possible without you.

Bereavement leave for same-sex couples signed by governor

A-2563a/S6177a prevents employers who extend funeral or bereavement leave to an employee for the death of a spouse, child, parent or other relative from denying the same leave for the death of an employee's same-sex committed partner. The new law defines same-sex committed partners as those who are financially and emotionally interdependent in a manner commonly presumed of spouses.

Pride Agenda has championed this critical legislation from the beginning to fill at least some of the gaps caused by the denial of marriage equality to New York’s committed same-sex couples. Big thanks to Assemblymember Deborah Glick and Senator Velmanette Montgomery for serving our community as lead sponsors of such an important bill!

Though New York State government recognizes the marriages of same-sex couples performed elsewhere, this new legislation makes it absolutely clear that our families will be treated fairly during the most trying of times. Every kind of family knows the pain of loss, and employers shouldn't single out certain employees to treat differently.

New no-fault divorce law applicable to same-sex couples

With Governor Paterson’s signature on August 14, New York became the last state to allow no fault divorce. Blogger and legal expert Arthur Leonard points out that this law will also apply to legally married same-sex couples who reside in New York, in line with the state’s policy of recognizing marriages performed out of state. In a memo accompanying the bill, the authors make it explicitly clear that the law is to apply to all couples equally.

Everyone deserves equality before the law, and that includes the responsibilities that come with marriage, in good times and in bad.

Pride Agenda hails historic decision striking down Prop. 8

We are emboldened by the recent victory on marriage equality in California and in the federal justice system. Proposition 8 was a cruel and unconstitutional attack on LGBT families, and we are very pleased that the court has understood the need for all loving, committed couples to have the protections they need to care for each other and their children.

But we know that this struggle is far closer to home. Our movement is not only about lawyers in a far away courtroom; it's about everyday New Yorkers who support the freedom to marry and are willing to fight until we achieve it. The victory in California provides continued momentum here in New York that will allow the Pride Agenda and our community to continue pushing equality and justice on all fronts and with every tool at our disposal. That includes an intense focus on the upcoming 2010 New York elections that will determine for the next few years how quickly we can accomplish progress in the New York State government on issues like marriage equality and basic nondiscrimination protections for transgender people. The LGBT community and our allies will be making our voices heard loudly through this election season.

The freedom to marry in New York State starts with you. Please, make a donation to our PAC or sign up to volunteer on these crucial, upcoming races.

Court Strikes Down Part of DOMA, Adding to NY Marriage Momentum

By Sheilah Sable, Upstate Director of Pride In Action

Yesterday, Judge Joseph L. Tauro of the United States District Court in Boston ruled that the section of the so-called Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) that bars the federal government from recognizing same-sex marriages is unconstitutional, and that legally married gay and lesbian couples deserve the same federal benefits as heterosexual couples.

While appeals and litigation will continue, this ruling is a boost to marriage equality organizing nationwide, and specifically here in New York State. Full protections for our families are coming. It is not a matter of if, but when. And what we do now will determine how fast that equality will come. From Rochester to Ronkonkoma, our volunteers are getting the job done:

“I signed up new supporters of marriage equality in Rochester at the ‘Laramie Project’ show last month. The more supporters we find, the more power we will have to move (or remove) Senators,” said Shermeeka Mason, a SUNY Brockport student.

“I am out at 6 am signing up straight allies for marriage equality in Ronkonkoma at the Long Island Rail Road station. It’s hard work, but so worthwhile,” said Terri Scofield from Medford, New York.

You can join these volunteers and help bring change to New York State! Volunteer in your local area to grow the movement for marriage.

This ruling is just one more case of laws being reconsidered as more and more people recognize that LGBT families need and deserve the same support that all other families receive. Together, we can make New York the next state to join Massachusetts in winning both state and federal rights and benefits for our families.

National League of Women Voters comes out in support of marriage

A message from Sheilah Sable, Pride Agenda Upstate Director of Pride in Action:

The National League of Women Voters’ national convention has just passed a resolution in support of marriage equality.

The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan political organization that has fought since 1920 to improve systems of government and impact public policies through citizen education and advocacy. It is a grassroots organization, working at the national, state and local levels.

The newly passed resolution reads: “The League of Women Voters of the United States supports equal rights for all under state and federal law. LWVUS supports legislation to equalize the legal rights, obligations, and benefits available to same-gender couples with those available to heterosexual couples. LWVUS supports legislation to permit same-gender couples to marry under civil law. The League believes that the civil status of marriage is already clearly distinguished from the religious institution of marriage and that religious rights will be preserved."

The motion was brought to the floor of the National Convention by the League of Women Voters Chapter of Saratoga, New York. In October of 2009, the LOWV Saratoga New York Chapter contacted now-Executive Director, Ross Levi, (then Director of Public Policy and Education), about presenting to the Chapter on issues related to LGBT equality and justice, and specifically marriage equality. As a result of that contact, I visited with the Saratoga Chapter last fall to do a presentation to 50 members on marriage equality for New York State. I was accompanied by Kathy Manley of the Albany NYCLU Chapter who talked about marriage recognition in New York State. Kathy and I went on to highlight some of the most crucial and compelling reasons why this law is so important for so many LGBT New Yorkers and their families.

The individuals in the room were genuinely moved to action. One member commented that they had originally wanted a debate about the related issues, but that they were unable to find anyone to argue against marriage equality that did not come from a conservative Christian perspective. That was not an option for the group. We walked away with invitations to return at a later date to discuss GENDA, as well as numerous supporters who have since volunteered with phone banking and other activities related to the campaign for LGBT equality and justice.

Now, this nurtured relationship has had a national impact. It seems a great example of how hard it is to predetermine what the impact will be of something as simple as a conversation among neighbors, and has reminded me of the importance of community education. I hope it inspires others about the ripple-effect of simply telling the stories of our lives and inviting others to join us in the struggle for equality and justice.

For information on how to bring a Pride Agenda speaker to your event or organization, click here.

No Contest: Gillibrand is exponentially better than Ford, Jr. for LGBT New Yorkers

A note from Alan van Capelle, Pride Agenda Executive Director:

Today’s news that Harold Ford Jr, a former Tennessee Congressman and former candidate for the US Senate representing Tennessee, may seek to challenge Senator Gillibrand here in New York should be particularly disturbing to LGBT New Yorkers.

Ford supports a constitutional amendment to ban same-sex marriage. In fact, he voted for the Federal Marriage Amendment both times it reached the House floor. He has also gone out of his way to condemn court rulings (New Jersey’s, for example) that called for equal treatment under the law for same-sex couples. During his last year in the House, Ford received a 25 (out of 100) rating on HRC’s Congressional Scorecard.

Ford’s anti-LGBT positions run in marked contrast with Senator Gillibrand’s unyielding support for our community. In the year that she has been in the US Senate, Senator Gillibrand has been an outspoken and passionate supporter of every single piece of pro-LGBT legislation that currently exists at the federal level. She has often led the charge in the Senate for calling for the repeal of “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell.” She became the first US Senator from New York to support marriage equality, and she actively lobbied members of the New York State Senate to support the marriage equality bill before it received a vote on Dec. 2, 2009.

For our community—and any New Yorker who cares about equality for LGBT people—there is no contest here. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand deserves our full support if she is going to be challenged by someone who has a dismal voting record on our rights—someone like Harold Ford, Jr. of Tennessee.

Marching On

On December 2, 2009 the New York State Senate rejected a bill that would have allowed same-sex couples to marry. New Yorkers responded to the vote with sadness and anger, but mostly with renewed determination to win. Join the Pride Agenda as we continue fighting for equal rights for all LGBT New Yorkers and our families.

Pride Agenda statement and Senate marriage vote tally

Click here to read Pride Agenda Executive Director Alan Van Capelle's statement on today's marriage vote loss in the Senate.

Below, in alphabetical order, is the record of how Senators voted on the marriage bill. To find out who your Senator is, click here.

• Eric Adams (D) — YES
• Joseph Addabbo (D) — NO
• James Alesi (R) — NO
• Darrel Aubertine (D) — NO
• John Bonacic (R) — NO
• Neil Breslin (D) — YES
• John DeFrancisco (R) — NO
• Ruben Diaz (D) — NO
• Martin Malave Dilan (D) — YES
• Tom Duane (D) — YES
• Pedro Espada (D) — YES
• Hugh Farley (R) — NO
• John Flanagan (R) — NO
• Brian Foley (D) — YES
• Charles Fuschillo, Jr. (R) — NO
• Martin Golden (R) — NO
• Joseph Griffo (R) — NO
• Kemp Hannon (R) — NO
• Ruth Hassell-Thompson (D) — YES
• Shirley Huntley (D) — NO
• Craig Johnson (D) — YES
• Owen Johnson (R) — NO
• Jeffrey Klein (D) — YES
• Liz Krueger (D) — YES
• Carl Kruger (D) — NO
• Andrew Lanza (R) — NO
• Bill Larkin (R) — NO
• Kenneth LaValle (R) — NO
• Vincent Leibell (R) — NO
• Tom Libous (R) — NO
• Elizabeth Little (R) — NO
• Carl Marcellino (R) — NO
• George Maziarz (R) — NO
• Roy McDonald (R) — NO
• Hiram Monserrate (D) — NO
• Velmanette Montgomery (D) — YES
• Thomas Morahan (R) — NO
• Michael Nozzolio (R) — NO
• George Onorato (D) — NO
• Suzi Oppenheimer (D) — YES
• Frank Padavan (R) — NO
• Kevin Parker (D) — YES
• Bill Perkins (D) — YES
• Michael Ranzenhofer (R) — NO
• Joseph Robach (R) — NO
• Stephen Saland (R) — NO
• John Sampson (D) — YES
• Diane Savino (D) — YES
• Eric Schneiderman (D) — YES
• Jose Serrano (D) — YES
• James Seward (R) — NO
• Dean Skelos (R) — NO
• Malcolm Smith (D) — YES
• Daniel Squadron (D) — YES
• William Stachowski (D) — NO
• Toby Ann Stavisky (D) — YES
• Andrea Stewart-Cousins (D) — YES
• Antoine Thompson (D) — YES
• David Valesky (D) — YES
• Dale Volker (R) — NO
• George Winner (R) — NO
• Catherine Young (R) — NO
  

TOTAL: 24 YES, 38 NO

Buffalo News calls on Senate to pass the marriage bill

Yesterday, The Buffalo News called on the State Senate to pass the marriage bill. The powerful editorial is below.

Approve gay marriage

What the New York Legislature giveth, it is loathe to take away. Even when the state is in a $3.2 billion budget hole, and the tax-the-rich well has gone dry, lawmakers apparently cannot bring themselves to cut back on any of the annual entitlements they give to everything from public employees unions to local pork projects.

But there is a gift that members of the New York Senate could bestow upon many of their fellow citizens, one that has the rare political benefit of not costing their taxpayers, their interest groups — even their long-suffering constituents — a single thing.

The Senate should approve the bill to legalize same-sex marriage in New York. The Assembly already has passed it. Gov. David A. Paterson is primed to sign it. Justice demands it. And no single person in the state of New York will, despite what many fervently believe, be any the worse for it.

When the state performs any function of civil authority, it must do so in a way that plays no favorites. Clearly, for the state to officially recognize an opposite-sex marriage between two consenting adults while refusing that same recognition to two same-sex partners is an act of discrimination that serves no legitimate state purpose.

The government's proper role in marriage is to register and, if necessary, enforce the contract entered into by two self-aware adults. If the couple lives happily ever after, the state's role is limited to that of dutiful file clerk. If not, the state may be required to step in to settle disputes involving property, support and custody of minor children.

The role of the state in settling such problems, though far from perfect in practice, does help non-working spouses or dependent children survive a dissolution, financially if not emotionally. Sexuality has no bearing on that function.

Opponents of same-sex marriage make much of the fact that, when the question was put to voters in liberal California and libertarian Maine, both states rejected it. But those votes, driven in no small part by scare tactics, are not good examples for an elected Legislature to follow.

In California, opponents falsely argued that churches would be forced to give their support to same-sex marriage if the state did. In Maine, the largely out-of-state campaign focused on the shibboleth, futilely refuted by the state's attorney general, that schools would be forced to "teach" same-sex marriage if such a thing existed in the Pine Tree State.

A state law recognizing gay marriage would govern only the actions of the state. No church would be required to sanctify a union it objected to. No school would be forced to sing its praises by that law.

Same-sex marriage is now legal in several nations, including Canada and the United Kingdom, and in five U.S. states, from New England to Iowa. Harm to opposite-sex couples, their children and their households, there or anywhere: Non-existent.

A gift that costs the giver nothing. Sounds tailor-made for New York politics.

Scenes from the 2009 Fall Dinner

Last Thursday was our 18th annual Fall Dinner, the Pride Agenda’s biggest fundraising event of the year. With more than 1200 supporters in attendance, we had a great mix of donors, activists, elected officials and celebrities.

The night kicked off with our hilarious emcee, Margaret Cho, who kept us laughing with her colorful sense of humor!

We then heard from Pride Agenda Executive Director Alan Van Capelle, who reminded us that in regards to the marriage bill:

“…the time for making cases is past. The time for petty partisan finger pointing is past. The time for lame excuses, for botched maneuvers and simple, plain old foot dragging is past. The time to get this bill to the floor of the New York state Senate is now. The time for the state Senate to acknowledge our existence is now the time for us to hear our lives - our lives! - debated on the floor of the New York state Senate is now."

We had a great musical performance from actor, singer and activist Alan Cumming, with Lance Horne leading the band.

Our keynote speaker was U.S. Senator Charles Schumer, who spoke about his experiences fighting for equal rights for LGBT people on the federal level. He praised the Senate for passing the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act earlier that day, and pledged to continue to work on reform for our community, including repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” Part one of his speech is below:

(Click here for Part 2).

We also welcomed special speaker Governor Paterson, who pledged to put the marriage bill on the Senate’s agenda as soon as it comes back for its extraordinary session.

Part one of his speech is below:

(Click here for Part 2).

Finally, we honored the Hathaway family – actress Anne, her parents Gerald & Kate, and brothers Thomas and Michael, as well as Michael’s husband Joshua Lawson.

As the recipients of our 2009 Douglas W. Jones Leadership Award, the Hathaways are an inspiring example of the important role that families play in our movement.

Thanks again to everyone who helped make the Fall Dinner a success!

(Photos courtesy of Doug Meszler and Steve DiMaio).

No More Waiting - Pride Agenda launches our first-ever click-to-call campaign

This week the Pride Agenda launched our first-ever click-to-call campaign to connect LGBT New Yorkers and their allies directly to their Senators' offices with just a few clicks of the mouse. The time is now to reach out to Senators and let them know that our community won't stand for inaction on the marriage bill any longer--we demand a vote on the vital protections of marriage that our families need and deserve. Click the graphic below and you'll be prompted to enter your information so you can be matched with your Senate district. The service will then call the phone number that you enter and patch you directly through to your Senator's office so that you can tell them you expect them to vote on marriage equality. It's that simple!

Your phone call will only take a few minutes of your time, and calling your Senator is one of the most important things you can do to help win marriage equality before the end of this year. Even if you have called your Senator before, please take the time to do it again now. Keep up the pressure and let Senators know that New Yorkers won't wait any longer for equality!

Pride in My Workplace and Dewey & LeBoeuf Host “Marriage Equality: What Employers, Employees and Insurers Need to Know”

Last Thursday evening, Pride in My Workplace and Dewey & LeBoeuf hosted a panel on marriage equality that drew 80 participants from dozens of law firms; financial, consulting and insurance companies; and media, pharmaceutical and energy firms. The Pride Agenda’s Ross Levi and Lambda Legal’s Thomas Ude gave an overview of marriage law and marriage recognition in New York and across the country. Pride Agenda Board Member and Pride in My Workplace Co-Chair Marla Hassner outlined the differences between marriage, civil unions and domestic partnership laws and their impact on employee relations.

First Deputy Superintendant Kermitt Brooks, from the NY Department of Insurance, outlined the effect of New York State’s marriage recognition policy on different sectors of the insurance industry. Dewey & LeBoeuf’s partner Mitchel Pahl articulated how federal ERISA (Employee Retirement Income Security Act) protections of employees and their families are turned into the opposite by the Defense of Marriage Act, which prohibits federal recognition of same-sex marriages. He also outlined the disparate federal tax burden faced by same-sex couples whose employers provide same-sex spouse or domestic partner health benefits. This disparity is due to the lack of federal government recognition for any of the legal categories that currently apply to these families.

For more information on the activities of Pride in My Workplace, contact the program's coordinator, Wazina Zondon at (212) 627-0305 or wzondon@prideagenda.org

Pride Agenda Board Member & Pride In My Workplace Co-Chair Marla Hassner and Pride Agenda's Director of Public Policy & Education Ross Levi

First Deputy Superintendant Kermitt Brooks from the NY Department of Insurance and Dewey & LeBoeuf partner Mitchel Pahl

Powerful editorial for marriage in Albany Times Union

Today the Times Union in Albany called on the State Senate to stop delaying and vote on marriage immediately. The powerful editorial is below.

Time to take the plunge

It is time for Democrats to show that they were deserving of the trust placed in them last year when voters gave them control of the chamber. They must recognize that with power comes not only privilege, but the responsibility to use it. That means, among many other things, acting on one of their party's clearest planks and following through on an implicit promise to pass a gay marriage bill. Or, at the very least, to bring it to the floor for a vote.

Instead, what we see is "inactivity," the word that repeatedly came up last week as the state's top judges heard two cases over whether state and local governments could recognize same-sex marriages performed in other states.

That inaction has left it to politicians, government agencies, gay marriage opponents and gay and lesbian couples to fight this battle on the fringes. In the two cases before the court, the judges are deciding whether Westchester County and the state Department of Civil Service rightly or wrongly recognized same-sex marriages from neighboring states and Canada in providing couples with health benefits.

On one side is the Alliance Defense Fund, a self-proclaimed defender of religious liberty and what this group from Arizona declares to be the interests of New York taxpayers.

On the other is what New Yorkers are really about: equality and tolerance, and the real meaning of religious liberty. Last we read, it was the right to live in a nation where "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof." Implicit in that is not having religious views concerning marriage imposed on citizens by those like the Alliance Defense Fund.

As for the interests of New York taxpayers, the lawmakers who were elected to represent their interests could save some small measure of public funds by not leaving it to other governments and the courts to be their proxy on this issue.

The Democrat-led Assembly earlier this year passed a bill to legalize same-sex marriage. Democratic Gov. David Paterson is ready to sign it. Only Senate Democrats, insistent on trying to first finesse this behind the scenes rather that put this bill on the floor and make every lawmaker stand up and be counted, are holding it up.

Enough. Senate Democrats should put this bill on the agenda when the Legislature next returns to Albany and let it win or lose in a fair, open fight.

It is time to bring clarity to this issue and stop leaving it to the courts to have to express the will of New Yorkers every time some right-wing group tries to challenge this state's progressive traditions.

New poll reaffirms that a majority of New Yorkers support marriage

The new Quinnipiac University poll conducted last week found that 51% of New Yorkers support passing legislation to extend marriage to same-sex couples, while only 41% oppose it. This marks the first time that the Quinnipiac poll has found majority support for the measure—the most recent survey on the same question in May showed an even 46%-46% split. This poll now joins others—such as the latest Siena College poll—showing that the majority of New Yorkers support marriage equality.

“Supporters have worked hard in the last six weeks, moving the needle from dead even to slightly ahead. Who knows how far they can move that needle in the next six weeks if the State Legislature doesn't act,” said Maurice Carroll, director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute. You can read more about the latest poll here.

Clergy continue to call for marriage equality

The Rev. Vivian Ruth Waltz, a founding member of the Western New York Reconciling Ministries Network and a member of the Pride Agenda's Pride in My Pulpit program, wrote this moving opinion column in The Buffalo News:

Movement recognizes gays as part of God’s plan

Marriage equality for same-sex couples is a hot-button issue nationwide, but here in New York it is particularly timely to consider. Recently, the State Assembly passed the marriage equality bill by an overwhelming margin for the second year in a row. The parallel legislation in the State Senate has been held up by the leadership dispute between Democrats and Republicans.

The bill provides same-sex couples the same opportunity to enter into civil marriages as opposite-sex couples. The bill also provides that no member of the clergy may be compelled to perform any marriage ceremony.

In contrast to the principles of our nation’s founders, same-sex marriage is one issue where the separation of church and state often becomes indistinguishable. Sen. William Stachowski, D-Buffalo, cited “religious factors” in his district as his chief reason for opposing the bill.

When it comes to same-sex relationships, it seems that “religious factors” is synonymous with the impulse to oppose marriage equality. The so-called religious right appears to be winning the argument, if only by out-shouting other faith-based convictions.

But there is a quiet groundswell of gentle people of good faith who believe that justice will be served only when our laws reflect the truth that all God’s children are of sacred worth. They know at heart that homosexuality is part of the diversity of God’s glorious creation, not a choice to revel in a sinful and decadent lifestyle.

For close to 40 years, the Welcoming Church Movement has gathered together denominational networks of Christian communities that are supportive of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people. Often in opposition to the official policies of their religious bodies, these defenders of ecclesiastical rights envision a future of full inclusion for all of God’s beloved people, both within the Church and society.

Welcoming Christians recognize that Jesus’ own community prohibited him from reaching out in love and protecting those society had deemed unworthy of equality—the “least of these” whom he encountered. But the religious hierarchy of his day could not prevent him from doing what was right in the sight of God, and as a witness to the truth before even the most outraged people around him.

Alive and growing, the Welcoming Church Movement encompasses many churches, clergy, religious and laity here in Western New York. These are the places where the spirit of love is moving in our midst, a spirit that does not distinguish between different sexual orientations.

Here are the prophets who are filled with joyful expectancy of the time when all people will be embraced in life and ministry in Christ’s name. They are just waiting for their churches to catch up.

New York clergy column on Huffington Post

The Rev. Dr. Serene Jones of the Union Theological Seminary and the Rev. Dr. Brad R. Braxton of the Riverside Church in NYC wrote the eloquent guest column below in support of marriage equality for The Huffington Post.

Marriage Equaltiy Is a Theological Necessity
By Serene Jones and Brad R. Braxton

New York - As people of faith and leaders of religious institutions in New York City, we support ending the exclusion of our gay brothers and sisters from civil marriage. Opponents of marriage equality too often attempt to use arguments about religion to denounce equal civil marriage laws. As Christians, we believe it is crucial for us to support the freedom to marry for loving and committed gay couples. In fact, we believe it is a theological necessity, and we call on our state legislators to take action to end inequality now.

Our support for marriage equality is motivated by our religious commitments, not in spite of them. Our Christian faith teaches us the uncompromising, unconditional love of God for all people. Bound together by that love we are all deserving of dignity, equality, and justice. But, because of our belief in the universal capacity to sin, we are suspicious of merely private efforts to enshrine equality, recognizing that all people and all groups are susceptible to prejudice, error, and mistreatment of and by others. Children of the Protestant Reformations, we believe that the state exists to uphold absolute and unequivocal equality under the law for all persons. As religious communities continue to wrestle with interpretation of sacred texts about the meaning and ordinance of marriage, our gay brothers and sisters deserve the same dignity, respect, and protections under the law as different sex couples receive in our state and our country.

Marriage equality and religious freedom are not in conflict. When states grant the civil rights of marriage to gay couples, religious communities still maintain their right to recognize whichever relationships they see fit as a religious community. We believe that debates about the meaning of Christian marriage can only take place honestly when the state provides equality and fairness for all. This is all the more true because there is no one Christian position about marriage: many different interpretations exist within our traditions, and it is a challenging task within Christian communities to discern our way forward despite theological differences. While we welcome theological discussion about the religious understanding of marriage, we insist on full, equal civil rights for all couples who wish to share their lives in committed and loving relationships with one another.

Imagine, on any given day, couples from myriad faith traditions entering churches, synagogues, mosques, temples, even beaches and backyards to wed with the blessing and rituals of their religious communities -- but the legal contracts that bind them by the power of the state all look the same. In a land of true equality, civil marriage contracts must be open to all loving couples who seek to undertake the promises and responsibilities of life-long partnership.

The dedication to upholding religious freedom through civil equality was reaffirmed in the Iowa Supreme Court's decision which ended marriage discrimination against gay couples in Iowa. The ruling stated, "[W]e give respect to the views of all Iowans on the issue of same-sex marriage -- religious or otherwise -- by giving respect to our constitutional principles....The sanctity of all religious marriages celebrated in the future will have the same meaning as those celebrated in the past. The only difference is civil marriage will now take on a new meaning that reflects a more complete understanding of equal protection of the law. This result is what our constitution requires."

We've also learned from nearly five years of marriage equality in Massachusetts that religious freedoms are not endangered because civil equality has been upheld. In Massachusetts the institution of marriage is being strengthened by loving and committed gay couples receiving marriage licenses from the state. At the time of this writing, Iowa, Connecticut, Vermont, and Maine have joined Massachusetts in ending marriage discrimination against gay couples. It is time for New York to take action and support marriage equality.

As ministers and people of faith, we call on the legislative leaders of New York to decisively end marriage discrimination in our state. We call too on our fellow Christians to engage in robust theological discussion within our communities about the meaning, value, and role of Christian marriage without resorting to tactics of fear-mongering and civil disputes.

We stand with our legislators as people of faith in support of fairness for all families. Attacks will come, cloaked in the language of religion, from those who oppose equality. But speaking as committed Christian leaders in New York, we support the promise of civil freedom and equality. We cannot abandon civil rights protected by the state without endangering the very ground for religious freedom. Ending the exclusion of gay couples from marriage will strengthen families and provide loving, committed couples with the full equality under the law that our faith teaches us is requisite for any just society. As people of faith we call for full marriage equality and give thanks to God for the civil government that will allow it.

Pride Agenda calls for Senate vote on marriage, GENDA and Dignity

In response to developing events in the New York State Senate, the Pride Agenda has released the statement below. Also of note is this entry from the the New York Times' City Room blog, which quotes Senator Pedro Espada Jr., a co-sponsor of the marriage bill, as saying that he personally wants to bring same-sex marriage to a "vote of conscience of the senators." Stay tuned for more updates from the Pride Agenda as this situation unfolds:

Pride Agenda calls for Senate vote on marriage equality, GENDA and Dignity
Statement by Empire State Pride Agenda Executive Director Alan Van Capelle

“The Empire State Pride Agenda and our allies have fought hard to make sure that same-sex couples in New York are given access to marriage and the 1,324 rights and responsibilities that come with a state marriage license. We have also fought hard to end legal discrimination against transgender New Yorkers and bias-based harassment in schools.

The marriage equality bill recently passed by an overwhelming margin in the State Assembly and was gaining momentum in the State Senate as the end of the session approached. The same is true for the Gender Expression Non-Discrimination Act and the Dignity for All Students Act.

Our issues are not partisan issues. They are about equal rights for hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers who are treated like second class citizens. Our hope and expectation is that yesterday’s events will not derail efforts by our community to win the equality we so desperately need.

It is time to bring marriage equality and these other LGBT issues to the Senate floor for votes and have members vote their conscience. We urge the Senate to schedule these votes as soon as possible before the end of the legislative session.”