NY STATE LAWMAKERS ON EDGE; URGE SENATE COLLEAGUES TO PASS MARRIAGE BILL

"IT'S TIME TO MAKE HISTORY"
Assemblymember Harry Bronson (D-131) addresses
1,100 New Yorkers at the Empire State Plaza Convention Center
at the Equality & Justice Day on May 9, 2011.
photo:  Ove Overmyer

 Albany, N.Y.--  For five openly gay state lawmakers, the wait for Senate action on same-sex marriage bill is truly agonizing-- and it got worse Thursday when the chamber failed yet again to take it up last night.

Senator Thomas Duane (D-Manhattan) and Assembly members Matt Titone, Daniel O'Donnell, Deborah Glick and Harry Bronson have been getting some added attention of late-- and are sharing their personal stories as the drama unfolds in our state capital. Titone called the climate in Albany, "real difficult."

Civil rights advocates gained momentum last week when the Assembly approved gay marriage again and five senators jumped aboard, including two Republicans.  After the Assembly vote, Bronson took the opportunity to convey a message to his constituients.

He said, “Marriage equality is an issue that affects me personally, and being able to join my Assembly colleagues in the passage of this important legislation cannot sufficiently be described in words. Today is emotional as I join in advancing civil, human rights for my community. The Assembly has taken the lead on this issue before and I am proud that this year I was able to assist in the passage of this equal-rights legislation."

But since then, it has languished as Gov. Cuomo and legislative leaders continue to struggle to close out other end-of-the-legislative-session issues, like expanding rent regulations and easing mandates on localities.

Sen. Tom Duane
photo:  Ove Overmyer

Currently, 31 senators publicly support the bill-- one shy of the 32 needed for passage.

The Senate did not meet as expected last night about whether to allow a vote on same-sex nuptials before breaking for summer recess. Instead, they'll return today and try again to close down the session.  As of 1:35 pm, the Senate has not returned to session.  It's become a big waiting game.

Assembly bill sponsor O'Donnell (D-Manhattan) said the ongoing negotiations are "mostly draining, keeping an eye on the moving parts, but I remain confident the votes are there in the Senate to pass it." Senate sponsor Tom Duane confessed he'd "like to pass marriage equality; it's a passion of mine."

Added Glick (D-Manhattan), "Everything I have fought for has been about younger generations not going through the same level of isolation or hostility."