Religious Protections At Center Of N.Y. Senate Gay Marriage Debate

If Passed, Empire State Would Become Largest State To Have Legislation

June 20, 2011 11:00 PM

Protesters for and against the same-sex marriage bill protest in the halls at the Capitol in Albany, N.Y., Monday, June 20, 2011. (credit: Hans Pennink/AP)

Reporting Marcia Kramer

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Local, News, NY News, Politics, Seen On CBS 2HD, Watch + Listen

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork/AP) – There was marriage drama in Albany on Monday.

A high-powered meeting between Gov. Andrew Cuomo and top lawmakers, ended with same-sex marriage in New York still stuck at the altar, reports CBS 2’s Marcia Kramer.

Demonstrators by the hundreds — both those in favor of same-sex marriage and those opposed — jammed the halls of the capital Monday as lawmakers continued to haggle over language that will protect religious institutions and garner enough support in the Republican-controlled Senate for the bill to pass.

State troopers were called to the Senate chamber floor as the two groups started to merge and talk with each other, but there was no escalation in the jammed marble hallways that turned stifling hot from the people and TV cameras. Most were respectful of each other and kept to their own groups.

1010 WINS’ Al Jones With More On The Dueling Protests In Albany.

Groups led by clergy opposed to same-sex marriage sang hymns such as “Victory is Mine” and prayed in small circles while pro-same-sex marriage advocates countered with “God Bless America” and lined the halls and parlor outside the Senate chamber.

Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos spoke to reporters on Monday afternoon, just moments after a powwow with Gov. Cuomo and Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver.

“We have staff people and members discussing with the governor religious protections. They’re still working on it. Once they’re prepared we’ll let you know what they are,” Skelos told Kramer.

“We’re working to protect the religious protections to make sure that they’re solid and that they will stand. You could have a judge come in and knock out all the religious protections.”

WCBS 880′s Marla Diamond has the latest on the debate.

Still, the demonstrations continued to force the Senate’s hand. The Assembly has already passed the measure and is standing by to pass of the religious protections sought by the Senate as a way of making New York the sixth and largest state to make same-sex marriages legal.

A few senators — including Greg Ball of Putnam County – have said they’re still deciding how they would vote. Some of Ball’s constituents have taken to his Facebook page to pressure him to vote “yes.” Others are asking him not to rush his decision.

The outcome is of huge importance to John Mace and Richard Dorr, an elderly New York couple that wants to marry after being together for 61 years.

“Why not? Why not why complete this relationship?” Mace said. “I come from an Italian family. They’re the marrying kind.”

“The only sanctifying element in a marriage is what the two people bring to it,” Dorr added.

Former New York Giants Super Bowl hero David Tyree was in Albany to oppose gay marriage.

“I want to tell the New York senators it’s not about right and left, it’s about right and wrong. Marriage is an honorable estate not created by government but founded in nature and in God’s nature,” Tyree said.

Sources told Kramer a Senate vote is expected some time this week. Maybe Tuesday; maybe Wednesday; maybe even as late as Thursday.

Reaction on the streets of New York City has been mixed.

“I’m a Christian and I don’t really believe in that. I mean I don’t have a problem with gay people, I do have a lot of gay friends, I wouldn’t support the marriage part,” Millecher Semple, of Jaimaca, Queens, told CBS 2.

“I think they should have the same rights as every other tax paying American,” added Colin Mitchell of the Upper West Side.

Legalizing same-sex marriage has been stalled since last week, when it passed the State Assembly in 80-63 vote. Hundreds of gay rights activists rallied throughout Manhattan Sunday to push for progress on the bill.

“Injustice everywhere is injustice anywhere we need to deconstruct these laws that are unjust and create one that gives everyone the right to marry,” said Jackie Lewis, a gay rights activist.

“God made people gay, so them being allowed to marry is not only a moral right, but it’s a civil right,” Lewis added.

New York Archbishop Timothy Dolan addressed the same-sex marriage issue at Father’s Day mass Sunday.

“I know we’re sort of the David here, up against a Goliath, but we’re not going to give up. That’s what this request for prayers was all about,” Dolan said.

Dolan again stated the belief of the Catholic Church that marriage is defined by a union between a man and a woman.

“Any presumption to redefine that sacred vocabulary, I’m afraid, is at our common peril,” Dolan said.

Do you support the Marriage Equality Act? Sound off in our comments section below…

(TM and Copyright 2011 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2011 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

Religious Protections At Center Of N.Y. Senate Gay Marriage Debate

Eli

Marriage is between a Man & Woman. If people want Gay marriage because because they love another person who has the same gender maybe if someone loves his/her house maybe we should legalize that marriage also if someone can find someone to officiate such a marriage. A marriage is between a Man & a woman & a marriage between anything is stupid or gets out of hand.

Flynn

Actually Eli, it’s your comment that’s stupid and out of hand.

Vik

No, iIf you had a half a brain Flynn you’d get itl. Husband and Wife’ ‘Nuf said.

MeAgain

How about this: the marriage/civil union/whatever-you-want-to-call-it of consenting adults, gay or straight, is really none of your business. In other words, keep your nose out of the matters of others that do not affect you.

Lisa C

Why can’t this issue be voted on by all voters in NY? Oh, I know why, because in every single state that it has been left to the people, including CA the people have voted that marriage is between one man and one woman!

Mathanial

The rights of a minority should not be decided upon by the majority. If that were the case then blacks would still be slaves Lisa C
True Story

Please half the people are closet cases anyway. If they vote for it then they will feel people this they are gay. To many down low people in the world. Just come out.
littlestar

Why are you being a coward mr censor ?

Barb

First of all I would like to say that a lot of what you quote out of the Bible is out of the old testoment. When Jesus came and died and rose again for us, He took care of the rules and rituals of the old testoment once and for all. Secondly, the Bible was physically written by men who were inspired by God, so He did write it. Finally, God does not hate gays and neither do I but it is the sin. Sin is hated by God for everyone. We are all sinners and Jesus came so that we may have ever lasting life. I don’t hate gays, but I don’t like the immorality of it. The reason Christians are fighting it (and we have the right just as the gays do) is our Pastors will refuse to marry a gay couple and could very well spend time in jail for that. Is that right? I don’t think so.

krj

Inspired by and actually writing something is two different things, I’m inspired to have my child support paid but that doesn’t inspire my ex husband to do it. Being inspired by someone or something doesn’t mean that someone or something actually is the owner of that action. Because the men were inspired by God doesn’t make their words his words. i think that when people get married they will choose those who share in the celebration.

Micha

Thank you krj! There are plenty of nutcases who are “told by God to kill their kids,” doesn’t mean God really told them to do it…

Leonora

You are mistaken. No pastors are going to be put in jail if they don’t want to marry gays.

We are asking for the right to marry in civil court, under the law. If a church or synagogue chooses to perform a religious ceremony, they will be allowed to. If a church or synagogue chooses NOT to perform gay marriages, they will not be legally obliged to.

Kathleen

God DOES NOT make people gay. If that were true, then God made babies with physical or mental issues or born into an abusive family. God has nothing to do with it.

Andrew

You’re right, god has nothing to do with it because there’s no such thing as god.

Vik

Andrew is a bitter, “somebody messed with him so he’s angry at the world wuss of an atheist” moron. Pay him no mind.

Vik

You got that right, Kathleen.
Wow

are you trying to say that being gay is a birth defect?
Leonora

What do you know about it? Do you know what God is thinking? That’s awfully grandiose.

Phil Attey

Plain and simple, Archbishop Dolan does not speak for Catholics in New York on the issue of civil marriage for same-gender couples.

According to a recent Sienna poll, 59% of Catholics in New York support civil marriage for gay and lesbian couples. This is higher support, not only than the New York public at large, but higher than mainline Protestant and Jewish New Yorkers. Yes, Catholics in New York lead in support for marriage equality!

Lawmakers must do the right thing and uphold their commitment to serve the people they represent, not the heavy handed dictates of religious leaders of any faith, especially ones like ours who receive their marching orders from foreign soil.

Phil Attey, Executive Director
Catholics for Equality

Kathleen

Phil, if you are negative about your own religion and the Pope, why do you remain Catholic?

Carlos Guzman

Good point Kathleen. I don’t understand why some of these people bother going to church or being Catholic if they don’t agree in something that the church never has and never will condone. Go somewhere else. There are tons of Christian sects that believe in gay marriage. And Phil, don’t let the door hit you on the way out brother.
Leonora

I’m not Catholic but I understand Phil’s position. The Catholic church has changed and grown over the past 2000 years. Only 60 years ago, Catholics still prayed for the conversion of the Jews. Religion can progress along with society.
Adeyinka O McAdewunmi

Read the book of Isaiah chapter 3 vs 9.Also a good man of God is not going to be the popular guy,especially in this age of decadence.

Cate

If you weren’t born Gay, then you wouldn’t understand. It isn’t fair that religious communities have a hold on other HUMAN BEING’S right to EQUALITY. Everyone deserves the protection that marriage gives, gay or straight.
We don’t care that it’s called marriage… call it the color blue, I don’t care. All we want is the protection that marriage gives straight couples. I want to know that if anything happened to me or my life partner, we would be protected under our marriage certificate. I DESERVE THOSE RIGHTS AS A HUMAN BEING.

adey

If you say that you are born gay,how about those who abuse infants,or those that have sex with animals?aren’t they born that way too?It was hitler who happened to be gay too that said that you tell the same lie over and over after a while you too will start believing in your own lie!
Cate

lol are you comparing me to people who abuse infants and have sex with animals. Nice. Good argument.

Gary Miles

If that law makers are to represent the majority then put this issue in the hands of the people and not the special interest groups that like to treten to pull their support.

Cate

Are you comparing me to people who abuse infants and have sex with animals lol Nice. Good argument. You’re so smart.
Yes, abusing a child being gay is the same.
Yes, loving another HUMAN BEING and having sex with ANIMALS is the same.
Good one.

Next.
Leonora

This is one of the reasons the constitution was so brilliant. It protects the minority from the “tyranny of the majority”.

“decisions made by a majority under [the tyranny of the majority] system would place that majority’s interests so far above a dissenting individual’s interest that the individual would be actively oppressed, just like the oppression by tyrants and despots.” http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tyranny_of_the_majority

I would say that straight people voting to keep gay people from being legally married would count as a “tyranny of the majority”.

Adeyinka O McAdewunmi

What kind of bible do you read?Please on this sunday,june 26,open the book of Isaiah,chaper 3 vs 9,in the morning.And in the afternoon,go to your gay parade.Just because 59% of newyorker support gay marriage,does that make the act of sodomy right?.The issue of sodomy has nothing to do with equality.If it does,that means anybody’s sexual orientation should be accepatable.This will include those men who have sex with their daughters,those who sleep with animals,those who abuse kids,etc.Phil you have no sense of morals.Your moral compass id damaged.Dont destroy the moral compass of others,especially those who are young.A good priest?archbishop is not suppose to be popular any way.Dont turn the state of new-York into a state of Machiavelli.A state where the people are nothing but RATS,because it is a state wher anything goes,when come to sex.
littlestar

I just don’t believe those poll numbers. Mr. Bloomberg wants this law so bad, it must be pulling alot of strings.
TommyS

Phil Attey – I love how you qoute a poll that supposedly represents New York as a whole, most polls are made up of a few thousand people at most. If you go out side of NYC you would find 59% of the people in favor of gay marriage infact you would find most people overwhemingly are opposed to it. Continue to live in your bubble and all will be fine, in fact let thier be gay marriage in your bubble and keep it out of mine ! I know my senator is defenitley representing me when he votes NO on this idiotic bill for a lost cause. So once again going by stupid polls of a few thousand doesn’t make the case.

Eric in Manhattan

How is it living with so much hate? Must be a very sad life.

Will

It’s not hate it’s a fact

GREG

MARRIAGE IS BETWEEN A MAN AND AN WOMEN.. NOT TWO MEN OR TWO WOMEN……. END OF STORY… WE HAVE MILLIONS OF PEOPLE OUT OF WORK, MEDICARE AND SOCIAL SECURITY ARE GOING DOWN THE TUBES AND THIS IS WHAT OUR ELECTED OFFICALS, MAYOR AND GOV ARE CONCENTRATING ON…

Jennifer Ifebi

same-sex marriage shouldnt be a government issue but too many religious inputs are dragging the issue on! it should be a simple vote of yes and moving on

Carlos Guzman

I think you meant a simple vote of NO. But other than that I agree with you
Adeyinka O McAdewunmi@yahoo.com

United States was founded by puritians.These were europeans who came to this continent to build a nation,base on biblical priciples.So the law of the land was derived from biblical perspectives.You need to read what the bible says about sodomy.If the govt has a part to play in this debate,it should vote No to all of this gay nonsense.The bible was used to change the culture of the native americans when they came here.That was why the issue of human sacrifice was stopped,because the bible prohibited it.The bible is a book of enlightment,a book of moral conducts,a book of vision,and a book of special revelation from the Almighty GOD.
krj

I think that there were multiple groups of people who came to this land to get away from religious prosecution, the Native Americans which is a perfect example of religion pushing its way onto and changing a group of people to conform to their way and when they didn’t they rounded them up and did horrible things to the women and children and killed the men. Do you think any God inspired that to happen? Also there are plenty of straight couples married and not that practice or engage in sodomy so that’s not a gay thing that’s an to each his or her own thing. Not my thing and I’m gay.

B

I was married to my husband in Iowa (and I’m a dude). Turns out your comment that marriage is between a man and a woman isn’t accurate. Move on.

Carlos Guzman

Well you are from Iowa no no explanation needed. move on

krj

Economic ImpactA 2008 UCLA study concluded that allowing non-resident same-sex couples to marry would boost the Massachusetts economy by a total of $111 million over a three year period.[9] In addition, state and local tax revenues will increase by $5.1 million over three years including $4 million in sales and occupancy tax revenues and $1.1 million in marriage license fees.

littlestar

Voteing infavor of this bill on tjhs premis is called selling your soul.

Dennis

Greg , Well if you conservities just give us equality in this country like marriage . Then we will leave you all alone to work on the other problems that face the US. Untill I get every right you get., plan on me and hopefuly every gay person in this country fighting every year, month , day about this.
Leonora

PLEASE DO NOT COMMENT ONLY IN CAPITALS. IT IS REALLY ANNOYING.

This is one issue our elected officials are concentrating on. Just one issue. And I happen to think it’s very important.

littlestar

Wow !Ttyping in capitial letters annoys you so much ? ! ? ! God D ! That is so freaking strange !

Ellen

There is a separation of state and church, always has been, but that doesn’t mean a church or synagogue can’t express their own views on life’s situations. Seems to me that if it was the other way around and the church agreed many would be pressuring religious leaders to speak up.
Ken

Not even Catholic priests can live by the Catholic Church’s rules about sexual morality. So why does anyone take them seriously when they pontificate about sexual morality? Shouldn’t they take the beam out of their own eye before they attempt to remove the splinter from ours?

We have the constitutional right NOT to be Catholics. How does the bishop have any standing in this issue?

Paul says he has no right to judge people outside the church. What the bishop says about gay marriage is completely irrelevant to society at large.

No priest would marry two atheists, but it does not object to them getting married at city hall. No priest would marry two gay people, but it does object to them getting married at city hall. Why does the Catholic bishop want to apply Catholic rules to some non-Catholics but not to others? How is this not outrageous?

Banning gay marriage infringes on our freedom of religion. Some religious groups gladly perform gay marriages. Banning gay marriage regulates those churches by banning one of their religious practices. The government isn’t supposed to do that. The very act of making gay marriage illegal is illegal in itself.

The bishop is completely out of line. Someone needs to tell him to shut up and sit down.

Joseph Didonato

Ken your comment is so true!!!!
Paul

Bravo! Beautifully said.
Carlos Guzman

The answer is simple Ken, because it would be considered discrimination if the a Catholic priest does not perform a wedding for gay people. So he’s not out of line, he’s protecting the church from lawsuits. See? Now to speak up would be completely out of line and not in step with the beliefs of the church and it’s followers.

Leonora

It IS discrimination but churches have the legal right to discriminate. Our government doesn’t.

Cate

Said beautifully, Ken.

You know, I grew up in a Catholic family. When I told my mother that I felt different, that I no matter how hard I tried I couldn’t date the boys in school, she spit in my face and called me a pig. She continued to call me a sinner and kicked me out of my house at the age of fifteen.
I understand all of the wonderful things that religion brings, but what good is the divide that it brings as well?
I wish that our leaders would at least begin to shrink the divide and show the nation that we deserve to be treated equally. It really is our only hope since we know the church won’t. Maybe if equality was protected by our government then, I wouldn’t have had such a difficult time growing up. I deserved the same treatment as a “straight” child.
The Bishop unfortunately continues to create this divide between society. What will save us in the end, I promise, is the ability to live amongst one another, to coexist no matter what your color, gender, sexual preference, religion, etc. Remember, love is not prejudice.

YM

I was raised Catholic but I do not believe that my God would discriminate against another human being because of their sexual orientation. I am not gay, but religion aside, I believe every individual deserves the full rights under the law afforded to every family. Besides, this is the United States of America, in which, technically, by law, there is supposed to be a separation between church and state. Religion should not dictate the law of the land.

cate

Thank you, YM. Thank you for looking at people as human beings, not a lable.

Gloria Guerriera

There are millions of people out of work. Millions on welfare and food stamps.Thousands more being threatened with layoffs. Libraries, senior citizen centers, meals on wheels, being cut back. Firehouses being shuttered, and the most important thing on Albany’s agenda is promoting gay marriage. I said it before and I’ll say it again, after the four years of Cuomo as governor every thing will be the same. Albany will still be as disfunctional as always. We will still be in a hole financially, still have crooks in office, stealing money. And the spending will go as usual. And we will be broke as usual

Jennifer Ifebi

that’s a big generalized conclusion. definitely not true

Jennifer Ifebi

unfortunately, you’re the only one crying about it. move out of NY…actually, out of the U.S.
maybe Canada will be better for you!

Dave

Gay marriage will bring over $180M to NY State in one year. It has single-handedly turned Iowa’s economy around — google it.

krj

Economic impactA UCLA study has analyzed the impact of allowing same-sex couples to marry on Iowa’s state budget. The study concluded that allowing same-sex couples to marry will result in a net gain of approximately $5.3 million each year for the State.[16] This net impact will be the result of savings in expenditures on state means-tested public benefit programs and an increase in state income and sales tax revenue.

David Jenkins

Gay marriage will bring over $180M to NY State in one year — it has single-handledly turned Iowa’s economy around — google it.
Leonora

Jennifer’s right. Cuomo said he would try to get gay marriage passed but he didn’t say it was the only thing he was going to do!

Jade

I believe in everyone’s ability to practice their religious beliefs as long as it is not in violation of the law. I do not believe in anyone imposing their religious views upon me as a matter of law. I am NOT Christian, Jewish, Catholic, Muslim, nor Budhist…I am spirtual I do not read anyone’s bible nor do I follow the teachings in the Bible. If I am to be judged for that, I will be judged by GOD not by Man. However, I am a citizen of the United States, and my rights should not be modified based on anyone else’s religious beliefs. If marriage is a religious right, then remove the legal protections for married couples and let marriage be based on whatever your religious beliefs are.

Micha

PREACH!
Leonora

Beautifully said.

pmh

The Bible is what our forefathers based this country and constitutin on. What a perverted nation we have become. What happen to our moral values?

John Emr

God is not mentioned once in our Constitution here in America. Where are you from?
Lucas

uhm…no. Our forefathers DIDN’T base this country and constitution on the bible. It was based on a free (read FREE) nation. Ever read the first amendment? I bet you haven’t because you don’t even read your bible.
Nate

Yeah take a peak into our history…the majority of the forefathers were against religion, specifically Christianity.

Jefferson went so far as to re-write the bible removing the supernatural elements from the New Testament.
Jenn

not really. the made sure there was a separation of state and church….good church involvement but not too much. religious values are being too much involved now…move away to another country if you want your religious values to be at the forefront
Mathanial

Our forefathers fled the country they were from because they didn’t want to be told what to believe and who to worship. Christians want a religious dictatorship in this country and they want everyone to believe as they do…..or die. kinda like Hitler. You need to study a bit more about our history MPH before commenting.

Homer

To those quoting religious texts to support your opposition to this bill, my guess is you also oppose use of “Sharia law” to judge US cases because you’re opposed to that religion. Given that religion is made up, it has no place in this debate what so ever – no matter whose religion.
pmh

Jackie Lewis obviously does NOT know Gods heart. Jackie Lewis please read in the Bible Leviticus especially Ch. 18:22 which says,” You shall not lie with a male as with a woman .It is an abomination.” Romans 1:27 says,” Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of a woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due.” GODS WORD SAYS IT AND THAT SETTLES IT FOR ME! I quote Ulysses S. Grant our 18th President, “HOLD FAST TO THE BIBLE AS THE SHEET ANCHOR OF YOU LIBERTIES. WRITE ITS PRECEPTS IN YOUR HEARTS, AND PRACTICE THEM IN YOUR LIVES. TO THE INFLUENCE OF THIS BOOK ARE WE INDEBTED FOR ALL THE PROGRESS MADE IN TRUE CIVILIZATION, AND TO THIS WE MUST LOOK AS OUR GUIDE IN THE FUTURE. RIGHTEOUSNESS EXALTETH A NATION, BUT SIN IS A REPROACH TO ANY PEOPLE.” If you are a born again beleiver of Jesus Christ please pray for the Lord to stop this bill. pmh atlanta ga

Jesse

“Your male and female slaves are to come from the nations around you; from them you may buy slaves. You may also buy some of the temporary residents living among you and members of their clans born in your country, and they will become your property.” (Leviticus 25:44-45)
Buying slaves? A-okay, because the bible says so.

“…do not plant your field with two kinds of seed. Do not wear material woven of two kinds of material.” (Leviticus 19:19)
Cotton polyester blends? Nope, not allowed.

“But all in the seas or in the rivers that do not have fins and scales, all that move in the water or any living thing which is in the water, they are an abomination to you.” (Leviticus 11:10)
No shellfish, either. Shellfish are as “bad and wrong” as gay people.

“Do not cut the hair at the sides of your head or clip off the edges of your beard.” (Leviticus 19:27)
You also can’t be clean shaven.

So, PMH, do you think that all who shave their face or eat lobster are sinners? Or are you selectively quoting and following the bible to justify your own bigotry?

Leonora

Nicely done.

John Emr

Your religion and sharia law are not part of the equation. Eating shellfish is also an abomination in your beliefs but it is legal and allowed in the US. Your personal beliefs have nothing to do with public policy. Please enjoy the freedom to believe whatever you want, and in the same respect, don’t expect anyone else to live their lives by the dictates of your beliefs.
krj

No one honestly knows what is in God’s heart. Until your standing before the one you believe in you won’t honestly know what his or her intentions were, what you know now is how a writings and stories were interpreted. The bible was written in a time when only the wealthy and powerful could read, in a time when opium was a daily experience, when women were compared to live stock. Since lesbians and men lying with men were mentioned in the beginning then we were a community of people from the beginning just like straight people. How come no one is trying to make divorce illegal? If marriage is so sacred and in need of protecting from the gay community why isn’t the church or some group trying to make it illegal to get divorced? Hypocrites.
Micha

NEWSFLASH PMH: God and/or Jesus did NOT write the Bible, I repeat, God and/or Jesus did NOT write the Bible. PLEASE stop quoting religious texts to give you an excuse to be a bigot. If you want to hate people, hate them, but don’t be a coward and use your relgion as an excuse. As a Christian, you shouldn’t be judging anybody and if gays are sinners, THEY will pay for those sins, not YOU!

littlestar

Micha, I don’t think that they hate gay people. There was nothing in their lanauge to conclude that.

Joseph Didonato

Go take your meds and crawl back into the hole you came from and bring that BIBLE with ya!!!

Ed O’Connor

Marriage is between two people of the opposite sex just like my car is not a motorcycle and my motorcycle is not a jet airplane. The problem is not giving gay couples equal legal and civil rights, and the problem is not that one person cannot or should not love another of the same sex. The problem is the term marriage designates a relationship between a man and a woman. One has an outty and the other has an inney, the output goes into the input, pretty simple. Two outputs and two inputs are not the same as one output and one input.

Michael H.

Marriage over the millenia has also been defined as one man and several women, or one woman and several men.

What makes your definition of marriage the right one?
John Emr

Based on your comment, you have a problem with 2 outputs, and 2 innies, so it is indeed and issue of equal rights and not an issue of the word marriage. Your comment exposes your hypocracy. Very cute analogy, but tragically flawed.
Candace Simmons

Fail! I know many gay couples who are married (were married in other states), so I guess you are wrong. Marriage is between 2 consenting adults. Obviously we are not truly disputing that, since NYS recognizes same sex marriages, we are simply trying to get NYS to grant licenses.
Leonora

Ed, that makes no sense. You say you have no issue with gay people getting full rights but you don’t want us to be able to call it marriage. Why? Marriage at one time was between one man and many women. That changed over time. Marriage was once all about property and heirs. Now it’s about love. As Dan Savage has pointed out, straight people changed marriage.

Michael H.

Woooooo! Bring on the raptors!

nathan

My impersonator can post all the hate he wants – it only points out how pathetic his life is. Plus I get mega LULZ.
Cate

lol OOOOKKK, so pathetic. Good luck to you…
You’re an idiot, a prime example of our nation’s need to overhaul the education system. Do you understand what that means or should I use easier words?
I think it’s pretty funny how absolutely sad you are.
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
awesome.

Michael H.

Why shouldn’t we allow consenting adults to enter into a legally binding contract?

that is all marriage is…a contract between people.

otaybanky

If marriage is nothing but a contract, then a father and his adult daughter who are in a consensual incestuous relationship should be allowed to marry without any interference from anyone.

RichieT

You’re sick this has nothing to do with incest

RichieT

I though I was posting a reply. This was supposed to be reply to otaybanky

RichieT

It still didn’t go in the right place

RichieT

I give up. It did it again I”’ve been the reply window every time

Michael H.

Loving another person is immoral?

I don’t want to live in a moral world if that is the case.

Candace Simmons

I agree Michael.

cjbath

Bull. Slippery slope arguments are nothing but fear mongering. Government can certainly continue to outlaw polygamy and incest. Get a better argument, or admit that you’re a bigot.
Thomas

Definitely the right thing to do… Marriage is a CIVIL right for ALL Americans. I will be so proud of NY State when this happens

Aimee McMillian

Well good for you, when you die of AIDS will you be proud of New York then?

jason

you stupid, stupid person.
krj

All I can say to you is WOW, if we looked at every group of people the way you appear too America would be empty, well except for the Indians were here first.
Cate

What does aids have to do with anything?
Are you out of your mind?
There is such a lack of education amongst certain societies in our nation due to funding or poor healthcare. WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT?
are you actually connecting same sex marriage with aids? GO BACK TO SCHOOL!
Leonora

Jesus, what does gay marriage have to do with AIDS?

If anything, it would probably decrease the AIDS cases in the gay community, and maybe even the straight one. Think about it. If gay people are more and more accepted and can get married, a lot of men in the closet now (some of whom have unprotected sex with other men and then unprotected sex with their wives or girlfriends) would perhaps marry men instead. Marriage has also been shown to decrease risky behavior. Just a possibility.

Vee

I agree. All these religious oppositions are a joke, considering there’s SUPPOSED to be a separation of church and state.
Part of me feels like the Senate is voting on that, today. Not marriage equality.
claudia

Common Sense law. Give all their civil rights back.
A Concerned Catholic Priest

….I must say that I do not agree at all with Archbishop Dolan. His statements are even infuriating many devout Catholics!!! I happen to be a Catholic Priest from the New York in very good standing…. and honesty, most Priests that I know are in support of this legislation. And most Priests that know other Priests are in support of this legislation. The ones against it are the many so-called “company men” , the “YES” men…..and those who are fearful of stating what they truly want to say in support of the legislation. Bottom line: many Catholic clergy sadly seek to keep their mouths shut out of fear of potential harsh discipline by church authorities if they voice the slightest agreement in support of gay marriage. The fact is: countless gay men and women can add a great richness of creativity, imagination, unique diversity and generosity to both the Church and society at large with the powerful witness in their loving relationships. Furthermore, they have every right to the all the rights privileges that we all share when it comes to the gift of sincere and loving relationships. Sadly, many church authorities are becoming the catalysts in alienating more and more of its members every day. The Roman Catholic experience is sadly becoming less of what Christ intented and more about control, control and more control. Bottom line: nobody is listening to the men with the pointed hats anymore..not even the majority of the Catholic clergy (unless they seek some sort of career advancement perhaps)……Likewise, nobody is even listening to the Vatican anymore. They are totally out of touch with contemprary society…..still living in the Middle Ages and imposing archaic Roman thinking on the rest of the world. But the people seek to listen to the voice of Christ!!! There is so much generous love to be found in the gay community. And Jesus knows that… Gay men and women deserve to share that love in a deep and abiding way with all the protection of the law…..and likewise with the blessing of the Lord Himself!!!!

littlestar

claudia

I wish more priest and lay people would speak out on this matter. Gays are humans that are entotled to the same laws as straight people. I am a Catholic that was chased turned away from the church because of the veiws on Birth control and gays. I am a person that respects and loves all and feel that what the Church should stand for. Please speak out. By the way I am a straight Republican woman from Staten Island.
Maisy

since the Catholic church is full of gay priests, how can one be surprised that many are not following the teachings of the church. And you my friend, and all the others that support your position, need to leave the church, your thoughts are not You are corrupting the teachings of your church.
AJA

Please provide your name Mr. Catholic Priest in good standing so that we can remove you from the good standing list.
Canon Richard T. Nolan

A retired Episcopal priest/canon, age 74,I was married legally to my partner in CT during our 1959 college class’s 50th reunion. We have been a couple since our freshman year in 1955. Needless to say, I agree wholeheartedly with “A Concerned Catholic Priest!” We’re at http://www.nolan-pingpank.com
pmh

Have you even read your Bible??? It doesn not matter what I say or you say…. the Bible is very clear on this matter….read it because you are not representing what te Word of God says.

John Emr

Do you really think men didn’t write the bible?
Jade

The Bible is NOT the word of God but the word of MEN. Which is why there are different versions of the Bible. The Bible is also clear that adulturers should be put to death, as well as chilldren who do not obey their parents…I certainly don’t see any religious leaders rushing to put this as a matter of law in the United States.

HARLEM GOING HAM

ONE THING FOR SURE, IF GAY MARRIAGE IS APPROVED, THERE SHOULD BE A DECLINE IN THE ABUSE CASES COMING OUT OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH. ALL YOU GAY PRIEST CAN MARRY EACHOTHER AND LEAVE THE LITTLE BOYS ALONE. CAN I GET A AMEN?

John Emr

Priests molest little girls alos, and at a higher rate than little boys. There’s your AMEN.
Candace Simmons

You are disgusting, Harlem.
Cate

You can take that hate with you to the grave. No one cares,

Candace Simmons

Thank you Father. I am not Catholic, but hearing you say that, and hearing the comments of some other local Catholics I have spoken to, makes me respect the Catholic church more.
Micha

Thank you Father. I feel that there are more Priests like you, but many are afraid to speak out against the Vatican. I think it takes a true man or woman of God to love ALL of Gods children and see all of them EQUALLY. If they are wrong for their actions, they will have to answer to Him, not us. Bless you Father- if more Catholic Priests were like you, the Church probably wouldn’t be losing so many parishners.
Cate

If you are real, I wish you were around when I was growing up.
I have so much hope after reading your comment.
Thank you for that. I’ve been struggling so much with the church and my religion as a raised catholic. I’ve been viewed as a sinner and as someone who doesn’t belong. If I had a choice in the matter, my life would be perfect, but I didn’t. I’ve had to just sit back and deal with discrimination, even though I know that I was born this way, that none of this was my fault.
I just want to thank you again. I wish that more priests would pass on equality and love the way you just did. The world would be a much better place.
Thank you.
don

your not a catholic priest, your disgusting! My friends are catholic priests and they dont believe in same sex marriage. You call yourself a catholic priest look at all your posts littlestar!. This is the problem phonies and liars just to try and get their way. If you cant be honest dont post on this site!
NYgeorge

Your obviously a fake! No man of the cloth would say such a thing. If you are a man of the cloth, you should leave (maybe pray about it!) Try confessing that to your superiors and hear what they say.

Only in new york……….

Dale Auburn

All of us have heard, over and over, the RELIGIOUS objections to gay marriage. However, NOBODY has been willing to specify a GOVERNMENTAL reason to oppose gay marriage. In particular, nobody has been willing to identify…

- the SPECIFIC way(s) in which will gay marriage increase government’s cost, decrease government’s revenues, or impede governmental administration.

- a SPECIFIC heterosexual couple whose marriage has suffered SPECIFIC damage due to a SPECIFIC gay couple being married.

Until somebody is willing to offer SPECIFIC governmental reasons, there is nothing to talk about.

Ohanes Kalayjian

hear hear
Jennifer Ifebi

AMEN!!!
Leonora

Awesome. So true.

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Religious Protections At Center Of N.Y. Senate Gay Marriage Debate

If Passed, Empire State Would Become Largest State To Have Legislation

June 20, 2011 11:00 PM

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