Demonstrators Hold Rallies To Call For Same-Sex Marriage Referendum

July 24, 2011 8:04 PM

Maira Garcia (R) and Maria Vargas hold hands while waiting on line to get married at the Brooklyn City Clerk’s office on July 24, 2011 in New York City. Today was the first day gay couples were allowed to legally marry in New York state. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)

Reporting Marcia Kramer

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

NEW YORK (CBS 2) — A sea of people rallied outside Governor Cuomo’s office and in cities across New York State, as the first weddings uniting same sex couples were performed, Marcia Kramer reports.

By far the largest group marched to the United Nations to demand that all New Yorkers, all 20 million residents, not just the 212 members of the legislature, be given a say on whether same-sex marriage should be legal.

“Two percent of the population is dominating 98 percent of the people’s will. For a governor and a mayor and a city council to override the will of the people, they work for us and should have never decided for New Yorkers,” protester Desiree Bernstein said.

Also on hand were members of the organization Connecting Rainbows, which supports gay marriage and the Westboro Baptist Church, who are opposed. They showed up outside the Manhattan City Clerk’s Office as well.

“They’re driving a stake into the heart of the most holy of covenants that God created and it’s going to bring on the doom of this nation,” said Ben Phelps of Topeka, Kansas.

“It’s plainly against God’s law and every New Yorker knows it,” said Margie Phelps.

Maybe because he was trying to avoid the protestors, Governor Cuomo held an event that was closed to the press but designed to trumpet his success in passing the the Marriage Equality Bill.

“People will have the right, inheritance rights, hospital visitation rights, insurance rights, pension rights,” he said. “Equality and dignity and non-discrimination and acceptance and non-judgmentalism that is what it was really about.”

Cuomo said same sex marriage is a victory for all New Yorkers because it shows the state accepts people from all places and their differences.

Should New York State have held a referendum on same-sex marriage? Sound off in our comments section below…

Demonstrators Hold Rallies To Call For Same Sex Marriage Referendum

Not a Bruce

Lets say we are in a land where gays outnumber straights 51 % to 49% would you as a straight human want the laws on how you can live your life decided by a vote.

Dr Rob

But its not…

Nathan

Good observation. Great way to avoid the statement that made you uncomfortable.

Aliza

Who said marriage IS HAPPINESS? It is a sacred and holy covenant that produces happiness when it kept holy and sacred (which is a lot very challenging and fulfilling work.) There was no need for this. Most people would have been okay w/ civil unions but this was forced on all of us, like it or not.

Ed Schneider

I would have to call the bluff on this. Every year, millions of Americans file for divorce. If we are going to outlaw something based on it being called marriage, then I want divorce outlawed.
the imp

How was same sex marriage ‘forced on all of us’? Are you now required to marry someone of the same sex??

s l

there all sick in there hed. thay belong in the zoo.

http://ethicalfutures.wordpress.com HooDatIS?

Sl you must be the zoo’s first new resident, Goofy the Guinea pig
i didnt know they let the guinea pigs use the wifi
taxpayers dollars being wasted once again
http://ethicalfutures.wordpress.com

Lisa

I told my husband that our marriage was a farce,everything about marriage now means nothing(man on man woman on woman man and dog) we are getting divorced…I’m sooooo happy thank you to the pink team!,,,,,,

NYSmike

Are you dating a dog now?

simon goldfarb

THE United Jewish Federation has called for a public stoning of this communist mayor.

NYSmike

Ahhh take yourself to New Square where you can’t even accept your own people.

Doug

Ritchie–you’ve obviously been watching too much of the nutty little man with the blackboard, haven’t you? Right out of the playbook of Glen Beck. Fool!
A.

Thank you to all the non-hating, straight allies, and to all you others: get a life and stop judging others!!

NYSmike

Exactly!

RichieT

People can say any they want. This country is a Republic. not a Democracy.
If it was a Democracy. where public opinion determine the laws, The 19th Amendment would never have been ratified,and there would still be slaves.
People DO NOT have the right to determine the laws of this country, The right to vote, yes, Approve or deny amendments yes, laws no. It takes 3/4 of the states to approve an amendment before it can be ratified.
The 19th Amendment;
“The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex. Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.”
It took 42 years from when it was first proposed to finally grant women
the right to vote. .
(Grant, or revoke are permissions, give or take are things)
essortment.com/history-19th-amendment-21116.html

Doug

Ritchie–you’ve obviously been watching too much of the nutty little man with the blackboard, haven’t you? Right out of the playbook of Glen Beck. Fool!

RichieT

Welcome to The United States
Laws are NOT determined by popular vote
I’ve spent allot of time online looking up how the constitution, and the amendments actually work..
Have you?
Legally Ratify an amendment.
wikipedia.org/wiki/Article_Five_of_the_United_States_Constitution
The 10th.
The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.
That’s what the immigration battle is over. States vs Government. It’s not defined in the Constitution . It automatically defaults to States Rights.
Citizenship is federal, immigration isn’t.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tenth_Amendment_to_the_United_States_Constitution
Citizen Born in the United States
The 14th
Section 1. All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside. No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.

Ruby

A gay man killed a Jew in Brooklyn. Imagine what a gay married couple will do to a child. I’m disgusted

RichieT

Does that mean that Hitler, and his Nazi army that slaughtered app. six million Jews were gay?????
Six Starborn

Whites enslaved and lynched African people, imagine what theyll do if theyre allowed to adopt black children

Verum Vulnero

Africans enslaved Africans, The Dutch, English and Portuguese from black( Ghana) slave traders and brought them to America. Pick a race, country, all have the terrible atrocity of slavery in their history. Your snide remark lacks substance.

the REAL TRUTH

Joel Steinberg and Hedda Nussbaum

ed

Thank you, Peg.
Peg

Absolutely they should have voted on this. Just like they allowed a vote to repeal slavery, right? Get it through your thick skulls, civil rights of a minority CANNOT be put to a public vote. Plato knew this way back when, why can’t you understand it?

CJAFHH

Bravo Peg, Bravo!
Wilson

It’s not a civil right jerk,its common sense Man=Woman= MARRIAGE. Not woman=vacuum or man= beer and god has nothing to do with it!

RichieT

common sense doesn’t have a da2883 thing to do with laws.
Algia Dockery

WILSON; YOU ARE RIGHT; IT IS NOT A CIVIL RIGHTS MATTER; LISTEN IM BLACK AND LIVED THROUGH THAT MOVEMENT; ALL BLACKS WANTED WAS
TO NOT BE TREATED IMMORALLY. WE WERE NOT ATTEMPTING TO PROMOTE AN IMMORAL ISSUE.
Nathan

Man = Woman?

If you want a traditional definition of marriage:
Woman = Man’s property…

If we are going to redefine it as a union of love (recommended), I don’t see your argument why any two legal consenting adults can’t love each other.

NYS stinks

You have a civil right to lick carpet but it’s not moral to marry

the REAL TRUTH

Algia

so MLK said He had a dream where blacks are treated morally…man that is one twisted look at the movement
Nathan

Depends on where your morals are from? Some of mine are not from Christianity, but from cultures and religions where gay is alright, and love isn’t limited to genitalia.

Since it’s America and we have no national religion, nor will we (per constitution) other peoples morals are valid as well.

Maybe you should spend more time on your morals, and less on mine.

TrainerCary

touche
Family ties

Is there a peg in ur hole

The Creator

JIm, Frank, etc.,

How exactly are you/they being bashed? You cannot back up what you anything you write with facts. In what westernized country where same-sex marriage is legal are people marrying their pets and or children? Now use your critical thinking skills and answer the question accurately. You think you could do that?

And as for JIM, putting a civil rights issue on the ballot to “see what our society should look like” probably violates Equal Protection Laws guaranteed by the Constitution. This is something our supreme court here in California didn’t think about when they even let Prop H8 on the ballot.
roberto

they should legalize it in new york i mean come on does it really doesnt matter who getting married i wimen and 1 guy to 2 wome, if they are happy thats the only thing that should matter. and no religous fanatisim or ones orejudice will change that.

CJAFHH

I know, you are correct, it shouldn’t matter, why do they care, right? But Roberto, I think it boils down to this: gay marriage is beautiful, like heterosexual marriage. I think for those against it, they try to hide behind the veil of religion, they fail to realize that the intent of religion is peace and love. They are against gay marriage because they would rather be on the side of hate than love, and their own lives simply aren’t fullfilling enough so the bond between two men and two women disturbs their sensibilities, it disturbs their sad, empty lives.

A.

CJAFHH, I couldn’t agree with you more!
ly

I guess it’s time to legalize man animal union!!!

Ryan

Though I am a Democrat and voted for Cuomo, in this issue I am against his position. Don’t bypass the voting process, give New Yorkers a shot at their own Prop 8 and let’s see what happens. In the public eye many NY Senators felt the pressure to vote in support of gay “marriage” for fear of being called names, so let’s take it to the polls where we can all cast our votes in private and see what happens.

CJAFHH

Ahm, Ryan, can you elaborate on which Senators voted for fear of being called names, instead of doing their jobs for which we voted them in? I would love to know those senators’ names, and how you have such insight into the voting thoughts of said Senators. That would be a huge miscarriage of justice if they did in fact vote under threat or fear of “name-calling”, sounds like middle school recess, and if that’s the case, they shouldn’t be senators. but do enlighten us, since you know so much in re the senators!
NYSmike

Let’s vote on people named Ryan to leave the state! We’ll call it Prop 0!
Six Starborn

Americans dont know enough about politics to have a right to vote. And if people got to vote on every last thing, blacks would still be enslaved and women wouldnt have a right to vote

FRev. Charles L. Nowell, Sr.

I do not want anyone to say anything about doomed and illness and that God is cruel and should not happen to people. If you live by the sword or whatever you sow that shall ye reap. Man and man or woman to woman watch out on what will come. That’s the word from God.

Curt Bearing

That argument doesn’t really hold the same weight it used to. Gays are not aborting children, and there are more children of divorce since the inception of time than we can count. When someone is divorced, they are essentially breaking that covenant with God. So should you be condemning those people. And how about the people who have children and then put them up for adoption so other people can support them. I don’t see many church-goers adopting these children. We do not live ion a perfect world, and God knew that. At some point, you need to reconcile your ideas and find a way to steer them toward doing some good to everyone in the world. Also, God said that man should not judge another man, so I and most of the people in here don’t need your commentary and selfish interpretation. Learn humility and stop using God as your sounding board. Quite frankly, you’re emabarrassing him.

CJAFHH

Curt, exceptionally stated, it seems certain folks only apply the word of the Lord, when it benefits their opinions only.

A.

And what if you’re an atheist and don’t believe in God, heaven or hell? Just because you believe they all exist doesn’t mean they actually do. You have faith, NOT facts or proof.

Adeyinka O McAdewunmi

Afoolish person will say in his or her mind,there is no GOD.

Alan S

I have no problem with your religious beliefs, as you are entitled to believe whatever you want. I just don’t want your religious beliefs (or anyone else’s, even mine) to be considered when we make laws. I believe in strict separation of church and state. Any arguments for or against gay marriage should be ignored if they are based on religion. Personally, I support gay marriage because it seems to be mainly an issue of fairless and legal rights, and there is no valid secular reason to prevent two same-sex people from marrying and having the same legal rights as a man-woman couple.

Frank

Joey’s comment is right which is why all the gays / lesbians here are bashing him.

CJAFHH

Frank you know what they say about those who ASSUME…nope, not gay, rather I’m a happily married woman (in an interracial marriage) who wholeheartedly believes in marriage equality. Nice that you’re defending poor Joey B., but he still has yet to explain how gay marriage will lead to criminal activity…any thoughts you can share, since you’ve taken on his defense? We’re all waiting for a cogent argument here!

tonyb

Im for equal rights but I do think corps have been and are trying to turn men into women who only care about buying things and how they look so that they can be as dumb as possible as they complete a wealth transfer, gays dont have children they never accidentally stop being consumers bc they had a kid they can and do spend lots of money on LUXUARY, especially here in manhattan

so I think the aristocracy has decieded well dressed feminine gay men are better than poor or middle class straight men

otherwise I think marriage equality is a good thing bc the gays should have freedom but I also see the other side of the coin might not be great for society for dudes to be marrying dudes
jim

I say put it to a vote. We have the right to weigh in on what we think our society should look like.

RchieT

This country is a Republic not a Democracy. Popular vote has nothing to do with the laws of this country It took an amendment so states couldn’t ban inter-racial marriages.

jim

The popular vote will have a number of the politicians(law makers) who passed this law working in different occupations shortly. So we shall see.

Six Starborn

Americans dont know enough about politics to have a right to vote. And if people got to vote on every last thing, blacks would still be enslaved and women wouldnt have a right to vote
Nathan

Nope, you don’t have a right to tell me who to marry. Its sad you think so, its sad you want that right. I would never want that power over you.
KPMc

So… if a majority of secular non-religious people vote to ban your religion and all others because they feel thats how our society should look you are ok with that?

CJAFHH

Joey B, are you seriously comparing the bond between two consenting, loving adults who deserve to share in the marriage benefits as tax paying individuals, to the criminal acts of pedophilia and animal cruelty? Such fear mongering is indeed comparable to the individuals who fought against inter-racial marriage. If gay marriage leads to criminal activity, then wouldn’t all other forms of marriage lead to that as well? How can two consenting adults’ marriage lead to criminal activity, or set a precedence to criminal activity? Ask yourself that question. ANd MARRIAGE = THE BOND BETWEEN TWO CONSENTING ADULTS, WHETHER EITHER IS A MAN OR WOMAN. End the hate.
From God on HIgh

Joey, that stupid argument has been used for years by idiots like you. You know that’s not going to happen and it never will. People are not marrying their pets in Canada, Belgium, or Spain where same-sex marriage has been legal for years.

“Pedophilia-chilid marriages”? I mean, really? You’re just parroting what you hear on right-wing talk radio, FAKE News, and the pulpits of mega churches. What a looser, man!
Gino Bambino

Fantasy narratives about the origins and sanctity of marriage are not based in the actuality of the many diverse definitions of heterosexual marriage. I am expecting a referendum on the 2012 ballot. By then, arguments about what will happen (to the children!) will be moot after gay marriage has been legal for a year and has had no impact whatsoever on others’ lives. I’m not sure any amount of out-of -state funding and religious fear tactics will be enough to pass voter legislation at that time.

Interesting idea, quoting the Plelps “church” and his family of psycho hater “Christians” as a rational argument against gay marriage.
Aaron

Joey,
Are you really that ignorant. That was the same argument that was used against inter-racial marriage. Grow up…
nancy calamita

LET THE PEOPLE VOTE ON THE STUPID LAW IN THE UP COMMING ELECTION, JUST LIKE CALIFORNIA PROP 8, SO WE CAN HAVE THIS BILL OVERTURNED. MARRAGE = 1 MAN & 1 WOMAN.

Curt Bearing

Unfortunately, at this time, DIVORCE = 1 MAN and 1 WOMAN, and ABORTION = 1 MAN and 1 WOMAN.

Seems like you have some housekeeping to do on your team before you start criticizing others

joey from B’hurst

The same arguments that are used marry same sex coples, could they be not be used for an individual to marry a pet, an inanimate object, or maybe even both opposite and same sex menage-a-trois, bisexual marriages? Wouldn’t it be discriminatory otherwise. Could it get worse, and have pedophile-child marriages? Just a point to ponder…think about it!

Michael H.

A pet or an inanimate object cannot sign the marriage license, so how could you marry either? There is something in the legal world called “consent” that is needed to enter a contract. Marriage is a contract. That’s all it is in the eyes of the law. Now, if you could figure out the implications of tax, child custody and divorce law in polygamist, polyamourist or other multiple partner marriages, I don’t see why it would be a problem. Why should consenting adults be denied a union that has zero affect on anybody else?

CJAFHH

I can’t believe such ignorance is interrupting such a beautiful day for love and equality! Congratulations to those of you finally gaining the right to marry, I can’t believe this was ever an issue and still is an issue in so many states in the land of the free.

roberto

so true just legalize gay marriages to all the states i mean they deserve a shot at happiness like everyone else in this country

LLY

Happiness indeed! I guess the next step is to legalize marriage between humans and animals so those who have sold their souls to the devil can have a shot at happiness. God must be weeping for His creatures. Spare O Lord!!!! Spare Thy people!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Nathan

@LLY

God doesn’t like the overuse of exclamation points.
And he is weeping, weeping for all those people who want to stop two people in love from getting married.

confused

just exactly does sh** taste like cjaffh??must be good cause you guys sold your souls for it

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Demonstrators Hold Rallies To Call For Same-Sex Marriage Referendum

July 24, 2011 8:04 PM

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