BREAKING: NY Senate Passes Gay Marriage Bill

[Hissyspit]

Source: New York Times / MSNBC

NY Senate passes gay-marriage bill

Much-watched decision makes state nation's sixth where same-sex couples can wed

updated less than 1 minute ago

BREAKING NEWS
ALBANY, N.Y. — New York state senators Friday night voted 33-29 to legalize gay marriage, a breakthrough victory for the gay-rights movement in the state where it got its start.

Religious institutions and nonprofit groups with religious affiliations will not be compelled to officiate at such ceremonies.
The New York state Assembly passed the amended bill earlier on Friday by a vote of 82-47.

The vote came after a veteran Republican senator earlier told The Associated Press he would vote yes, apparently giving the measure the support it needs to become law.

Read more: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/43507672/ns/politics-more_p...

---

@nytimes
The New York Times
Final #nygov #gaymarriage vote: ayes 33, nays 29.

[tomm2thumbs]

1. Thanks for the timely updates!

as always!

[yardwork]

2. Thank you, Hissyspit.

[BeFree]

3. Good

No, great. Equality is necessary for a free society. And tonite we are one step freer.

[Name removed]

104. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[bigwillq]

4. WooHoo!

K and R

[RKP5637]

5. K&R !!!

[Blasphemer]

6. Fantastic!! I am proud of my home state!

And I must say that Governor Cuomo has done an excellent job on this. Bravo!

[Hissyspit]

7. kick nt

[onehandle]

8. Oh no. Now I'll get teh gay.

Somebody break the news to my wife.

Congrats to New York State.

[Enthusiast]

91. .....

[NYC Liberal]

9. BREAKING:New York state Senate OKs same-sex marriage

Source: Chicago Tribune

The New York state Senate has approved a bill allowing same-sex marriage. Gov. Andrew Cuomo has said he would sign the bill, making New York the sixth and largest state to allow gay marriage.

Read more: http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/alert/chi-0624-same-...

[AldebTX]

10. Rec

[Blecht]

11. This pisses me off

There's no way this should still be an issue anywhere.

Equality now -- equality everywhere!

[Tx4obama]

16. Oh come on. Everyone is now celebrating and you're sitting there pissed off?

Pop the cork on a bottle of champagne, be happy for New York, and lighten up for the night

[Name removed]

84. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[DinahMoeHum]

53. Don't let the perfect be the enemy of the good-enough-for-now.

For now, the attitude barriers to same-sex marriage falling state-by-state-by-state (etc) is fine by most of us - as well as a boost for small businesses catering to celebrations of all sorts.

[Enthusiast]

92. And tourism.

There will be a surge of out of state gay couples seeking to marry and spend some time and money in New York State.

[DinahMoeHum]

114. Bingo.

n/t

[tavalon]

124. As it should be

so shall it be.

[JNelson6563]

113. This was a big step in that direction.

Equality everywhere will happen a step at a time. Each step is going to bring us closer to that goal and should be celebrated. A lot of people worked VERY hard to make each step, I should think you'd be a bit more appreciative of their efforts, if nothing else.

I for one am delighted and celebrating the victory in this battle which is part of a long war, as it were.

Julie

[orbitalman]

121. Yes. That and Medical Marijuana too....

along with growth!!

[sarcasmo]

135. +1

[tavalon]

123. This is a good day

No need to be angry. This stupidity will fall just as slavery did. A big stone got kicked out of the wall today. It is a happy, even gay, day. Be happy.

[bigwillq]

12. WooHoo!!

K and R

[RKP5637]

13. K&R !!!

[Tx4obama]

14. 33 to 29 on the final vote! :) n/t

[Kurovski]

15. K&R, and it's from a newspaper.

[avebury]

17. That is great for New York. It is just sad that we can't

have equality for all without having to perpetually fight for it.

[customerserviceguy]

18. Freedom isn't free

Every great move towards equality came with a struggle attached to it.

[tavalon]

125. No matter how much the tight ass old guard fights, this war is already won

by attrition alone. Ask a 13 year old whether gay people should be allowed to marry. Chances are, they'll look at you like you're an idiot for asking such a question. This bigotry, as with all bigotries, will die.

[donquijoterocket]

130. true enough but

We should not have to wait for 13 year olds to become old enough to vote on such matters. By that time as an epiphenomenal consequence a lot of the opposition will have passed on.Not to celebrate the passing of humans,but to celebrate the rising of justice and equality in this world.

[tavalon]

142. Can't disagree with that

People are mostly dumb lemmings. It's our lot.

[bitchkitty]

19. Yea New York!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0LWlClxTwsw

[SoapBox]

20. I say Celebrate!

hehe

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3GwjfUFyY6M

[Politicub]

21. I feel great tonight +1

[tomm2thumbs]

22. Momentum continues - congrats to NY

[gtar100]

23. Great!!! Remember this when you feel we aren't making progress.

I'm sure more than a few fundies turned their heads full circle hearing this. And despite all the BS with republicans, progress is being made. Let's not give up to the bigots!

[jwirr]

24. Rachel just said there is one difference in this bill than the ones in

the other states. Persons from outside the state can come to NY and get married there. I guess the other states all ban that.

I am very glad this passed. Freedom is for all of us or it is for none of us.

[plantwomyn]

28. Iowa too.

[leftynyc]

33. My cousin married

her wife in CT - they're from Arizona so I'm not sure that's correct.

[BumRushDaShow]

98. Ditto about CT

where last year my cousin married his husband in CT, including bringing his pastor and members of the choir from here in Philly up there to CT to perform the service.

Congrats to NY!

[davepc]

35. Well thats just begging for a SCOTUS review

Full faith and credit clause and all that.

[jwirr]

131. I wonder what Rachel was talking about? Maybe just the economic

impact on NY?

[Zenlitened]

25. America became a measurably better place tonight.

This was a vote in favor of the very ideals upon which this nation was founded.

[Chemisse]

26. Awesome! Good for NY State.

This is gaining momentum. Now for the other 44 states!

[liberalmuse]

27. Hallelujah!!!

I just found out by going to a gossip blog. Jumping for joy!

[Kali]

29. yes!

[peace frog]

30. YES!!!!

It's a great day for all New Yorkers.

[keopeli]

31. ...and the crowd began chanting, "U.S.A! U.S.A!"

They couldn't do it in Hawaii in 1998.

They couldn't do it in California in 2008.

But, some states stood up for equality.

And now, New York, the Empire State, almost 10 years to the day after being decimated by a terrorist attack that clearly singled them out as being uniquely American and a symbol of American ideals, has chosen equality for all as the path forward.

Because of the bold and the brave people of the states of Connecticut, Iowa, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Vermont, New York and the District of Colombia, marriage and the laws of marriage as recognized among us will now be open to all Americans. No judgment will be passed about who you choose to marry. Our government does not flinch at your right to love and marry whomever you choose.

It has now, I believe, become inevitable that equal marriage rights for all will one day soon become the norm throughout our country. It may not happen under this President, or this Congress, or this Supreme Court, but it will happen and soon. In spite of laws passed many years ago such as the Defense of Marriage Act, and in spite of political movements to codify discrimination through amending our own Constitution, our common effort to provide a country where everyone is treated equally will stand the test of time.

It's also important to point out that what President Obama has done, in concert with the 111th Congress and our military leaders, in revoking Don't Ask Don't Tell policies and by including all Americans respectfully within our armed services, is an important part of the push among us all toward better equality and a more perfect union as a people. I dare say that, had President Obama and the 111th Congress not eliminated Don't Ask Don't Tell, we would not be here today celebrating the progress that we have made.

On a personal note, I want to thank all of my straight sisters and brothers who were able to see past the haze of hateful rhetoric and recognize that an entire class of people are being discriminated against. There have never been and will never be enough GLBT people alive to pass these laws alone. By standing up for my own equal rights, you have proven yourself to be among the great heroes of America. Like the many Caucasian Americans who stood up to be heard with the voices that called for racial equality, your efforts will live in infamy as an apt display of the best part of what it means to be an American. It's no surprise to history that GLBT people, like myself, want to be recognized as equals. But, it is an extraordinary testament to our own history that America is becoming a safe place for people of all walks of life, no matter their race, their origin, their abilities, their gender or their orientation. And you, my straight friends, have made all the difference.

Keo

[Hissyspit]

37. I heard that!

[tpsbmam]

116. I love your post.

And my hearty congratulations! Boy, I wish I'd been in my native NYC when this passed -- I can imagine the celebrations.

[Deep13]

32. Out goddamn standing.

[InvisibleTouch]

34. Great news! n/t

[rbnyc]

36. I watched most of the proceedings with my son...

...I hope we have more moments like this, witnessing historic positive change.

[KeyserSoze87]

38. I'm so proud of my state!

God bless New York!

[felix_numinous]

39. Awesome on a Friday --

I can only imagine all the celebrating going on tonight!!

Congratulations New York!!!!!

[laconicsax]

40. K&R!!!

[geckosfeet]

41. Ahhh. My home state does something that I can be proud of. I was really happy

they elected Spitzer but that went south. Real disappointed in Weiner too.

But it looks like they finally did something right.

[janet118]

42. Yes!!!! Go, New York!!!

Yankees still suck though. . .

[awoke_in_2003]

43. K&R...

hope more states join in.

[Solly Mack]

44. K&R

[gauguin57]

45. Woo hoo! They're celebrating outside the Stonewall ... so beautiful.

On a personal level: Congratulations to my gay and lesbian brothers and sisters in the Empire State. Mazel Tov in advance!!

On a practical level: I predict an avalanche of revenue for New York City (and other areas of the state -- like Niagara Falls) with all the additional weddings that will soon be taking place. Other states will be jealous at the amount of money rolling into NY, I have a feeling.

It's a great night! Now ... we just have most of the country (including my state of PA) to turn around!

[tavalon]

126. Stonewall, I hadn't thought of that!

What a fucking awesome day.

[pnwmom]

46. This doubles the number of Americans living in a marriage equality state.

Congrats, NY!

[SoapBox]

47. K & R...Thanks Hissyspit!

[RZM]

48. Excellent news

I'm glad the legislature did the right thing. Once you start seeing referendums passing it will be downhill from there.

[Name removed]

105. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Firebrand Gary]

49. One step closer. Thank You NEW YORK!

[ladym55]

50. BOO-YAH!

Hooray for New York!!!

This news is SO good, I'll even forgive them for the Yankees!

[gauguin57]

51. I have gone over to peek into Free Republic, so you don't have to.

And yes, they're still really, really gross over there.

Comments about Andrew and Mario Cuomo getting married.

Comments about spitting on Christ, and remembering Lot's wife.

Lots and LOTS of references to "Screw York."

Talk of the world coming to an end.

Comparing same-sex marriage to people marrying chimpanzees (saying it's "too late" for Michael Jackson).

People hoping Al-Qaeda gets a nuke and drops it on New York.

... and that's just the (QUOTE) Christians (UNQUOTE). Hahahahaha!

Do these people kiss their mothers with those mouths?

Suck it, Freepers!

[Politicub]

57. Lol - Lot's wife...

What asshats.

[yardwork]

115. And there you have the stark contrast between those in favor of human rights and those opposed.

[RKP5637]

52. K&R !!!

[stevedeshazer]

54. So long overdue.

+1

[OhioChick]

55. K&R n/t

[gauguin57]

56. Tweet from CNN's Ed Hornick:

HornickCNN

Ed Hornick

People on South Beach are pretty stoked ... Saw a drag queen on 10th and Ocean wearing just an I Love New York t-shirt

[gauguin57]

58. Best Tweet of the night so far ... from the incorrigibly funny Patton Oswalt

@pattonoswalt

Patton Oswalt

Everyone brace for the inevitable FW: FW: FW: FW: FW: e-mail from your asshole uncle.

[Hissyspit]

65. LOL

[yardwork]

117. that made me laugh /nt

[cstanleytech]

59. Really sad

that they had to pass a "law" thats granting a right that any person with common sense would see is already part of the US constitution but was being denied to gay couples because of bigotry.

[gauguin57]

60. 2016 rumors afoot for Andrew Cuomo?

a retweet ...
@HornickCNN
Ed Hornick

And cue 2016 rumors RT @maghabepolitico: A really smart Democratic wag says Cuomo's press conference looked "extremely presidential"

[Odin2005]

61. YAY!!!

[Mr Noodlebrain]

62. totally wired and cool reverb... nice and thank you once again, NYC!

[DesertFlower]

63. great news. nt

[gauguin57]

64. Another great Tweet from Patton Oswalt. Be prepared to do a spit take ...

@ pattonoswalt

Patton Oswalt
"Meanwhile, in Yonkers, a closeted alderman sighs heavily & trudges upstairs for his bi-annual fraud-f*ck w/ his doughy wife."

OMG, that dude is FUNNY!

[Name removed]

66. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[cstanleytech]

68. *sigh*

[Horse with no Name]

67. K&R. n/t

[Dappleganger]

69. woo HOO!!

[rbnyc]

70. I'm so happy!

I may have already added my Woo-Hoo!

So many of my friends are getting drunk in the Village right now. I wish I wasn't old and poor. I'd be there.

It's okay to be here.

[Scottybeamer70]

71. I'm quite sure.........

I heard fundamentalist heads exploding in CA today. You know they are hiding under their beds by now, assuring themselves
that armageddon is about to take place in NY...............poor things.......just can't get the rest of the world to
believe they way they do. GO NY!!!

[sonias]

72. Woo hoo!!!!

Congratulations NY!!

[RyanPsych]

73. New York is for (ALL) lovers

[alfredo]

74. For all our friends and lovers

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ey1xAK9HRtc&feature=rela...

[Lucinda]

75. Awesome. About time!

[pinto]

76. Kick

[AllyCat]

77. Wow, now six whole states recognize equal rights.

[yardwork]

118. And 40 states have constitutional amendments or statutes specifically outlawing equal marriage

We still have a very long way to go. The southern states, in particular, will never vote for marriage equality. A federal remedy is the only hope for most of us. DOMA must be repealed.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Same-sex_marriage_in_the_U...

[AllyCat]

144. Yeah, and mine is one of them.

Won't change with Walker and his ilk...but we must keep fighting to get it removed from the books.

[tavalon]

127. And this one is a really, really, big state.

The Stonewall is falling.

[Evasporque]

78. Awesome news...yet makes me more aware of wisconsi's amendment.

I hope another pang of regret bites a little deeper into Wisconsin's marriage amendment drafted by outside parties...and passed by republicans.

[Curtis]

79. Can someone help me understand something?

First off, let me say I'm very happy this passed!!!

Now my question. The Constitution says that full faith and credit shall be given in each state to the public acts, records and judicial proceedings of every other state. Why can not a gay couple from Texas go to New York, get married and then go back to Texas and have Texas recognize their marriage? After all, marriage is a public act and record, right? Isn't this exactly what the full faith and credit clause is for, or am I misreading it? And, if I'm reading it correctly why has no one challenged this in court using one of the other states that allow gay marriage?

[yardwork]

119. Because of the federal Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), which outlaws equal marriage.

And because 40 states - including Texas - passed constitutional amendments making it illegal for gay couples to marry or enter into any kind of legal contract, like civil unions, that approximates the rights of marriage.

There are many court challenges. If you are interested, read up on Legal Lambda. Also, the court challenge in California against Proposition 8 will wend its way to the Supreme Court.

[Curtis]

138. Thank you

Thanks very much. It's a question I've wanted to find an answer to for many years now. I'll read up on your suggestions.

[LetTimmySmoke]

80. K&R K&R K&R!!!

[bleever]

81. If you can make it there, you'll make it anywhere...

Woohoo!

[suffragette]

82. Very good news, indeed!

K&R

[Divine Discontent]

83. comments from the well known ---

By The Associated Press –


Some quotes from celebrities reacting to the news:


"I can't stop crying. We did it kids." — Lady Gaga, on Twitter.

___

"happy gays r here again !!!!!" — Rosie O'Donnell, on Twitter.

___

"I have never been prouder to be a lifelong New Yorker than I am today with the passage of marriage equality." — Cyndi Lauper, in a statement.

___

"Time to celebrate!!! Marriage Equality for NYers! Its about... love!" — Ricky Martin, on Twitter.

___

"It PASSED! Marriage equality in NY!! Yes!! Progress!! Thank you everyone who worked so hard on this!! A historic night!" — Neil Patrick Harris, on Twitter.

___

"I'm thrilled about the news from NY. Marriage equality! Every day we get a little closer. What an amazing feeling." — Ellen DeGeneres, on Twitter.

___

"tonight we're all New Yorkers! Straight & gay alike, let's all celebrate marriage (hash)equality. The right side of history!" — Kathy Griffin, on Twitter.

___

"Happy that New York passed marriage equality tonight. A victory for human rights. Progress." — John Legend, on Twitter.

___

"congratulations!!!!!!!!! About time!" — Pink, on Twitter.

___

"Alec! Now we can get married!" — Steve Martin to Alec Baldwin, on Twitter.

"Ok. But if you play that ... banjo after eleven o'clock..." — Baldwin's response.

___

[Rhiannon12866]

85. K&R!

I'm proud to be from New York tonight!

[Supply Side Jesus]

86. a KICK for equality!

[4lbs]

87. Remember though, that the same state legislature also passed a religious exemption to same-sex

marriage.

What does that mean?

While same-sex marriage is legal in New York, the religious exemption allows churches to deny same-sex couples from getting married there. It also allows pastors, ministers, judges, etc, to deny performing a same-sex wedding for religious reasons.

So, if a gay couple in New York wanted to get married in a particular church, the church could say "No way, you're not having it here!".

Likewise, if they asked a minister or justice to perform their wedding, he or she can refuse saying they are against same-sex marriage because of their religion.

[dgibby]

94. Most churches reserve the right to deny marriage services

on any number of grounds, divorce being one. Most minister's require marriage counseling before they'll perform the ceremony. I would hope that same sex marriage wouldn't be the reason to deny the services of the church, but I realize,sadly,that there are those churches that are not that evolved.

The good news, however, is that there are progressive churches that will step up to the plate and do the right thing, and now they have the law to back them up.

I heard on the news last night that the religious exemption clause was the only way they were able to get the bill passed. They didn't have enough votes without it.

[DiverDave]

88. About time

eom

[OneBlueSky]

89. honestly, I never thought I'd live to see the day . . .

a hearty and grateful "good on ya!" to the handful of Republican senators whose votes made this happen . . .

it's a good night to be a New Yorker! . . .

[jumptheshadow]

90. She just asked me to marry her again...

this time, in our home town.

[Hissyspit]

95. +1

[xchrom]

93. ...

[FLPanhandle]

96. Cue the awkward stares of all the hetero couples

that promised to get married "When our gay brothers & sisters can!".

[Danmel]

97. Go New York, go New York go!!

Sadly, both my Assemblyman & Senator voted no.

[divvy]

99. K&R ..... Nice wake up with the morning coffee

[phylny]

100. Happy news! n/t

[JTFrog]

101. K&R!

[endless october]

102. K/R nt

[rhett o rick]

103. What? And the earth hasnt opened up and swallowed civilization? rec. nm

[myrna minx]

106. K&R n/t

[ElsewheresDaughter]

107. Okay, now lets go drag the remaining 44 screaming and kicking into the 21st century

[Bluenorthwest]

108. Adding an early moring west coast yipppeeee!

Love you, New York!

[Cass]

109. Excellent!!!

K & R

[SemperEadem]

110. this is brilliant!

And for those who oppose this welcomed righting of wrongs, you are welcomed to stay the hell out of NY if you don't like it.

[Corruption Winz]

111. Yay. We've caught up with the rest of the civilized world when it comes to this issue!

Hooray!

However, now, people will marry dogs. Gay people will start burning churches and hetero-bashing. Kids will grow up with two dads, which will obviously lead to kids becoming terrorists that are socialists and will undoubtedly kill us all.

Or... two people in love will finally get to marry each other and nothing dramatic will change for those this doesn't directly affect.

One or the other is true.

[Grateful for Hope]

112. K&R!

[tpsbmam]

120. From a straight ally who lived in NYC during Stonewall;

who lost many, many wonderful NYC friends during the 70's & 80's due to AIDS & witnessed the horrific fear & shunning by so many of my friends with AIDS and the pain that caused; who joined every AIDS walk from the first in '86 ('87?)....I blubbered a soul purging blubber when I heard this morning. This is for you, Buda, Roman, Alan, Aidan, Roberta, JJ, Alvin, Bill, Q & Alix -- I wish you'd lived to marry. And to all who gave so much fighting for every scrap of dignity and rights that were garnered over the years. And to all of my GLBTQI brothers & sisters.....

HOOORRRRAAAAAYYYYYYY!!!

[tavalon]

122. Woot!

That is so great!

[Nossida]

128. Oh Good Christ

This will have the Puritanical
Rightwing Rabble frothing at the
mouth for 7 to 10 News Cycles @
least.

Between Sanctimonious Santorum,
Hucksterbee, and Tony Perkins
it will be a Feeding Frenzy of
Hate on the Yank News Feeds all
next week. You can count on it,
Enjoy it Comrades, I won't be
watching.

A very wonderful weekend to all
you Loyal Blue Americans.
Cheers M8's

Nossida wishes you all well.

[Laurab]

129. I'm so proud of the state I live in today! nt

[66 dmhlt]

132. Joe Biden got it right:: "This is a BIG FUCKING DEAL!"

... AND as the EBS is lit for Pride Week:

[Kurovski]

133. K&R. (nt)

[Tuesday Afternoon]

134. wonderful news. now, on to the rest of the states

[rainlillie]

136. I'm a proud New Yorker!

I'm so happy that the same sex marriage bill passed. Now if we can just do something about all of this rain.

[defendandprotect]

137. Wonderful -- and congratulations to the GLBT community ....

and their intelligence and spirit in their campaigns to enlighten us all --

and end this oppression.

[bobburgster]

139. I was very happy to see...

that the overwhelming majority of replies were celebrating the positive results of the vote! It must not be easy to keep from letting frustration seep out with the snails pace towards equality.
Here's to your victory, and may others come swiftly!

[AnnieBW]

140. Awesomest Pride Parade Ever!

And it happened on the night before the Gay Pride Parade in NYC. Will that be the most fabulous parade ever or what?

[Rockholm]

141. Awesome!

[AntiFascist]

143. Congratulations!!!

[Zorra]

145. Woo-hoo! More progress, and a big step.