New York Governor David Paterson wants to reintroduce the Same-Sex Marriage Bill into the state, allowing gay couples to legally marry.
The bill was initially introduced into the Assembly two years ago by former Governor, Eliot Spitzer, but denied in the Senate. Even with the same strong opposition, Paterson wants to give it another try.
Here in Syracuse, Michael Weinberg, a gay-rights organization leader, thinks this is a dangerous move for Paterson. “It brings out a lot of protestors and it hurts chances of re-election,” Weinberg said. “It’s certainly not a move for a politician to make if he’s worried about his popularity.”
In a Quinnipiac University poll done last week, only 41 percent of New Yorkers are in favor of same-sex marriage. With statistics like these, Weinberg fully supports Paterson’s efforts, but thinks the gay movement needs more time. “I think it’s very important for gay people to be honest about who they are,” Weinberg said. “A lot of people go through life saying, ‘well, these issues don’t affect me because I don’t know any gay people,’ when in fact they do.”
The bill would allow for legal marriages between gay couples in the state of New York, something only done by Vermont, Iowa, Massachusetts and Connecticut so far. Weinberg, however, doesn’t think the bill would have any influence on his life because the rights enjoyed by married couples come from the federal level. “On a state level," said Weinberg, "legislation like this is almost symbolic rather than real."
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