NY Assembly to support gay marriage; protest looms

[t0dd]

Associated Press
May 11, 2009

http://www.newsday.com/news/local/wire/newyork/ny-bc-ny-xgr--gaymarriage-n0511may11,0,6534163.story

ALBANY, N.Y. - The state Assembly is expected to pass as early as Tuesday a bill toward legalizing same-sex marriage, while Democrats in the Senate are working furiously to get enough votes to turn the proposal into law.

Even opponents expect easy passage in the Assembly, where Democrats hold a super majority.

In the Senate, Democrats have a 32-30 margin. But at least one Democrat, conservative minister Ruben Diaz Sr., is opposed and is helping to organize a demonstration by clergy against gay marriage.

Yet, after years in which it appeared the proposal would never reach the Senate floor, supporters see movement and opponents see some wavering under intense lobbying from both sides.

"We have a significant amount, but I know it's not 32 (votes)", said Senate Majority Leader Malcolm Smith. "We're working on that. We're clearly moving in the right direction."

Democratic Sen. Thomas Duane, a leader on the issue for years, said he believed it would pass "by a majority and a few to spare."

"The vast majority of Democrats will vote in favor of it, and several Republicans will vote in favor," said Duane, of Manhattan.

[Skinner]

1. This would be HUGE.

Third largest state in the nation, and passed by a legislature. Huge.

[Starry Messenger]

3. HUGH!! I'm SERIES!11

:D

[bluedawg12]

4. Yup! If they have the votes it's very Hugh alrighty!

:fistbump:

[ruggerson]

5. The domino effect

change is coming. :)

[LonePirate]

2. Surely there are two moderate Republican state senators ...

Who are willing to vote this into law. Hopefully not all 30 of them are right-wing extremists. Is that even possible given the state's strong Democratic base?