Moments ago, the New York state Senate approved a marriage equality bill by a vote of 33 to 29. The legislation, previously approved in the state Assembly, will result in NY becoming the sixth state where same-sex marriage is allowed.
After Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo signs the bill, as expected, New York will join Massachusetts, Iowa, New Hampshire, Vermont, Connecticut and Washington D.C. in recognizing equal justice for all, as per the U.S. Constitution, in regard to marriage.
The right to marry was confirmed by conservative Supreme Courts in both California and Maine, but in each state, ballot initiatives were passed in hopes of nullifying that right. California’s Prop 8, a state constitutional amendment banning equal marriage rights, has since been found unconstitutional in federal court, and is likely to be decided, eventually, in the U.S. Supreme Court.
NY’s state Senate is the first legislative body with a Republican-majority to approve a bill for marriage equality.
The victory for real conservatives will result in a doubling of the number of Americans guaranteed equal marriage rights under the law.
And, once again, as a service to fake conservatives — such as those who oppose equal rights for gay, fellow citizens, to marry each other — a reminder: Even once this bill is signed into law, gay marriage will remain optional, not mandatory, in the state of New York.
UPDATE 9:18pm PT: Via AP…
The Democratic governor signed the measure shortly before midnight Friday, following up on a promise to put his name on the legislation as soon as he received it rather than wait the usual 10 days to sign it for it to become law.
…And the Empire State Building is lit in rainbow colors in celebration.
This is definitely something genuine small government conservatives who don’t want big government legislating their personal lives will rejoice.
I am elated that it passed. It is not a religious issue. People who try to make it a religious issue are misguided. If the state bestows rights in a contract, the rights should go to all citizens without prejudice.