NY Assembly Passes Gay Marriage Bill

By a wide, bi-partisan majority, the New York State Assembly passed a bill legalizing gay marriage, setting the stage for a tougher fight in the state senate: (h/t Jake Tapper)

The State Assembly approved legislation on Tuesday night that would make New York the sixth state to allow same-sex marriage - a pivotal vote that shifts the debate to the State Senate, where gay rights advocates and conservative groups alike are redoubling their efforts.

In a sign of how opinion in Albany has shifted on the issue, several members of the Assembly who voted against the measure in 2007 voted in favor of it on Tuesday.

The final vote was 89 to 52, including the backing of five Republicans.

My favorite reaction came from Patricia Llanes, via her Twitter feed, who had this to say to the anti-gay National Organization for Marriage's Twitter group, nomtweets:

The courage shown by NY Governor David Paterson, Mayor Mike Bloomberg, and particularly those 5 Republicans who voted for the measure provide an example in leadership for the rest of the country.

Although they will doubtless be disowned by much of their own base, here's what some of those Republicans had to say:

"There's that little voice inside of you that tells you when you've done something right, and when you've done something wrong," said Fred W. Thiele Jr., who represents the Hamptons. "That vote just never felt right to me. That little voice kept gnawing away at me."

"They are asking only for equal protection under the law," (Janet L.) Duprey said. "They deserve no less than to have the same rights and ability to share their love."

Here's hoping that New York voters agree, and punish cowards like Rudy Giuliani, who use the rights of others as a wedge for their own political greed. I defy anyone reading this, who ever meets Giuliani, to make him look you in the eye and tell you he really doesn't believe gay people have the right to marry. I guarantee you will walk away unconvinced.

I also hope that people who believe in equality for all Americans will get in touch with their senators to urge them to pass this bill.

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