Oh, NY Senate, you had a chance to make history in a good way, for once...

[lagilman]

Damn it damn it damn it. NY Marriage Equality Act failed, 24-38.

What the %^&* is wrong with those of you senators who voted no?

The amendment was very simple: Any legal adult of sound mind could marry any other legal adult of sound mind, and no clergyperson could be pressured or forced into presiding over the ceremony.

So the sanctity of the religious organizations who don't want to include gays within their sacraments is preserved, and those who see only good in two people joining together to love, cherish and care for each other in the eyes of the State are free to officiate, and local businesses get a cash infusion from the wedding trade to aid the economy. It's all good, and fair, and the only reasons I can think for someone to vote no would be

a) if they believe that their religious views and morals trumps someone else's, and to hell with separation of Church and State
or
b) they're bigots who can't bear to let someone they consider inferior have equal rights.
or
c) both a+b


To the 24 senators who voted yes -- you are mensches, and proof that we are not forever stuck in the mire of hatred and fear that seems too often to consume us. I thank you.


EtA: and as per my earlier entry, although I got two Tiger Woods updates from CNN this morning -- not a word about today's vote or the results. CNN, you FAIL. And you're gone from my e-newsfeed.

Comments

[jhetley.livejournal.com]

Hey, we came closer (by percentage) with a general vote in Maine. Dammit.

[lagilman]

There are portions of NYS *glares northwest* that is almost painfully conservative and may not ever have met an openly gay couple, and portions that are, not to put too fine a point on it, religiously-trained homophobes. *glares eastward*

I had just hoped that the Senators would remember that, to quote: "a representative owes the People not only his industry, but his judgment, and he betrays them if he sacrifices it to their opinion.”

[blazedglory.livejournal.com]

"I had just hoped that the Senators would remember that, to quote: "a representative owes the People not only his industry, but his judgment, and he betrays them if he sacrifices it to their opinion.”"

That would have been nice. Our senator voted wrong. All right, technically, he voted "no." But that was just plain wrong. I told him before the vote that I wanted him to support children and families, but he failed to listen to me.

I just wrote to him on the topics of children, families, and civil rights telling him how disappointed I am. I also told him that I hope he'll vote properly the next time he gets a chance. We'll see.

[girasole.livejournal.com]

Word. I was hoping they would actually show some spirit, kindness, and intelligence. To say nothing of justice.

[blitheringpooks.livejournal.com]

Or they are weasel-assed cowards who are afraid of religious right.

[nycdeb.livejournal.com]

you've said it better than I. Too disappointed and let down to write on it yet

[terri-osborne.livejournal.com]

I really would love to see someone try to do away with the term "marriage" and make everything a civil union. Let "marriage" be the purview of the church, not the government.

People so very much piss me off some days.

[arouraleona.livejournal.com]

Yeah, unfortunately I think it's going to have to be sneaked in through the backdoor of things like domestic partnerships like we just managed to uphold here in Washington. And we only barely managed it. Then only when people take THOSE for granted will we be able to take it forward.