The right to same-sex marriage, once a long-shot hope for many couples in New York, may now be closer to becoming a reality.
The Judiciary Committee of the New York State Assembly will vote Tuesday on a bill, sponsored by Morningside Heights’ Democratic assemblyman, Daniel O’Donnell, to legalize same-sex marriage in the state.
Governor Paterson reintroduced the bill on April 16, becoming part of what some see as a recent nationwide trend of state-level marriage equality. Iowa and Vermont both legalized gay marriage in early April.
“I’d say its about time,” Ian Scheffler, CC ‘12 said. “Lets get with this whole northeast gay marriage thing.”
But despite what it may seem, the state is not simply following a burgeoning movement. In 2007, the state assembly passed a same-sex marriage bill put forth by Governor Eliot Spitzer by a vote of 85-61, though the legislation did not make it through the then-Republican controlled State Senate.
“Our work to correct injustice cannot depend on factors like timing or guaranteed success,” Governor Paterson said in a press release. “For too long, LGBT New Yorkers have been told to wait for their civil rights and personal freedom. We will not wait any longer.”
According to Governor Paterson, as many as 1,324 civil protections, such as health care and pension rights, are denied to same-sex couples because they are not allowed to marry.
Yet this time around, many more are hopeful. The new assembly bill has gained 54 co-sponsors—a record number—in only three days.
“That’s a very, very difficult thing to do,” O’Donnell said, noting the significance not only of the number of sponsors but also the amount of time it took to gain them. O’Donnell was also the lead sponsor of the 2007 bill and behind the its passage in the assembly.
If passed in the assembly, the legislation will then be introduced onto the floor of the Senate, where it will need 32 votes to pass. And with the support of Senate majority leader, Malcolm A. Smith, Democrat, the bill is looking ever-closer to becoming a law.
“I think that there is a much better chance that the NY State Legislature will approve the gay marriage bill now than ever before,” said Flora Davidson, professor of political science and urban studies at Barnard. Davidson cited the recent approvals of similar bills in other states, as well as support from Mayor Bloomberg, Governor Paterson and other elected officials as all being helpful factors.
“This doesn’t mean that this will be enough to overcome opposition from more conservative quarters,” she said. “But the prognosis is better than it has ever been before.”
CQA board member Sam Preston CC '12 said, “I think we’re witnessing a period of unprecedented social advancement,” adding that “New York has waited more than long enough to take a stance.”
Preston also noted, “as deeply happy and proud as I am for Iowa, it should been us first.”
It has been “a very nice couple of weeks, especially after Proposition 8,” said Columbia Queer Alliance treasurer and Columbia College Student Council 2011 Class president Learned Foote. “I would be excited to see it come to the state where I go to school.”
Apart from the clear social benefits for same-sex couples, many also tote high hopes that the bill will yield financial benefits.
“When people get married, they rent tuxedos, they buy flowers,” O’Donnell said. “It would help the economy.”
“Weddings are a big business and attract tourists as well as new residents,” Davidson said, echoing O’Donnell. “This could be a boost to the local economy in numerous ways.”
Others remain critical of the legislation. Kevin Magus, CC ‘12, said that he is “proud” of the Governor, but finds fault in the bill. “I believe that all legal unions, regardless of the gender or sex of the individuals involved, should be distinct and separate from religious marriage,” he said.
O’Donnell emphasized that at the end of the day, the bill makes the most lasting impact on an individual level.
“We here in New York believe in equality for gays and lesbians,” O’Donnell said, adding, on a personal note, “I’m one of those people.”
“After 28 years of being engaged ... it’s time I got married.”
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