Comments on: New York Senate Passes Marriage Equality

By: customartist

customartist — Sat, 25 Jun 2011 23:32:37 +0000

Many news outlets today have reported ONLY that the Religious Exemptions in the law are about Churches not being forced to conduct Gay Marriages, but this is not the entire, nor the most important part of the exemptions, and I am concerned that many are being mislead.

Under these exemptions, Churches may still accept Governmentally Funded Contracts to operate services such as Adoptions, but they are allowed to then Refuse Adoption Services to Gays, and herein lies the Unconstitutional problem.

The US Constitution allows for “Equal Protection”, and it also states that there shall be no laws created “respecting Religion”. This is clear. The NY Legislature has a sworn duty to uphold the US Constitution, but they have created yet another Unconstitutional law just like DOMA.

While the law does give Gay couples the right to marry, it also reinforces the practice of inequality, favoring particular religious beliefs.

This is not being reported upon in an accurate manner among other News Outlets.

By: Erin

Erin — Sat, 25 Jun 2011 23:14:57 +0000

I usually lurk and I love this blog! As a recently engaged lesbian in Tennessee, yes change is coming slowly, steadily with youth, and certainly not through our elected legislature. Sharing with people my engagement has been one of the most surprising and encouraging things to happen for me. Marriage plans so far for Boston (now maybe niagra falls?), reception in Memphis. With each city and each state that passes this it gives me hope. Thank you for your coverage and commentary.

By: Tara TASW

Tara TASW — Sat, 25 Jun 2011 18:15:43 +0000

I was channeling Sinatra.

Tennessee and Texas will take longer, but we’ll get there. Even in those states, the younger generation is on the side of equality.

Start spreadin’ the news…

By: ZRAinSWVA

ZRAinSWVA — Sat, 25 Jun 2011 16:28:13 +0000

Tara said “If we can pass it there,
We’ll pass it everywhere”

Not for a long, long time, I’m afraid, in my home state of Virginia.

Rather, I’m banking on the SCOTUS finding DOMA unconstitutional and also that imposition of restrictions on the individual right to marry at the state level to be unconstitutional. I mean really, if the contract of marriage (or civil union, for those who feel the word ‘marriage’ is a stumbling block) isn’t portable state-to-state, we still face discrimination across the broad majority of the states.

All that being said: congratulations to New York!

By: Priya Lynn

Priya Lynn — Sat, 25 Jun 2011 15:24:24 +0000

Tara said “If we can pass it there,
We’ll pass it everywhere,
Equality, New York, New York!”.

Think so? How about Tenessee or Texas?

By: Stefan

Stefan — Sat, 25 Jun 2011 05:53:10 +0000

I don’t know what’s better; that it was during Pride month or that it was passed by a Republican controlled Senate!!!

By: Candace

Candace — Sat, 25 Jun 2011 05:24:56 +0000

Congratulations New York, from Miami! What a way to celebrate Pride!

By: Bernie

Bernie — Sat, 25 Jun 2011 05:05:07 +0000

Jim, Timothy, et al,

Thank you so much for all the work that helped to get this passed.

I wish I was back in New York to join the festivities.

By: Tara TASW

Tara TASW — Sat, 25 Jun 2011 03:41:08 +0000

If we can pass it there,
We’ll pass it everywhere,
Equality, New York, New York!

By: TampaZeke

TampaZeke — Sat, 25 Jun 2011 02:56:16 +0000

Kruger getting the last word and trying to reframe himself as a gay rights hero just made my flesh crawl.

He still has to go!