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Paterson: 'Gay marriage will pass in New York'

by smkovalinsky | October 23, 2009 at 07:50 am

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From today's Huffington Post, New York Governor David Paterson spoke to crowds last night - which included the gay activist group, The Empire State Pride Agenda - saying he expects to sign a gay marriage bill which will pass into law next month:

ALBANY, N.Y. — New York Gov. David Paterson said Thursday that he expects to sign a same-sex marriage bill into law in the coming weeks.
Paterson said he expects the state Senate to give the measure final legislative approval in weeks ahead and then he will sign it, making New York the seventh state to legalize same-sex marriage. Paterson can't force the Senate to take up the bill and admitted to reporters he can't guarantee its approval, but he says he's now confident it will pass, as advocates and sponsors of the bill in Albany have been quietly working to build support.

The bill was blocked by a summer coup in the Senate in the final days of the regular session in June. The Democrat-led Assembly has already passed the measure.

Paterson's statements Thursday came at the fall dinner in Manhattan of the influential gay rights group Empire State Pride Agenda. He said New York will have marriage equality "as a result of a law we will pass in the New York Senate, already passed in the Assembly, and will be signed by the governor, just in the next few weeks."

The 1,200 people at the dinner cheered Paterson's remarks.

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Rhonda J Mangus

at 10:02 on October 23rd, 2009

Thanks for posting, smk! Keeping in mind, however, "Paterson can't force the Senate to take up the bill and admitted to reporters he can't guarantee its approval, but he says he's now confident it will pass, as advocates and sponsors of the bill in Albany have been quietly working to build support."

smkovalinsky

at 10:23 on October 23rd, 2009

Yes, I see, one cannot get too optimistic: I suppose his words inspire confidence which is contagious. Thanks for the clarification ...

Rhonda J Mangus

at 18:31 on October 24th, 2009

Thanks, smk. And no one should, IMO. In one breath Paterson admitted to reporters he can't guarantee its approval, and in the next "he says he's now confident it will pass, as advocates and sponsors of the bill in Albany have been quietly working to build support." My question: Which is it? And, who is "...quietly working to build support."?

Inspiring confidence is a good thing; inspiring false confidence, is not.

Too, Paterson is not the first Governor to make the claim -- Spitzer: Gay Rites Ahead (January 5, 2007).

smkovalinsky

at 18:53 on October 24th, 2009

ah, yes, I see , all to true. It would not be a good thing to just be telling all "what they want to hear". Let's hope that there is some solid progress which will make his words more than just confidence boosters.

Rhonda J Mangus

at 19:08 on October 24th, 2009

I agree, smk, "It would not be a good thing to just be telling all "what they want to hear"." Unfortunately, I find it is often the case that this is exactly what they are doing -- even though I, too, would like to think differently:)