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Gay Activists Promise "Bloodbath" After Senate Marriage Rejection
By
John Del Signore
Published Dec 7, 2009
Modified Dec 7, 2009
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By
John Del Signore
Published Dec 7, 2009
Modified Dec 7, 2009
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The rhetoric is ratcheted up to 11 after last week's overwhelming rejection of same-sex marriage in the state Senate, which left gay-rights activists reeling. "It's going to be a bloodbath," one gay "operative" tells the Daily News. "We're going to use every single weapon in our quiver to take these people out. We either need to replace them or scare the hell out of them so they do the right thing." Activists say they'll focus their efforts on the Democrats who they feel betrayed them, and number one on the list is Senator Joseph P. Addabbo of Queens.
Some analysts believe that because the alphabetically-advanced Addabbo voted second in the roll call, his "no" sent a message to subsequent swing voters that the measure would not pass, creating a domi-no effect. Addabbo has sought to draw a line between his personal opinion on same-sex marriage (which he refuses to divulge) and the will of his constituency. Speaking to reporters about his vote, he said:
To this day, I have kept my personal belief out of it, and it's still personal...It is my belief, and it's only my belief. I voted, again, the will of the people in my district. First and foremost, I am very thankful to everyone who got me to where I am as a state senator. I am grateful to all those in the gay community that supported me—whether it be financially or with the hours of volunteer work. I'm grateful to them, but never once did I say to anyone or any particular entity what my position was on the issue...
We could talk about it on a morality level, a religious level, a civil rights level, so there's many levels to that one issue of marriage equality, unlike what we voted on here... I pride myself on being an advocate for equal rights, but marriage equality transcends just the issue of equal rights.
Gay activists say they spent more than $1 million to help the Democrats retake the Senate, and the big money gays are now planning to support challengers against some of the eight Democrats who joined the GOP in voting no. These include Sens. Shirley Huntley and George Onorato, both of Queens, and Sen. Bill Stachowski of Buffalo. Embattled Queens Sen. Hiram Monserrate, who faces possible expulsion for assaulting his girlfriend, cast a surprise no vote; he'll be challenged by Assemblyman Jose Peralta, who is backed by party leaders and has voted for gay marriage in the past.
Tagged
activists
addabbo
election
gay
new york
nyc
Politics
same sex marriage
John Del Signore
Originally from the Albany area, John Del Signore has called NYC home since 1995. In addition to his thousands of meticulously-crafted bespoke blog posts for Gothamist, his writing has also been published in The Awl, Deadspin, The Nervous Breakdown, and performed at The Brick Theater in Brooklyn.
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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