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Gay Marriage Legislation Faces Last Minute Opposition By Clergy
By
Christopher Robbins
Published Jun 15, 2011
Modified Jun 15, 2011
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By
Christopher Robbins
Published Jun 15, 2011
Modified Jun 15, 2011
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Because Governor Cuomo's proposed same sex marriage legislation is a single tantalizing vote away from affording all residents in the Empire State equal protection under the law, opponents of the bill are scrambling to mount a last gasp appeal of what they believe is an affront to the "institution" of marriage. Yesterday saw "nearly a hundred" clergy at "A Rally For Traditional Marriage" in front of City Hall organized by the City Action Coalition. The CAC's leader, Bishop Joseph Mattera, warned SILive of the "large percentage of people in New York City and state who are very uncomfortable with the concept of gay marriage." Most uncomfortable of all may be Archbishop Timothy Dolan, who wrote in his blog that "God, not Albany, has settled the definition of marriage a long time ago." Was that before or after He settled whether the earth revolved around the sun?
Dolan, who has said that abortion, not gay rights, is the "premier civil rights issue of our day," continues sounding like a bigoted Andy Rooney, writing, "Last time I consulted an atlas, it is clear we are living in New York, in the United States of America—not in China, or North Korea." Yeah and in America we publish Gay & Lesbian Atlases, so maybe he should orient himself accordingly. He goes on to say that by denying the definition of marriage as "the union of a man and woman," the lawmakers are "claiming the power to change what is not into what is." Sort of like transubstantiation, but bad.
Washing the bad taste of these opponents away are politicians like state senator Roy McDonald, who changed his "No" vote against similar legislation from two years ago. McDonald tells the Post"As a father, as a grandfather, you try to do the right thing. Now, you may not like that. Fuck it. I don't care what you think. I'm trying to do the right thing."
Tagged
Albany
civil rights
equal protection under the law
gay marriage
gay rights
same sex marraige
same sex marriage
timothy dolan
Christopher Robbins
Christopher Robbins is a New York City reporter covering transportation, affordable housing, local politics, and criminal justice. His work has also appeared in New York Magazine, The Village Voice and The New York Times. Chris is a graduate of Patrick Henry High School in Roanoke, Virginia, and enjoys biking to Fort Tilden in the summertime.
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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