Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Marriage Equality Now One Vote Short In State Senate
By
Garth Johnston
Published Jun 15, 2011
Modified Jun 15, 2011
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Garth Johnston
Published Jun 15, 2011
Modified Jun 15, 2011
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Despite objections from the clergy, the march to marriage equality in New York goes on. The State Assembly, which has passed gay marriage measures in the past, has agreed to vote on Governor Cuomo's Marriage Equality Bill this afternoon now that Cuomo has sent a "message of necessity" (which was, uh, necessary since the bill was only introduced yesterday and the legislative session ends Monday). In the meantime Republicans debated the bill behind closed doors today for four hours, right after another GOP Senator flipped on the matter. It is thought that the State Senate is now just one vote shy of bringing Marriage Equality to the Empire State—and in the end it could all come down to Staten Island!
Despite the fact that Cuomo's bill has religious exemptions written in to it, religion seems to be in many of the wavering pol's minds (you can see a full list of Senators thought to be on the fence, and how to contact them, right here). “I think one of the hallmark principles of this country is respect for the faiths of religion in this country and I think that needs to be preserved. I think there are issues that are outstanding in this legislation with respect to this issue," Staten Island Senator Andrew Lanza (who is thought to be a swing vote this round) told reporters after the GOP's meeting today. "If nothing else, we are a country that protects religion freedom and that must be embody in any legislation that comes to the floor for a vote in this Senate."
Before Lanza was saying his piece, Senate Majority leader Dean Skelos told the crowd that the extra-long meeting was
a tremendous conference, a thoughtful conference discussing the issue of marriage equality. Discussions are going to continue tomorrow...The issue has not been resolved. I’m respecting the decision of the conference. Once its made. The conference has asked me to keep the confidence at this point, which is what I intend to do. That’s my responsibility as the leader, and we will continue to conference the issue tomorrow. We haven’t resolved anything other than that we’re going to continue our conference.
As New Yorkers wait for the Republicans to finish conferencing and set a date for a vote, the lobbying for and against the issue goes on. Continuing its video series for gay marriage, the New Yorkers United for Marriage today released a non-celebrity clip, but an effective one nonetheless. Meet Edward Hinz. 70 years ago he fought in World War II and today he is fighting for his grandson's right to marry in New York. If the Greatest Generation gets it... maybe the GOP can too?
Tagged
Albany
andrew cuomo
gay marriage
marriage equality
Garth Johnston
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
Coney Island's small, 1890s lighthouse may be landmarked by the city
It's in the private community of Sea Gate. Family members of the lighthouse's last civilian keeper are keeping its history alive.
By
Catalina Gonella
Published Oct 20, 2026 at 4:41 p.m. ET
New renderings are out for Queens' Metropolitan Park casino
The city's Public Design Commission taking a look at what's in store.
By
Willow Higgins
News
New renderings are out for Queens' Metropolitan Park casino
The city's Public Design Commission taking a look at what's in store.
By
Willow Higgins
Inside Luigi Mangione's legal strategy before his federal guilty plea
By
Samantha Max
NYC proposes crackdown down on AI customer service chatbots
By
Arya Sundaram
Early Addition: There's a new hot duck, this time in Queens
By
James Ramsay
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .