New York Governor Andrew Cuomo Monday released a video calling for action in the battle to achieve same-sex marriage equality.
“It is not a question of religion or culture but a question of legal rights and government policy,” the Governor stated. “When it comes to fighting for what’s right, New Yorkers wrote the book, and marriage equality is the next chapter of our civil rights story.â€
READ: Is There Anyone Left In New York Who Does Not Support Same Sex Marriage?
Adding that there are “1000 federal and 700 state rights” that same-sex couples are discriminated against accessing by mere virtue of their gender, (the numbers are actually higher, but it’s a great soundbite,) Governor Cuomo says, “from the fight for women’s suffrage to the struggle for civil rights, New Yorkers have been on the right side of history. Indeed, New Yorkers have made history.”
The Governor also reminds New Yorkers that marriage equality is not a matter of religion, and says “It’s hard to imagine today, but at one time it was illegal for an interracial couple to marry in this county.” (Paging NY State Senator Diaz…)
Governor Cuomo has publicly advocated for support of same-sex marriage, even before he officially kicked-off his gubernatorial campaign.
“Last week, state senator Martin Golden, a Republican from Brooklyn, introduced a bill to make void same-sex marriages legalized in other jurisdictions, which have been recognized in New York since 2008,” writes Julie Bolcer at The Advocate today. “His co-sponsors include deputy senate majority leader Tom Libous and Ruben Diaz, Sr., a Democrat and outspoken gay rights opponent. While the bill has almost no chance of moving, it sent a signal to advocates including New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg, a major financial contributor to Republican state senators, who lobbied lawmakers in Albany last week.”
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http://cdn.livestream.com/grid/LSPlayer.swf?channel=newyorkstateofficeofthegovernor&clip=pla_67b52906-19eb-4baf-8635-ea67a394baf5&color=0x000000&autoPlay=false&mute=false&iconColorOver=0xe7e7e7&iconColor=0xcccccc
(hat tip: Boy in Bushwick)