New York Senate Defeats Gay Marriage Bill: 24-38 vote [video]
“Ayes 24, Nays 38. The bill is lost.”
Final announcement from the New York Senate after debating and voting on a bill to legalize same-sex marriage. Many Senators stood and testified in favor of the bill, but in the end it was defeated. (New York Senate)
”People stand up there in front of God and man, even in front of Senator Diaz’s church — they swear honor and obey: They don’t mean a word of it. And so if anything wrong or any threat to the sanctity of marriage in America, it comes from those of us who have the privilege and the right and we have abused it for decades. We have nothing to fear from Tom Duane and Louis. We have nothing to fear from Danny O’Donnell and his partner. We have nothing to fear from people who are committed to each other, who want to share their lives and protect one another in the event of sickness, illness or death. We have nothing to fear from love and commitment. My only hope, Tom, is that we pass this bill, the governor signs it, and then we can learn from you, and you don’t learn from us. I vote “aye.”
Final part of testimony from Diane J Savino of the 23rd Distirict in New York State. She was joined by a number of other NY Senate supporters of diverse races, ages, religions who testified in favor of the bill. Unfortunately, the opposition led by Ruben Diaz, a Senator who is also a fiery preacher, ruled the day by defeating the bill 38-24. It was hoped that the bill could be passed by the legislature so it could be quickly signed by Governor Patterson, who champions same-sex marriage rights but is not very popular in the polls. (New York Senate)
”This is the reason why the nation is the way that it is. This is the reason there is so many crime, so many lose respect for the elderly, the respect for the private property, crime, all kinds of things…. Senator Allen said, ‘When I come through that door, I leave my bible outside.’ Don’t please. Don’t! That’s the wrong statement to send. The bible should never be left out. You should call your bible all the time. Like it to people or don’t like it to people. … Commit your word and keep your word. And not to try to make other people as the bad guy…. President Barack Obama, Senator Hillary Clinton, and President Clinton — I am joining them in voting ‘no.’
NY State Senator Ruben Diaz, a Puerto Rican native who has been at odds with his Democratic colleagues over the last several years, reportedly even threatening to leave the party’s legislative majority. Diaz’s last statement was corrected by Tom Duane, the gay Senator who was the main proponent of this bill, by pointing out that former President Bill Clinton now disagrees with his past beliefs and thinks gay men and lesbians should be allowed to get married. Again, the bill went to a painful and decisive defeat of 38 nay, and only 24 yea. (New York Senate)
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