Senate will debate gay marriage before the end of the year

The Governor says the Senate leadership has promised to debate gay marriage on the floor of the Senate before the end of the year...but both Houses ended Tuesday without movement on the deficit.

[concerned]

why are we talking about homosexuals & lesbians when our economy is so screwed up, and we the regular people are paying more and more extra taxes and fees while the state legislature votes itself a pay raise. Why not reduce the amount that they get and balance the budget on their backs not ours. Forget about the gays and worry about the rest of us!

[Gay Rights]

Um if this passes imagine HOW many gays will get married, and look at how much weddings are.

[bob]

marriage is between a man and a woman and who votes for gay marriage should be voted out what are we teaching are kids

[Truth be told]

bob wrote:

what are we teaching are kids

Tolerance for others

That all Americans should be treated equally

That the laws of this country are not based on fear or ignorance

That life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness applies to all

That it’s not ok to hate people just because they are different than you

Don’t worry Bob,
you can continue to teach your kids to hate gay people. Nobody is going to take that away from you.

[Challey]

Truth be Told I don't believe that this is hate for gay people. I could be wrong as I do not know Bob. I am not one that embraces the homosexual lifestyle however, I do have a few close friends that are gay. In my upbringing it was known that marriage was between a man and a woman. I am on the fence on this one. My question is what would marriage bring to a gay couple that they don't already have?

As far as children are concerned, I do know children of gay parents who are very well adjusted, successful, loved children. Which is more than I can say for many children of heterosexuals. For a child they need love, structure, and support. I would prefer a child live that lifestyle than one of negelct and abuse.

[Truth be told]

Good morning Challey,
While hate may not be the motivation behind our friend Bob, I don't think anyone can deny that it is what motivates many on this issue.

You ask "what would marriage bring to a gay couple that they don't already have?"
Well from a legal stand point their relationship would be recognized in the same manner as other marriages including all of the rights and privileges that come along with it.
Many will say that they will get these will civil unions. They may get some, in some states…but they do not get them all, in all states.
Secondly, gay marriage represents that another step in securing equality for another segment of our population. I am not gay. I do however believe strongly in what our country stand for. And for me, knocking down the walls of intolerance, injust and working towards a better union where all are treated equally makes us a better nation and a better people. So I don't beleive that this is a simplly a gay issue. Think about all of the reason that you have heard here from the folks opposed to gay marriage;

The Bible says it’s wrong
It’s immoral
It’s degusting
The majority don’t approve

What else? Have I missed any…have you heard any other reasons?
If this is it…and this is their reasons…then maybe we really haven’t come that far from the civil rights marches of the 50’s and 60’s.

The bottom line for me anyway, is that it is just wrong, and goes against the freedoms our country stand for to treat a group of our citizen this way just because they are different.

[Challey]

Security? I dont think that is the answer here. Don't gay partners already have the ability to share insurances? What do married people have that gay partners or heterosexual partners dont have? A piece of paper? Commitment to each other is more than a piece of paper.

[Truth be told]

Security? Not sure what you mean by security. And yes, commitment to each other is far more important then a peice of paper.
However it is what comes with that piece of paper that is the issue here.
Gay marriage, as I stated is just another step in knocking down the walls of intolerance.

When you have some time take a read through this link.

http://revcom.us/a/051/same-sex-couples.html

If gay married is allowed, most of the items discussed in this link will also fall or be over turned.

Bringing us closer to life, liberty and the prusiut of happiness for all.

[don johnson]

NO TO SAME SEX PERVERT MARRIAGE.
let the high tax paying citizens of nys vote on this issue like the states of maine and california. these money hungry, greedy politicians do not reflect the will of the people because these gay organizations are buying their help. governor paterson is receiving a lot of money from gays to push this dead issue. shame on you substitute governor who do not represent the will of the people.

[harvey milk says]

THE CHANCE OF GAY MARRIAGE PASSING BY POPULAR VOTE IS EQUAL TO THE CHANCE OF ME RISING FROM THE GRAVE.

[my hero]

senator ruben diaz is my hero. he stands up the our great democracy and us constitution. this man is not corrupt or a sell out like former senator bruno, non elect governor paterson or those other corrupt and greedy politicians. this man is the lead voice for the majority of us, new yorkers and americans who oppose ungodly gay marriage. keep fighting brother.

[bob]

here we go again when u disagree your a hater gay marriage is wrong im catholic