The New York State Assembly will soon consider a bill that would legalize same-sex "marriage" in the Empire State. The state legislature has seen such bills for 5 years now. This time, however, backed by Democratic Gov. Eliot Spitzer and a record number of 53 cosponsors in the Assembly, homosexual activists have never been closer to imposing same-sex "marriage" on the state.
Daniel O'Donnell, one of three openly homosexual lawmakers in the Assembly, introduced Gov. Spitzer's same-sex "marriage" bill in the chamber Monday. The proposed law would change standing marriage laws by removing gender from the legal definition of marriage and make denying a marriage license to homosexual couples illegal.
Sources say Assemblyman O'Donnell hopes for a vote on the governor's bill in the next few weeks, although he will not push for a vote until he is confident the measure has a chance of success. Spitzer's bill needs 76 votes to pass in the Democrat-controlled Assembly. That cuts it close for pro-marriage advocates, since 69 members indicate some support for same-sex "marriage" while 48 remain undecided and 33 are opposed, according to a legislative scorecard kept by the Empire State Pride Agenda.
Although Spitzer trumpets same-sex "marriage," the Democratic leadership in the Assembly is divided on the issue. Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver has not yet taken a position on the issue, while Democratic Majority Leader Ronald Canestrari opposes it.
If same-sex "marriage" passes in the Assembly, the Republican-controlled Senate, led by Republican majority leader Sen. Joseph Bruno will likely oppose it. Bruno has stated the Republicans find property taxes rebates for homeowners more in the interest of New Yorkers than same-sex "marriage" and would reject Spitzer's bill.
