After passing through the Assembly twice and failing twice in the Senate over the past four years, same-sex marriage is making headlines again in New York State. Since taking office in January, Gov. Andrew Cuomo has publicly stated that he plans to put the issue on the agenda of this year’s legislative session. While the Governor is making strides, both sides of the controversy are considering the future of same-sex marriage in New York.
For Ginny Apuzzo, founding president and lifetime board member of the Hudson Valley LGBTQ Center in Kingston, the day of victory for marriage equality seems relatively near.
“I think it will absolutely pass, very likely in the next two years,” she said.
Apuzzo said that although the 2004 Jason West same-sex marriages in New Paltz raised awareness for the cause, “raising awareness is the easy part.”
She said it will still take some time for legislation to pass. Apuzzo, who was also the first openly gay person to be confirmed by the New York State Senate when she served as Commissioner and President of the New York State Civil Service Commission, said that pushing marriage equality through legislation and through the public is a process. The opposition, she said, can influence that process.
“We need to approach this issue with a clearer understanding of those in the middle,” she said. “People who are not with us, are not necessarily against us.”
In the Northeast, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Vermont, and New Hampshire allow same-sex marriages, while New Jersey allows civil unions between same-sex couples. In January 2011, Quinnipiac University Polling Institute reported that 56 percent of New York voters supported same-sex marriage.
Responding to the Quinnipiac poll, Edward Mechmann, Public Policy Coordinator for the Family Life/Respect Life Office of the Archdiocese of New York, said that the Archdiocese will continue to educate people on the definition and nature of marriage.
Mechmann said that the Archdiocese opposes any form of legislation that would allow same-sex unions to be considered marriage. The Archdiocese is part of the Catholic Church, a strong opponent of same-sex marriage.
“We expect the Governor to introduce such a bill during this session, as he has promised, and we will oppose it when he does,” Mechmann stated in an email. “We take the potential for passage of this legislation very seriously, but, given the nature of New York politics, we would hesitate to make any predictions about its likelihood.”
Mechmann did say that if a bill were to pass, the church would monitor its implementation in an effort to prevent the violation of religious liberties. He also said that the bishops of New York have stated that while the Catholic Church opposes same-sex marriage, their position should not be taken in any way as a “condemnation of homosexual people or an attack on their human dignity.”
Although there have been media reports that Governor Cuomo has met with politicians regarding same-sex marriage, there have been no definitive reports on when or if the issue will be presented in the state legislature. Until then, both sides will continue their respective fights for and against same-sex marriage.
“It will never be over until the bill is passed and signed,” Apuzzo said.
Post by Natassia Donohue
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