New York Legislators Cannibalizing Their Own Wedding Industry
“‘Democrats Reach Pact to Lead the Senate’ (news article, Jan. 7) notes that a bill to ‘legalize marriage of gay men and lesbians’ doesn’t have the votes to pass the New York State Senate. But same-sex marriages have been legally recognized here, under the principle of comity, since they started being performed elsewhere — first in the Netherlands in 2001, then in Canada and Massachusetts, and now in Connecticut. By failing to pass the marriage equality bill, which has been passed by the Assembly, the Senate is driving wedding business out of New York, hurting New York’s crumbling economy without stopping gay New Yorkers from assuming the rights and responsibilities of marriage.” —New York Times letter writer
Yes! I think the pocketbook strategy is one major prong of a multi-pronged strategy. Especially in these times. I hope we can get Paterson and Bloomberg to note the millions NY is losing more often.
DAvid, just an FYI: Andy Humm, who wrote this letter, is not a mere “NY Times letter writer.” He is a longtime LGBT activist, having fought hard for many gains both here in NY and also on a national level. He’s also a journalist and co-host of the “Gay USA” program.
It will be to New York State’s detriment by not passing legislation. The state comptroller’s office estimated that the state could realize more than $200 million a year in revenues from gay weddings alone. If they don’t want it, then NY state deserves what it gets and relegates itself to yet another regressive state. If Governor Patterson fails to get elected in two years as governor, then we can expect a republican to take over again, rumor has it Rick Lazio, an opponent of marriage equality might run. Forget about marriage equality anyway. Not going to happen with the way things are right now. Other states will pass us by as usual.