We knew it was coming, but we never could have predicted how soon. New York Governor Eliot Spitzer's making good on his campaign promise to push for gay marriage rights. Pride Agenda reports that the handsome politician will put the bill forward this morning, making him the first governor to aggressively push for equal rights.

Though certainly an exciting developement, the bill's largely ceremonial. First of all it counts as a program bill - a bill that comes from the governor, rather than the legislature. Further, his progressive politics aren't likely to reach the floor for a vote, a fact of which Spitzer's well aware:

I do not think there is a realistic shot that it gets passed, but I will submit it because it is a statement of principle that I believe in and I want to begin that dynamic.

The governor is fulfilling his promise to the community and a taking a courageous and historic step toward making equal civil marriage rights a reality in New York.

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The New York Times reports today that New York Governor Eliot Spitzer plans to introduce legislation that would legalize same-sex marriage in the state. The announcement underlines Spitzer's commitment in favor of gay unions at a time when his critics have become increasingly vocal in questioning his standoffish approach to the gay marriage debate in the months following his election to office in November.

I am focusing now on politics as the art of the possible, Spitzer is quoted as saying, adding: “I think most who are close to the issue would agree with me that it’s not likely to be passed in the next nine-and-a-half weeks."

Spitzer Plans to Introduce Gay Marriage Bill [The New York Times]

While peeps in San Fran worry about being shot on the streets, New Yorkers with HIV are worried about living on the streets. Why? Because out-going Governor George Pataki (pictured) and his goons are pushing for rent-hikes in for AIDS patients living in government-subsidized housing.

The Washington Blade reports:

The increases would vary depending on tenants' finances, but some tenants Tuesday said they could have to put 60 percent or more of their small incomes toward rent. Some rents would more than double, according to legal papers filed Monday by the advocacy group Housing Works.
...
The state and city play roles in administering the subsidies. City lawyers say the state is insisting on raising the tenants' contributions, which have been capped at 30 percent of their incomes. State officials say the city's cap conflicts with a longtime benefits policy that applies everywhere else in New York state.

Well, actually, a federal court on Monday gave them a bit of a break by stalling the proposed increase for at least 45 days, approximately 200 protesters took to the streets to pressure the pols into discarding the issue all together.

And, of course, the activists made sure to swing by Eliot Spitzer and John Faso's respective campaign offices to woo the prospective governors.

New York Attorney General and frontrunner in the race for NY Governor Eliot Spitzer has taken his already strong support for marriage equality to the next level. Upon being elected governor, he has promised to introduce and champion same-sex marriage legislation in New York.

What a crazy position! Imagine the political fall-out! His Republican opponent has already started to use this ample ammunition in his own campaign by: not addressing gay marriage and focusing instead on economic issues. Perhaps Hillary Clinton and other politicians who refuse to support same-sex marriage out of fear should take notes from Mr. Spitzer. Everyone, even Republicans, will respect you more if you take a position instead of a non-position.

Eliot could spur gay 'I do' for N.Y. [NY Daily News]