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Speaking of trying to secure marriage rights in a blue state, new polling from New York’s 62 state senators reveals Sen. Thomas Duane’s statement that he had the necessary votes (32 of ’em) may not show the whole picture.
Just 20 senators (all Democrats) say they’ll vote “yes” on the same-sex marriage bill, with nine undecided, and five refuses to share their stance. Time Warner’s NY1 polled all 62 senators and found 28 senators will vote “no” (among them, six Democrats).
But just in case you thought bigoted Sen. Ruben Diaz was the only person using this equality bill as a means to grab power (remember, Diaz refused to support Sen. Malcolm Smith for majority leader unless Smith agreed not to bring gay marriage to a vote), listen to Rochester’s Republican Sen. Jim Alesi: He won’t reveal where he stands on the issue because the Democratic majority hasn’t lent him and his region enough support to warrant his cooperation. That doesn’t necessarily mean Alesi will vote against the bill (he says he’s made up his mind, though), he just won’t help Smith reach his magic number of 32 — which Smith is demanding before he’ll let the bill go to a full Senate vote.
How about we take this to the next level?
Our newsletter is like a refreshing cocktail (or mocktail) of LGBTQ+ entertainment and pop culture, served up with a side of eye-candy.
Ah yes, playing politics with civil rights. How admirable!
Here’s where everyone stands:
Would vote “Yes”
Eric Adams, D-Brooklyn
Neil Breslin, D-Delmar
Martin Dilan, D-Brooklyn
Thomas Duane, D-Manhattan
Pedro Espada, D-Bronx
Craig Johnson, D-Nassau
Jeffrey Klein, D-Bronx/Westchester
Liz Krueger, D-Manhattan
Velmanette Montgomery, D-Brooklyn
Suzi Oppenheimer, D-Westchester
Kevin Parker, D-Brookyn
Bill Perkins, D-Manhattan
Diane Savino, D-Staten Island/Brooklyn
Eric Schneiderman, D-Manhattan/Bronx
Jose Serrano, D-Bronx/Manhattan
Malcolm Smith, D-Queens
Daniel Squadron, D-Brooklyn/Manhattan
Toby Ann Stavisky, D-Queens
Andrea Stewart-Cousins, D-Westchester
Antoine Thompson, D-Buffalo
Would vote “No”
Darrel Aubertine, D-Cape Vincent
John DeFrancisco, R-Syracuse
Ruben Diaz, D-Bronx
Hugh Farley, R-Niskayuna
John Flanagan, R-Suffolk
Charles Fuschillo, R-Nassau/Suffolk
Martin Golden, R-Brooklyn
Joseph Griffo, R-Rome
Shirley Huntley, D-Queens
Carl Kruger, D-Brooklyn
William Larkin, R-Cornwall
Kenneth LaValle, R-Suffolk
Thomas Libous, R-Binghamton
Elizabeth Little, R-Queensbury
Carl Marcellino, R-Nassau/Suffolk
George Maziarz, R-Newfane
Michael Nozzolio, R-Seneca Falls
George Onorato, D-Queens
Frank Padavan, R-Queens/Bronx/Nassau
Michael Ranzenhofer, R-Amherst
Joseph Robach, R-Greece
Stephen Saland, R-Poughkeepsie
James Seward, R-Milford
Dean Skelos, R-Nassau
William Stachowski, D-Buffalo
Dale Volker, R-Depew
George Winner, R-Elmira
Catharine Young, R-Olean
Undecided
John Bonacic, R-Mt. Hope
Brian Foley, D-Suffolk
Ruth Hassel-Thompson, D-Bronx/Westchester
Owen Johnson, R-Suffolk
Andrew Lanza, R-Staten Island
Roy McDonald, R-Saratoga
Hiram Monserrate, D-Queens
John Sampson, D-Brooklyn
David Valesky, D-Oneida
Wouldn’t Say
Joseph Addabbo, D-Queens
James Alesi, R-East Rochester
Kemp Hannon, R-Nassau
Vincent Leibell, R-Westchester
Thomas Morahan, R-Rockland
Dawgson
As a New York state native, I can say this state has some of the most corrupt and f-cked up politics outside of Chicago. Taxes are high, but it doesn’t translate into more services. There’s a complicated fealty system within the State legislature and it seems impossible to remove these entrenched corrupt capos.
CelebLulz
^ that sucks 🙁
Flex
It’s not over yet New Yorkers! You know who you need support from, so go get it!
Sean
You can move Lanza into the “No” group. I wrote to him asking him to support equality, and here’s his response:
“To Whom it May Concern:
Thank you for your recent correspondence with my office regarding same sex marriage legislation. There has been no vote yet on this issue within the New York State Senate, as Senate Democrats have not brought it to the floor.
I believe that no one should be treated unfairly, which is why I support civil unions as the preferred approach on this issue. I believe that we should legislatively secure equal benefits for same sex couples, without changing the definition of marriage. Accordingly, I do not support the legislation as it is currently proposed.
Once again, thank you for your recent correspondence with my office. Please, do not hesitate to contact my district office 718-984-4073 with any questions or concerns.
Sincerely,
ANDREW LANZA
State Senator
24th District”
AlwaysGay
Call and email New York State Senators NOW and encourage them to vote YES on marriage equality.
http://www.senate.state.ny.us/Senatorbio.nsf/Public_MemberEmail?openform
Stojef
Any Democrat who votes against the bill should be targeted at re-election. We put them in power this last election. And if we aren’t going to get marriage equality, we might as well have Republicans in power. F ’em!
My mother get a letter from Foley and he appeared supportive. Maybe we can move him to yes.
fuckFaggots
Most gays & lesbians I know aren’t even religious, so why the hell should they get married to begin with? Marriage is a sacred RELGIOUS ritual. When gys & lesbians get married, its like giving God the middle finger!
Dears fags: Don’t get married, if your not religious!
You gays & lesbians (which I call SCUM) are stupid as hell!!!!