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 move will also help the Democrat etch himself in history as the only governor to ever rally for such a policy. Of the step, an administration official remarks:
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.
It is, after all, the thought that counts…
In addition to Spitzer’s gay marriage blitzer, The New York State Dept. of Civil Service also has some things up their social sleeves:
How about we take this to the next level?
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The New York State Dept. of Civil Service will also announce today that same-sex spouses of state employees (married in jurisdictions where gay marriage is legal) will be eligible for benefits. What this basically means is that any spouse of a gay state employee who was married in Canada, Massachusetts, Spain, South Africa, Belgium or The Netherlands will now be treated like any other married, benefits-eligible spouse.
These moves come just days before LGBT Equality & Justice lobby day, when hundreds of gay activists will move on Albany to demand equal rights. Sounds like Spitzer beat them to the punch.
N.Y. Gov. Proposes Gay ‘Marriage’ Bill with No ‘Realistic Shot’ [Christian Post]
Spitzer Offers Gay Marriage Bill Today — Friday, April 27 [Gay City News]
