Social conservatives filed a lawsuit aimed at ending New York Governor David Paterson's gay marriage push. The suit, however, fails to take earlier court rulings into account and "essentially asks the courts to order the governor not to comply with their own recent rulings." [GCN]
Arizona-based Alliance Defense Fund simply can't mind their own business! After attempting to stay California's gay marriage ruling, the right-wing, Bible-based group has now filed a lawsuit fighting New York Governor David Paterson's push for same-sex recognition. [AP]
New York's religious and right wing leaders are preparing to battle Governor David Paterson on yesterday's gay marriage announcement. Said Catholic activist Richard E. Barnes: "The definition of marriage predates recorded history. No single politician or court or legislature should attempt to redefine the very building block of our society in a way that alters its entire meaning and purpose." We're not entirely sure "marriage" actually predates recorded history. Maybe in Bible land, but not the real world. [CBS News]
New York Governor David Paterson took some time today to reinforce his groundbreaking gay marriage edict. For those of you not paying attention, Paterson ordered all state agencies to accommodate out-of-state same-sex nuptials. Sensing a shit storm on the horizon, Paterson deflected calls that he's acting out of order…
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New York Governor David Paterson's sticking to his good, gay word.
The politico, who took over after Eliot Spitzer's hooker scandal, vowed earlier this year to bring same-sex nuptials to the Empire State. While couples can't yet marry within state lines, Paterson and his team this month declared that New York must accommodate gay marriages performed elsewhere, like California, which will likely start issuing same-sex marriage licenses June 17th.
In a directive issued on May 14, the governor’s legal counsel, David Nocenti, instructed the agencies that gay couples married elsewhere “should be afforded the same recognition as any other legally performed union.”
The revisions are most likely to involve as many as 1,300 statutes and regulations in New York governing everything from joint filing of income tax returns to transferring fishing licenses between spouses.
…
Legal experts said Mr. Paterson’s decision would make New York the only state that did not itself allow gay marriage but fully recognized same-sex unions entered into elsewhere.
New York will get same-sex marriage. Well, it will if Governor David Paterson has his way.
The gay friendly politico couldn't attend last night's National Gay and Lesbian Task Force's leadership dinner, during which he was meant to receive an award, so the gay-friendly politico sent a video message in which he chats about the state's progressive history, how Martin Luther King Jr. paved the way for gay rights and why he's proud to have run with Eliot Spitzer, who resigned last month in the wake of his whore scandal.
The bulk of Paterson's message concerns marriage equality in the Empire State, which the Governor describes as a political imperative:
We will push on an bring full marriage equality in New York State. And when we have done that, we're going to do more.
We're going to protect young people from bullies. We're going to protect against the discrimination of people in the transgender community, and we're going to fight for decent and affordable healthcare for all citizens in this state.
If you will join with me, and if we work hard enough, we can change the face of New York, which will be the catalyst to changing national policy.
The crowd, we're sure, went wild.
New York's new governor David Paterson might be battling through his own sexual history, but there's one other man in his new administration to pay attention to: Charles O’Byrne. As Paterson's secretary, the openly gay politico is the governor's No. 2, and it's been his job to prep David and wife Michelle for the uncomfortable rounds of questioning.
The former Jesuit priest and Howard Dean speechwriter has worked with Paterson over the past three years — and had three days to suss out the transition between embroiled Eliot Spitzer and the new gov.
Colleagues call O'Byrne a "tough guy," someone who was always drawn to progressive politics, and someone who has a history of "butting heads with powerful institutions," says the Times. He's been vocal about his intolerance for "boyologist" priests who prey on their young charges, which, let's face it, could be a problem down the road between Paterson and religious groups. CONTINUED »
New New York Governor David Paterson admitted to having an extramarital affair while he and his wife, Michelle, were having romantic difficulties. She also got down with someone else. Way to head off a scandal! [NY Times]
David Paterson was sworn in as New York's 55th Governor today following Eliot Spitzer's whore scandal. Said the politico: "Today, like we always do, in spite of the obstacles, regardless of the circumstances, we move forward. Of course I never expected to have the honor of serving as governor of New York… Today we can be proud of our democracy." [NY Times]
Governor Eliot Spitzer's resignation rocked Albany this week. And, as we've mentioned, gay rights organizations have been busy congratulating incoming Governor David Paterson, a longtime ally.
Certainly Paterson will work closely with gay rights organizations, but how does a gay non-profit really cope with such a massive political shift, especially after endorsing Eliot Spitzer's gubernatorial campaign? That's but one of the questions our editor posed to Alan Van Capelle, executive director of Empire State Pride Agenda.
As one of New York's largest, most influential gay rights groups, the Pride Agenda had a very intimate relationship with Spitzer, but those days are over.
So, where does the non-profit go from here? What makes Paterson so great? How can we define a gay ally? And what does Van Capelle think of Spitzer now?
Find out, after the jump…
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New New York Governor David Paterson probably can't see straight right now. Well, actually, he barely see at all.
If he could, however, we're sure Paterson would be blown away by the outpouring of gay support. It's been a mere few hours since Paterson ascended and a number of New York's lavender leaders are extending their hopeful congratulations.
H. Alexander Robinson of the National Black Justice Coalition lauded Paterson's sudden rise:
David Paterson is known across Albany as a consensus builder and is highly respected on both sides of the aisle. He has also demonstrated his commitment to full equality for all Americans.NBJC looks forward to working with Governor Patterson on a myriad of issues affecting our New York State constituents.
Alan Van Capelle of the Empire State Pride Agenda also highlighted Paterson's fight for equality, particularly Paterson's pro-gay Senatorial past.
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New York Governor Eliot Spitzer just resigned following his hooker scandal. Lt. Gov. David Paterson will take over on Monday. He told the people that he always expected politicians to live by their word, and he should be no different. We didn't catch the speech, but WNYC reports that nasty NY Post reporter Andrea Peyser called out to First Lady Silda Spitzer, "Are you going to leave him?" People were apparently aghast. [WNYC]
We had a similar headline two days ago, but that one ended with a question mark. This shit seems like a done deal. We'll get you the disgraced Governor's statement when it's available. And keep your eyes peeled for gay friendly David Paterson's swearing in, which will make him the first black Governor in New York's history. And, also, the first blind Governor in the United States. [HuffPo]
The political air's a-cracklin' today!
As the Democrats prepare to duke it out in the Mississippi primaries, New York Governor Eliot Spitzer's still in limbo. Will the former attorney general crusader resign following revelations that he had multiple encounters with a prostitute?
The calls for his head are growing louder by the second, and many say that resignation's imminent, thus leaving Albany open for Lt. Gov. David Paterson's ascension.
Black and blind, Paterson's no stranger to adversity. And no stranger to pro-gay activism…
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CBS' New York affiliate reports that Governor Eliot Spitzer may resign as soon as tonight, which would make Lt. Gov. David Paterson the state's first black and the nation's first legally blind governor. [CBS News]
