Just in time for absolutely nothing, former New York State Senate Majority Leader Joe Bruno has some out in favor of same-sex marriage. Too bad he can't vote any more and help clear up the clusterfuck that is the New York Senate. In typical fashion of out-of-office politicos, Bruno's position on gay marriage has, ahem, evolved. Though he once called being gay an "abnormal lifestyle," he's now taking the "personal freedom" position and wants us to live in matrimonial bliss, too!
While inoffice, Bruno only stood against same-sex marriage because "the overwhelming majority of my caucus opposed it" — which is always a solid reason to discriminate. Also, his views as a staunch conservative Roman Catholic influenced his decision to hate on homos during his Senate years, which ended last summer. Nevermind that Bruno is no longer a member of the Senate — he's also under federal corruption charges.
So, uh, thanks for the support?
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that's great so now gop members who aren't in office but can still press their fellow members are thanked by us by calling them meaningless, how much this tactic will work in our favor in gathering constituent support.
This is too pessimistic. There is still time! Contact your state Senator at MarriageNY.com
Well, actually, what Bruno is doing is absolutely brilliant, IMHO. He's pushing the Democrats here, and his voice is a loud one with the GOP Caucus. If he can push some of the GOP to come out for marriage equality, he can push the GOP in NY out from irrelevance, something he has always been committed to doing, and also he can push the Democrats to put up or shut up on gay rights. He can get the GOP behind marriage, if anyone can. Now, he can also expose the Democrat Party and its members in the New York Legislature, and nationally, for what they are: spineless mealymouths who praise gay rights when it is convenient, and pay lip service when it is convenient, but who couldn't care less about gays.
Never underestimate the power of a much loved or much hated former elected official to change current politics. The much loved ones normally have friends still in office, and normally friends re-evaluate their personal opinions based on what other friends think. The much hated ones piss off of the people that hated them by changing a stance and make them think. Either way, we will never know the entire impact, but this is a sign that times are definitely changing for the better in terms of gay/lesbian rights.