At the Empire State Pride Agenda’s fall fundraising dinner last night in New York, Sarah Jessica Parker was challenged to a game of “SJP’ or ‘S GAY P” by Bravogay Andy Cohen. She answered all the questions — “What does Lady Gaga call her fans?” (little monsters) and “Name all four Golden Girls” (Bea Arthur, Betty While, Rue McClanahan and Estelle Getty) — correctly. Mayor Michael Bloomberg, Gov. David Paterson, City Council Speaker Christine Quinn, and Sens. Charles Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand were there. And Democratic gubernatorial candidate Andrew Cuomo went up on stage and, in between bashing Carl Paladino (the Post‘s headline: “Carl gets gay-trashed”), promised to legalize gay marriage if elected.
“I don’t want to be the governor who just proposes marriage equality,” Cuomo told the black tie crowd. “I don’t want to be the governor who lobbies for marriage equality. I don’t want to be the governor who fights for marriage equality. I want to be the governor who signs the law that makes equality a reality in the state of New York.” Paterson had that same dream, ya know.
It’s not the first time Cuomo has promised what many believe to be nearly impossible with the current state of New York’s Senate. At least not the first time this campaign trail. Cuomo was previously a civil unions-only guy, and has been hurting to drum up support from the state’s gay activists who doubt his commitment to their cause. Well, except for ESPA, which told us in July Cuomo “clearly and directly gave his support for and pledged to work with us to win marriage equality, transgender rights and protections for LGBT students.”
Prove it.
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It’s Easy for Gov Hopeful Andrew Cuomo to Promise Gay Marriage, the World
How Come None of NY’s Gay Groups Are Criticizing Gov Hopeful Andrew Cuomo?
CHIP1218
There is no way he can promise that gay marriage will become law under his term, UNLESS the Democrats gain a seat or two in the Senate this election. If the Democrats keep their majority and prevent one Senator from being able to hold the Senate hostage with a 32-30 current alignment, then the Democrats will be in charge of redistricting. They can finally get rid of the illegal gerrymandered and under populated districts in Upstate New York during redistricting based on the 2010 Census. Then, with an increase of 5 or more Democrats elected to the Senate in 2012, then we would have enough votes to get it passed and signed into law in 2013.
2011 is unrealistic unless the Democrats gain 5 more seats this year in the Senate, so the reality is 2013 could be the year we gain marriage equality in New York.
robert in nyc
We had eight conservadems voting down marriage equality last December. How on earth can we get rid of that many people and replace them with those who support it? It was a huge loss.
Mike in Asheville
Ummm…where, other than in Queerty’s words, does Cuomo use the word “promise”? While I am not a Cuomo supporter, certainly he will be a better supporter of LGBT issues and rights than the horrifically homophobic and bigoted Carl Paladino.
Like most states, New York is under significant financial stress and that will be a new governors first priority. I’m okay with that as it affects every New Yorker.
To suggest that Cuomo is baiting the gay community is pretty lame. There’s no new money awaiting to be pledged in the race, people who support gay rights are already voting for Cuomo, people fervently anti-gay are not. Making his pledge to push (not promise) for marriage equality doesn’t really gain him anything and potentially costs him.
Chip1218 is correct that changes within the New York senate are a prerequisite before New York will approve marriage equality. The challenge for the gay community will strong-arming Cuomo to strong-arm Democratic candidates to replace Repugnantan incumbants. Hold Cuomo’s feet-to-the-fire that he acts with strength and strategy to accomplish what he himself has set out to accomplish.
robert in nyc
Well Crustybastard…..you won’t be able to complain about the democrats any more when you get a republican keeping you permanently in second class when you cast your vote elsewhere assuming you will vote. If and when DADT is repealed and ENDA passed, it won’t be credited to any republicans. They’ve not authored one piece of LGBT legislation that I can think off and never will. I’m done.
Stefan
Three of the eight Democrats who voted no are now gone. Another one, Joseph Addabbo, is considered likely to flip. The Democrat who is most likely to lose his seat to a Republican is Darrel Aubertine, also a no vote. Democrats are likely to pick up some seats actually, especially in Districts 1, 11, 22, and 40. It’s still very possible for gay marriage to be legalized next year, assuming the 4/5 Republicans who were considered for gay marriage vote yes this time (the Scozzfava incident killed all Republican votes at the time).
Also, even if Republicans take back the majority in Nov., Democrats will gain at least 2 or 3 seats as a result of redistricting from population shifts.
Andrew
I am very critical of the Democratic Party at the moment, but as a New Yorker I am indeed proud of our Democrats (Schumer, Gillibrand) who have fought hard for LGBT rights and also believe Cuomo will be a fighter as well.
EQUALITY FOR NEW YORK! (I’ll cry when it happens.)
Bruno
And don’t forget that Jim Alesi and possibly 1 or 2 more Republicans were actually gonna vote for marriage equality if the 8 Dems hadn’t killed it off. I think it’s still doable in the next few years, and it’s imperative Cuomo is elected over Paladinoclass.
L.
I can’t say for sure whether Cuomo will keep, or be able to, the promise of equality.
What I know for *certain*, though, is that Paladino will actively fight against it.
jason
In one year, we’ll be filing Cuomo under “fake gay advocate”.
Cuomo is not gay-friendly. He may be gay-opportunistic but not gay-friendly. A gay-opportunistic person exploits gay people for votes.
A gay-opportunistic person lulls the gay community into thinking that he’s for them, thus effectively anesthetizing the community and reducing activism within it. This effectively creates stagnation on gay rights, with the protagonist (Cuomo) failing to act and the gays continuing to hold out hope. Years later, you’re still at square one.
Carl Paladiono may be a douchebag of the first order but at least we’d be more activist under a Paladino administration.
Markie-Mark
@jason: You just might be correct. Between the “Vote for Cuomo, not the homo” flyer which many attribute to Andrew and the fact that Cuomo, as NY Attorney General, never made any effort to join the Massachusetts DoMA lawsuit, he might be another “fierce advocate” in pre-election words only. I guess we’ll find out. And if it turns out that you are correct, please remind us of your post. Question: Why does the Democratic Party keep nominating these POS?
Jon Miller
He Just Did!!!!!