Monday, May 11, 2009

New York State Assembly prepares for marriage vote

As the state Assembly prepares for a possible vote on Tuesday on a bill that would extend marriage to same-sex couples, supporters continue to call upon lawmakers in Albany to follow legislators in neighboring states who have passed similar legislation in recent days and weeks.

The District of Columbia Council voted 12-1 earlier this week to recognize marriages of same-sex couples. The New Hampshire House of Representatives passed a bill that would allow gay and lesbian Granite Staters to marry. And Maine Gov. John Baldacci signed legislation on the same day that extends nuptials to same-sex couples.

State Sen. Tom Duane [D-Chelsea] described Baldacci’s decision to sign his state’s marriage bill into law as "another hurdle cleared in the fight for civil and equal rights for all lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people." Duane added he feels his colleagues in Albany should follow suit.

"The momentum is here and I vow that civil marriage will become a reality in New York-and that it will happen soon," he said.

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