Hawaii Senate passes civil unions bill

(Honolulu) The Hawaii Senate approved same-sex civil unions Friday, potentially setting up the measure for final passage as soon as next week.

The Senate passed the bill on an 18-7 vote, moving it to the House and signaling that the Senate’s Democratic majority has enough votes to override a possible veto …

NY Senate not expected to vote on gay marriage

(Albany, NY) After weeks of uncertainty and pleas by Gov. David Paterson, New York’s Senate isn’t expected to take up a bill that would legalize same-sex marriage.

Speaking after the Democratic majority met behind closed doors, Sen. Neil Breslin of Albany County says flatly there won’t be a vote on the …

Two Anti-Gay Marriage Dems Cut Deal With Republicans to shift NY Senate to GOP control

ALBANY, N.Y. — Republicans and two dissident Democrats took control of New York’s Senate on Monday after the two New York City renegades voted with the GOP to throw the fledgling Democratic majority out of power.

The decision by senators Pedro Espada Jr. of the Bronx and Hiram Monserrate of Queens to join the coalition gave Republicans a 32-30 voting edge on hastily introduced measures that changed the leadership structure. Neither Espada nor Monserrate changed party affiliation.

Democrats held the Senate for barely five months after being out of power for four decades.

Shortly after the coup, Republicans named Espada temporary president of the Senate and Republican Dean Skelos of Nassau County vice president and majority leader. Skelos was majority leader in 2008.

Those are the most powerful positions in the chamber. With them, the bipartisan coalition can direct legislation and reassign committee and leadership posts.

Democrats tried to leave the chamber, even turning off the lights briefly, and are expected to challenge Monday’s action in court.

The coup throws into doubt the movement to legalize same-sex marriage, one of the major policy issues still pending for the last two weeks of the regular session. Although passed in the Democrat-led Assembly, it is stalled in the Senate. Several Republicans and Sen. Ruben Diaz, a Bronx Democrat oppose the measure.

See Two Anti-Gay Marriage Dems Cut Deal With Republicans

* Tags = gay men gay news lesbian news transgender bisexual