The Albany gay marriage back room
Gay City News reports that a high-stakes meeting that included the governor, senior Democratic lawmakers and top gay advocates offered “the best sign yet that marriage equality may become a reality by New Year’s Day.”
Says Gay City News:
Shortly after 8 p.m., Paterson, four senior Senate Democrats — Jeffrey Klein of …
Utah Dems demand sanctions after Buttars’ homophobia
(Salt Lake City, Utah) Utah Senate Democrats on Tuesday called for the ouster of a GOP lawmaker from two additional key committee posts because of his anti-gay comments.
In recent comments to a documentary filmmaker, state Sen. Chris Buttars compared gay activists to radical Muslims and said they are “probably the …
Tags: Dems Demand, Documentary Filmmaker, Gay Activists, Gop, Gop Lawmaker, Key Committee, Muslims, Ouster, Salt Lake City, Salt Lake City Utah, Sanctions, Senate Democrats, Utah Senate, Utah UtahFor Supporters of Gay Marriage, a Dashing of Great Expectations
When Senate Majority Leader Malcolm A. Smith spoke to a hotel ballroom in Manhattan packed with hundreds of gay-rights advocates, fund-raisers and politicians on Saturday night, his mere mention of the words “marriage equality” roused the crowd. So when Mr. Smith got to the question on everyone’s mind — whether New York would legalize same-sex marriages — he was greeted with a burst of cheers and applause before he could even finish his thought. “Hold up,” Mr. Smith, a Democrat, said, trying to temper the excitement. “Although we do not have the number of votes at this time needed to pass the marriage equality gender bill this legislative session, we are committed to pursuing its passage.” With that, Mr. Smith sent a clear signal that same-sex marriage in New York did not stand a good chance of becoming law this year. His assessment was a sobering dose of reality for supporters of gay rights, who with their money and support helped Democrats win control of the Senate for the first time since 1965 and hoped to quickly knock down the last remaining obstacle to gay marriage in New York. “It’s very disappointing,” said Matthew Titone, a Democratic assemblyman who represents Staten Island and who listened to Mr. Smith’s speech, which was delivered at a fund-raiser for the Human Rights Campaign, a national gay rights organization. “Even if they don’t have the votes, that’s really no excuse for the leader not to crack the whip, get them in line and remind them that the only reason they’re in the majority is because of the gay community,” Mr. Titone said. Expectations that the Senate would act this year have run high. To secure their victory in November, Senate Democrats relied on hundreds of thousands of dollars in contributions from supporters of gay and lesbian rights across the country. A gay marriage bill, which passed the Assembly in 2007 and has the backing of Gov. David A. Paterson, was among the issues that Democrats were expected to press once they took the majority. Mr. Smith himself said in 2007, “We’re going to make sure that happens in ‘08, when we take over the majority.” See For Supporters of Gay Marriage, a Dashing of Great Expectations
| Published by |
 |
Original source : http://gay_blog.blogspot.com/2009/02/for-supporter…
Burris likely to be seated this week
(Washington) Eager to put the scandal-tainted standoff behind them, Senate Democrats accepted Roland Burris as President-elect Barack Obama’s Senate successor on Monday and said they expect to swear in the new Illinois senator this week.
“He is now the senator-designate from Illinois and, as such, will be accorded all the rights …
Tags: barack obama, Illinois Senator, President Elect, Roland Burris, Scandal, Senate Democrats, StandoffHow Dems blew Burris matter
(Washington) Senate Democrats who thought they could push away Roland Burris misjudged the racial fallout, underestimated public reaction and wound up on shaky legal ground.
The blunders began when the Democrats, including President-elect Barack Obama, insisted they would not seat Burris as the Senate’s only black member because the appointment came …
Tags: Appointment, barack obama, Blunders, Fallout, President Elect, Roland Burris, Senate Democrats, Washington SenateSmith: Deal off with dissident NY Senate Democrats, he wouldn’t subject civil rights issues to negotiation,
ALBANY, N.Y. - Senate Democratic leader Malcolm Smith said Wednesday any deal with three dissidents to secure his party’s hold on the chamber majority is officially off.
Smith said he has the support of the Democratic Caucus and has ceased negotiations with the three, Sen. Ruben Diaz Sr. and Sen.-elect Pedro Espada Jr., both of the Bronx, and Sen. Carl Kruger of Brooklyn. Their support would give the party a 32-30 majority beginning Jan. 1 after decades of Republican control.
“We’re prepared to wait if we have to to come into the majority,” Smith said. He was flanked by senators Neil Breslin of Albany and Liz Krueger of Manhattan when he made the announcement.
Smith said the three renegades were motivated by “personal interests.” He also said he wouldn’t subject civil rights issues to negotiation, referring to a proposal backed by many Democrats to legalize gay marriage. See Smith: Deal off with dissident NY Senate Democrats
Newsday - Long Island,NY,USA
| Published by |
|
Original source : http://gay_blog.blogspot.com/2008/12/smith-deal-of…
