New York legalizes gay marriage

[Rick]

I know what a controversial topic this is. I'm hoping we can keep it to a civil discussion. My main concerns are that no one gets offended and Andrew's inbox doesn't get flooded.

http://beta.news.yahoo.com/ny-birthplac ... 22501.html

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NEW YORK (AP) — Champagne corks popped, rainbow flags flapped and crowds embraced and danced in the streets of Manhattan's Greenwich Village as New York became the sixth and largest state in the U.S. to legalize same-sex marriage.

Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed the bill shortly before midnight Friday, almost 42 years to the day that the modern-day gay rights movement was born amid violent encounters between police and gay activists at the Stonewall Inn.

Hundreds who gathered inside and outside the landmark bar erupted in celebration after the Republican-led state Senate cast the decisive vote.

Scott Redstone and his partner of 29 years, Steven Knittweis, hugged. And Redstone popped the question. "I said, 'Will you marry me?' And he said, 'Of course!'"

Queens teacher Eugene Lovendusky, 26, who is gay, said he hopes to marry someday.

"I am spellbound. I'm so exhausted and so proud that the New York state Senate finally stood on the right side of history," he said.

He then repeated a chant he had screamed during a protest at a fundraiser for President Barack Obama the previous night: "I am somebody. I deserve full equality."

Alex Kelston, 26, who works in finance in Manhattan, said he hopped in a cab and rushed to the bar when he heard the news.

"This is the place where the movement started, and it's a way to close the loop and celebrate the full equality of gay people in New York," he said.

The so-called Stonewall riots of June 28, 1969, helped spark the equal rights movement for homosexuals. Gay activists had pinned their hopes on a positive vote this week in New York to help regain momentum in other states in light of recent failed attempts.

Amid Friday's celebration, New York Archbishop Timothy Dolan and bishops around the state released a statement condemning the passage of the law by the Legislature, saying they were "deeply disappointed and troubled."

"Our society must regain what it appears to have lost — a true understanding of the meaning and the place of marriage, as revealed by God, grounded in nature, and respected by America's foundational principles," the statement from the Roman Catholic leader read.

Mayor Michael Bloomberg, who lobbied for the bill, was mid-sentence at a press conference on the city budget when City Council Speaker Christine Quinn interrupted him to announce it had passed.

The room exploded in cheers from other lawmakers and staff, as Quinn — the first gay person to hold the job — embraced her colleagues and smiled, tears welling in her eyes.

"It's hard to describe the feeling of having the law of your state changed to say that you ... are a full member of the state and that your family is as good as any other family," she said.

In a way, the decision will change everything for her and her partner, Quinn said.

"Tomorrow, my family will gather for my niece's college graduation party, and that'll be a totally different day because we'll get to talk about when our wedding will be and what it'll look like, and what dress Jordan, our grand-niece, will wear as the flower girl. And that's a moment I really thought would never come," she said.

"I really can't really describe what this feels like, but it is one of the best feelings I have ever had in my life," she said.

Bloomberg called the vote "a historic triumph for equality and freedom."

He said he would support the Republicans who voted for the measure Friday, and that he believed their actions were consistent with GOP ideals of liberty and freedom.

"The Republicans who stood up today for those principles I think will long be remembered for their courage, foresight and wisdom," said the mayor, a Democrat-turned-Republican-turned-independent. "Ten, 20, 30 years from now, I believe they will look back on this vote as one of the finest and most proud moments in their life."

Bloomberg, a billionaire who had lobbied in Albany for the measure along with Quinn, has the personal resources to help the Republicans withstand any backlash from their own party.

Celebrities also responded, with Lady Gaga posting on Twitter that she "can't stop crying." The pop star has been urging her 11 million followers to call New York senators in support of the bill.

"The revolution is ours to fight for love, justice+equality. Rejoice NY, and propose. We did it!!!" she also posted.

Talk show host Wendy Williams posted to her Twitter followers as well, saying: "Yay for Gay Marriage! NY, it's about time... jersey we're next! How you doin?"

Meanwhile, the city's official tourism marking agency said the bill was "good news" for the $31 billion industry that it represents.

"Now, more gay couples — and their families and friends — will have an opportunity to celebrate their special day here," said George Fertitta, the CEO of NYC & Co.

In San Francisco, where a march kicked off the city's pride weekend, participants said they were just hearing about what had happened across the country.

"What happened tonight in New York is great, is wonderful, so long as we pick up and keep moving beyond this because a lot more needs to get done," said 26-year-old Kate Lubeck of San Jose.

Pete Weiss of Oakland said he has a lot of good friends in New York who he thinks will take advantage of the new law.

"You'd think California would have been first, but maybe this will spread and we'll be next," the 42-year-old said.

Legalization of gay marriage comes as New York City celebrates gay pride, culminating in a parade on Sunday.

Michael Musto, a columnist for the Village Voice, an alternative weekly, said the timing of the vote "could not be more fortuitous."

"It's definitely going to be the most exuberant gay pride parade in history," he said.

___

Associated Press Writers Samantha Gross and Cristian Salazar contributed to this report.

[BobbyinTN]

It's incredible news. Glad New York is one of the states leading the way into the 21st Century. Congrats to New York and all the GLBT who are a little closer to equality today.

[steveo777]

Rick, why would anyone get offended? All you did was post some news.

I'm gonna keep the rest of my opinion to myself on this.

[conversationpc]

I dont' agree with the vote. However, government should not be involved in sanctioning marriage for ANYONE, regardless of gender, sexual preference, etc.

[Archetype]

Why are we allowing more people to marry when we should be working on the complete abolition of that archaic and disgusting entity?

[steveo777]

Why are we allowing more people to marry when we should be working on the complete abolition of that archaic and disgusting entity?

Are you talking about gay marriage, or marriage in general?

[Archetype]

Why are we allowing more people to marry when we should be working on the complete abolition of that archaic and disgusting entity?

Are you talking about gay marriage, or marriage in general?

Marriage in general

[steveo777]

Why are we allowing more people to marry when we should be working on the complete abolition of that archaic and disgusting entity?

Are you talking about gay marriage, or marriage in general?

Marriage in general

How can you declare the act of marriage between a couple disgusting?

[Glenn]

Not for it, but really don't care.

[scarab]

now gay people can be as miserable as the rest of us.

not sure if i should congratulate or be sorry for, but at the very least there is equality, and thats what America is all about.
not to mention if will piss off some n bible thumpers, which is always a good thing.

[S2M]

Way to go....congrats. I have no issue with it. However, I do have a problem with the concept of everybody wanting to be equal. Equality isn't guaranteed in life. My neighbor has a Benz, should I be able to get one to be equal?

All these issues that are argued about in the courts: abortion, gay marriage. Does it really matter? And the logic that each side comes up with is just pure garbage. In the case of abortion they want to tell you that no one should legislate what a woman does with her body. Last time I looked, prostitution was illegal, and that is something a woman does with their body. Case closed.

And as far as gays looking to be equal. Why? Why do you need the state to recognize your relationship? Why do you need to be equal with the heteros? Again, if you love another of the same sex...just be happy that you aren't ridiculed, or getting the shit kicked out of you. Don't go looking for a law to be recognized as equal....again, it doesn't really matter to me....I just find it curious.

[Rick]

Way to go....congrats. I have no issue with it. However, I do have a problem with the concept of everybody wanting to be equal. Equality isn't guaranteed in life. My neighbor has a Benz, should I be able to get one to be equal?

All these issues that are argued about in the courts: abortion, gay marriage. Does it really matter? And the logic that each side comes up with is just pure garbage. In the case of abortion they want to tell you that no one should legislate what a woman does with her body. Last time I looked, prostitution was illegal, and that is something a woman does with their body. Case closed.

And as far as gays looking to be equal. Why? Why do you need the state to recognize your relationship? Why do you need to be equal with the heteros? Again, if you love another of the same sex...just be happy that you aren't ridiculed, or getting the shit kicked out of you. Don't go looking for a law to be recognized as equal....again, it doesn't really matter to me....I just find it curious.

You can have a Benz. You just have to do what the Benz owner did to get it. Whether it be working a job that pays well, inherit it or the money to buy it, or win a lottery.

Your stance on abortion/prostitution is a very interesting and thought provoking. Kudos on that one.

The last paragraph kind of speaks for itself. People want to be equal, so they are not made to feel or looked upon as inferior. Nobody likes to feel like that.

[parfait]

Way to go....congrats. I have no issue with it. However, I do have a problem with the concept of everybody wanting to be equal. Equality isn't guaranteed in life. My neighbor has a Benz, should I be able to get one to be equal?

All these issues that are argued about in the courts: abortion, gay marriage. Does it really matter? And the logic that each side comes up with is just pure garbage. In the case of abortion they want to tell you that no one should legislate what a woman does with her body. Last time I looked, prostitution was illegal, and that is something a woman does with their body. Case closed.

And as far as gays looking to be equal. Why? Why do you need the state to recognize your relationship? Why do you need to be equal with the heteros? Again, if you love another of the same sex...just be happy that you aren't ridiculed, or getting the shit kicked out of you. Don't go looking for a law to be recognized as equal....again, it doesn't really matter to me....I just find it curious.

Prostitution should be legal. If it's consenting, then the government should butt the fuck out. Same with abortition. Whatever any child molesting priest thinks about it is irrelevant. It's a woman's body. She decides what to do with it.

Around 1/10 is gay. Of course they should be ably to marry. The church should be able to say no to a gay marriage in their church though (ass bandits should be condemned to death according to the bible.)

[S2M]

Way to go....congrats. I have no issue with it. However, I do have a problem with the concept of everybody wanting to be equal. Equality isn't guaranteed in life. My neighbor has a Benz, should I be able to get one to be equal?

All these issues that are argued about in the courts: abortion, gay marriage. Does it really matter? And the logic that each side comes up with is just pure garbage. In the case of abortion they want to tell you that no one should legislate what a woman does with her body. Last time I looked, prostitution was illegal, and that is something a woman does with their body. Case closed.

And as far as gays looking to be equal. Why? Why do you need the state to recognize your relationship? Why do you need to be equal with the heteros? Again, if you love another of the same sex...just be happy that you aren't ridiculed, or getting the shit kicked out of you. Don't go looking for a law to be recognized as equal....again, it doesn't really matter to me....I just find it curious.

Prostitution should be legal. If it's consenting, then the government should butt the fuck out. Same with abortition. Whatever any child molesting priest thinks about it is irrelevant. It's a woman's body. She decides what to do with it.

Around 1/10 is gay. Of course they should be ably to marry. The church should be able to say no to a gay marriage in their church though (ass bandits should be condemned to death according to the bible.)

Should we be concerned?

[parfait]

Way to go....congrats. I have no issue with it. However, I do have a problem with the concept of everybody wanting to be equal. Equality isn't guaranteed in life. My neighbor has a Benz, should I be able to get one to be equal?

All these issues that are argued about in the courts: abortion, gay marriage. Does it really matter? And the logic that each side comes up with is just pure garbage. In the case of abortion they want to tell you that no one should legislate what a woman does with her body. Last time I looked, prostitution was illegal, and that is something a woman does with their body. Case closed.

And as far as gays looking to be equal. Why? Why do you need the state to recognize your relationship? Why do you need to be equal with the heteros? Again, if you love another of the same sex...just be happy that you aren't ridiculed, or getting the shit kicked out of you. Don't go looking for a law to be recognized as equal....again, it doesn't really matter to me....I just find it curious.

Prostitution should be legal. If it's consenting, then the government should butt the fuck out. Same with abortition. Whatever any child molesting priest thinks about it is irrelevant. It's a woman's body. She decides what to do with it.

Around 1/10 is gay. Of course they should be ably to marry. The church should be able to say no to a gay marriage in their church though (ass bandits should be condemned to death according to the bible.)

Should we be concerned?

Not everyone. Just you.

[Rick]

Way to go....congrats. I have no issue with it. However, I do have a problem with the concept of everybody wanting to be equal. Equality isn't guaranteed in life. My neighbor has a Benz, should I be able to get one to be equal?

All these issues that are argued about in the courts: abortion, gay marriage. Does it really matter? And the logic that each side comes up with is just pure garbage. In the case of abortion they want to tell you that no one should legislate what a woman does with her body. Last time I looked, prostitution was illegal, and that is something a woman does with their body. Case closed.

And as far as gays looking to be equal. Why? Why do you need the state to recognize your relationship? Why do you need to be equal with the heteros? Again, if you love another of the same sex...just be happy that you aren't ridiculed, or getting the shit kicked out of you. Don't go looking for a law to be recognized as equal....again, it doesn't really matter to me....I just find it curious.

Prostitution should be legal. If it's consenting, then the government should butt the fuck out. Same with abortition. Whatever any child molesting priest thinks about it is irrelevant. It's a woman's body. She decides what to do with it.

Around 1/10 is gay. Of course they should be ably to marry. The church should be able to say no to a gay marriage in their church though (ass bandits should be condemned to death according to the bible.)

Should we be concerned?

Not everyone. Just you.

LOL You shouldn't have posted yourself in your underwear S2M.

[S2M]

Way to go....congrats. I have no issue with it. However, I do have a problem with the concept of everybody wanting to be equal. Equality isn't guaranteed in life. My neighbor has a Benz, should I be able to get one to be equal?

All these issues that are argued about in the courts: abortion, gay marriage. Does it really matter? And the logic that each side comes up with is just pure garbage. In the case of abortion they want to tell you that no one should legislate what a woman does with her body. Last time I looked, prostitution was illegal, and that is something a woman does with their body. Case closed.

And as far as gays looking to be equal. Why? Why do you need the state to recognize your relationship? Why do you need to be equal with the heteros? Again, if you love another of the same sex...just be happy that you aren't ridiculed, or getting the shit kicked out of you. Don't go looking for a law to be recognized as equal....again, it doesn't really matter to me....I just find it curious.

Prostitution should be legal. If it's consenting, then the government should butt the fuck out. Same with abortition. Whatever any child molesting priest thinks about it is irrelevant. It's a woman's body. She decides what to do with it.

Around 1/10 is gay. Of course they should be ably to marry. The church should be able to say no to a gay marriage in their church though (ass bandits should be condemned to death according to the bible.)

Should we be concerned?

Not everyone. Just you.

LOL You shouldn't have posted yourself in your underwear S2M.

I was 18....gimme a break. I don't have the hangups that most people have. The other fucking guys were lighting their farts on fire, FFS....

[Rick]

Way to go....congrats. I have no issue with it. However, I do have a problem with the concept of everybody wanting to be equal. Equality isn't guaranteed in life. My neighbor has a Benz, should I be able to get one to be equal?

All these issues that are argued about in the courts: abortion, gay marriage. Does it really matter? And the logic that each side comes up with is just pure garbage. In the case of abortion they want to tell you that no one should legislate what a woman does with her body. Last time I looked, prostitution was illegal, and that is something a woman does with their body. Case closed.

And as far as gays looking to be equal. Why? Why do you need the state to recognize your relationship? Why do you need to be equal with the heteros? Again, if you love another of the same sex...just be happy that you aren't ridiculed, or getting the shit kicked out of you. Don't go looking for a law to be recognized as equal....again, it doesn't really matter to me....I just find it curious.

Prostitution should be legal. If it's consenting, then the government should butt the fuck out. Same with abortition. Whatever any child molesting priest thinks about it is irrelevant. It's a woman's body. She decides what to do with it.

Around 1/10 is gay. Of course they should be ably to marry. The church should be able to say no to a gay marriage in their church though (ass bandits should be condemned to death according to the bible.)

Should we be concerned?

Not everyone. Just you.

LOL You shouldn't have posted yourself in your underwear S2M.

I was 18....gimme a break. I don't the hangups that most people have. The other fucking guys were ligthing their farts on fire, FFS....

LMAO!!

[Babyblue]

Way to go....congrats. I have no issue with it. However, I do have a problem with the concept of everybody wanting to be equal. Equality isn't guaranteed in life. My neighbor has a Benz, should I be able to get one to be equal?

All these issues that are argued about in the courts: abortion, gay marriage. Does it really matter? And the logic that each side comes up with is just pure garbage. In the case of abortion they want to tell you that no one should legislate what a woman does with her body. Last time I looked, prostitution was illegal, and that is something a woman does with their body. Case closed.

And as far as gays looking to be equal. Why? Why do you need the state to recognize your relationship? Why do you need to be equal with the heteros? Again, if you love another of the same sex...just be happy that you aren't ridiculed, or getting the shit kicked out of you. Don't go looking for a law to be recognized as equal....again, it doesn't really matter to me....I just find it curious.

Prostitution should be legal. If it's consenting, then the government should butt the fuck out. Same with abortition. Whatever any child molesting priest thinks about it is irrelevant. It's a woman's body. She decides what to do with it.

Around 1/10 is gay. Of course they should be ably to marry. The church should be able to say no to a gay marriage in their church though (ass bandits should be condemned to death according to the bible.)

Should we be concerned?

Not everyone. Just you.

[Angel]

I personally feel that homosexuality is wrong, I don't feel that same sex should be able to marry and/or have/raise children.

Now, having said that, I also don't think I have the right to inflict my beliefs on others-just as I don't think others have the right to inflict their beliefs on me, therefore, I hope this increases the degree of happiness in the lives of many.