ESPA to push Spitzer on Marriage

Gay rights groups to push Spitzer on legalizing same-sex marriage
By DAN WIESSNER

GANNETT NEWS SERVICE
(Original publication: November 12, 2006)
ALBANY - Gay rights groups across the state will push Gov.-elect Eliot Spitzer to propose legalizing same-sex marriages, citing his win this week as a "tremendous victory in the battle for gay rights."
"The question with New York has never been if we'll have equality, it's always been a matter of when," said Alan Van Capelle, executive director of the Empire State Pride Agenda, a statewide gay rights advocacy group. "With the election of Eliot Spitzer, the question now is how soon."
Spitzer, the current state attorney general, voiced support for same-sex marriage throughout his campaign. At a Pride Agenda dinner in October, he pledged to write marriage-equality legislation and present it to the Legislature. According to Van Capelle, gay rights groups believe Spitzer will act early in his administration.
"Eliot (Spitzer) has said that on Day 1, everything changes, and among the changes Albany will be experiencing is marriage equality," Van Capelle said. "Our job is to make sure that he delivers on his promises."
A Spitzer spokeswoman didn't return phone calls seeking comment about his plans to push for gay marriage - a touchy political issue.
"I know he believes that we're an important constituency, and not just from a political point of view, but from a personal point of view, our community is important to him," said state Sen. Thomas Duane, D-Manhattan, who became the first openly gay member of the Senate when he was elected in 1998. "We should feel very optimistic about that."
In 2002, Duane pushed for the passage of the Sexual Orientation Non-Discrimination Act, or SONDA, which protects the rights of gays, lesbians and bisexuals in employment, education, housing and other areas.
In July, the state's highest court rejected the claim that banning gay marriage violates the state Constitution. In its decision, the court said the issue is one for the Legislature, not the judiciary, to decide. This has triggered a push for legislation in the early days of Spitzer's administration.
While gay marriage has broad support in the Democratic-run Assembly, it faces strong opposition in the GOP-led Senate. Majority Leader Joseph Bruno, R-Brunswick, has said he opposes it. He couldn't be reached for comment Thursday or Friday.
Despite the optimism of gay rights groups over the election of gay marriage supporters to the state's top posts, national sentiment seems to be moving the other way. Nine states had same-sex marriage bans on the ballot Tuesday, and eight passed the measures. (Arizona was the exception.)
Still, according to Duane, the fact that so much attention is being paid to the issue is a victory in itself.
"Every time the issue is discussed, it's a win for the gay community because the poll numbers of Americans supporting same-sex marriage increases," he said.
Massachusetts is the only state where gay marriage is legal, but it is considering putting the issue before voters in 2008.
Among New York's other neighbors, civil unions have been sanctioned in Vermont, Connecticut and New Jersey. Pennsylvania and Ohio have both banned same-sex marriages.