With the governor's active support, and strong backing in the polls, the second third most populous state in the country may be poised to make history. The range of support is impressive:
More than 700 religious leaders, both lay and clerical, signed a petition in support of a bill legalizing same-sex marriage in New York State. The signers come from a variety of religious traditions, although the list appears to be dominated by mainline Protestants, The Albany (N.Y.) Times-Union reported.
The polling last month shows heavy public support (pdf) of 56 – 38 percent in favor of legalizing marriage for gay couples, with even Republicans now evenly split, 45 – 48, and Catholics, as usual, the most supportive of all religious groupings (followed closely by Jewish New Yorkers) by a margin of 59 – 35. 74 percent of the under-30s back legalization. Now we have the old enemy of marriage equality, Bill Clinton, endorsing the measure. Money quote:
For more than a century, our Statue of Liberty has welcomed all kinds of people from all over the world yearning to be free. In the 21st century, I believe New York’s welcome must include marriage equality.
The president who not only signed DOMA but kicked marriage advocates in the balls on the day of the Congressional hearings back in 1996, by declaring his view that DOMA was constitutional. (His constitutional advice on this came, presumably, from Dick Morris.) Anyway, better late than never and his support could help build momentum.
The Dish 