New York State: Spitzer's bold support of gay unions

Spitzer's bold support of gay unions
BY JULIET CHUNG
Newsday Staff Writer
October 8, 2006

Attorney General Eliot Spitzer has reiterated that he would push to legalize gay marriage, setting the stage for what could be a battle with state legislators.

The overwhelming front-runner in New York's gubernatorial race, Spitzer on Thursday told a gathering of the state's major gay rights group that every New Yorker should be free to marry the person of their choice, regardless of their gender.

"This is not about forcing any religion to perform or recognize gay marriage. It's simply about permitting gay and lesbian couples the right to live in stable, long-term married relationships," Spitzer said, according to a transcript of his remarks to the Empire State Pride Agenda.

He added that public policy should be based upon the principles of equality and opportunity for all - the themes he said unified all civil rights movements.

"We will not ask if [legalizing gay marriage is] hard or easy. We will simply ask whether it's right or wrong," Spitzer said.

The candidate's most recent statement of support for gay marriage has been characterized as the boldest stance a prominent Democrat has taken to date.

But whether Spitzer will be able to deliver on his campaign vow if he is elected governor remains to be seen.

Though the Assembly has signaled its support of gay marriage, similar sentiment would be more difficult to come by in the Senate, where the majority Republicans as well as some Democrats oppose it.

Senate Majority Leader Joseph Bruno (R-Brunswick) could not be reached for comment yesterday.

Spitzer's opponent, Republican John Faso, who is far behind in the polls, has repeatedly expressed opposition to single-sex marriage.

And Spitzer's top priorities remain providing immediate property tax relief, improving New York's business climate and reforming the government, Spitzer spokeswoman Christine Anderson said yesterday.

She added that, if elected, Spitzer would draft and propose legislation that would legalize gay marriage.

"We haven't laid out a timeline. It would be presumptuous because he's not yet elected," she said. But "it's something he feels strongly about and it's something he would like to get to."

Representatives of Empire State Pride Agenda could not be reached for comment yesterday.

The issue of single-sex marriage in New York came to the fore when the mayor of New Paltz married several gay and lesbian couples in 2004. This summer, the state Court of Appeals said state law does not permit single-sex marriage.

Copyright 2006 Newsday Inc.


Attoney General Spitzer Vows to Push for Gay Marriage in New York