David Paterson's Gay Marriage Gamble

categories: Marriage Equality, State LGBT News

Published November 09, 2009 @ 06:54AM PT

Gov. David Paterson With his approval ratings stuck somewhere between Dick Cheney and botulism, New York Governor David Paterson is staking it all on the line with a push this week to have the New York State Senate address the issue of marriage equality. Paterson has placed a gay marriage vote before state senators, scheduled for tomorrow, that could make New York the next state to recognize marriage equality.

Paterson himself said that he was inspired by the Maine vote last week, which rescinded marriage rights for same-sex couples in that state.

"I think that the public referendum in Maine should inspire us that there's more work to do, more persuasion to be made, more understanding to be reached, and more sensitivity to be displayed, and those of us who have been a catalyst for marriage equality have to regroup and work harder," Paterson said, in an interview with Corey Johnson and Andy Towle.

Negotiations are expected to go into the wee hours of the night tonight as Democratic lawmakers decide whether to push for a vote or not. Advocates estimate that they have 25 votes to support marriage equality. They need about six more to ensure that the marriage equality bill can pass.

Oh, and one great thing about New York: they don't have a referendum process, meaning that anti-gay activists and the Catholic Church can't put the question of civil rights for gays and lesbians on a ballot. All the more reason why tomorrow's vote will be historic if it happens.

Gov. Paterson launched his re-election campaign last week despite approval ratings that show him facing a tough campaign path ahead. It's pretty clear that he's prioritizing marriage equality as a chance to help bolster his approval numbers, and jump start his re-election campaign. Can it work?

Perhaps, at least according to some gay rights advocates.

"The stakes are much higher now, following Maine, and it would be an enormous boost to the movement to prevail in New York," gay rights activist Matt Foreman told NBC news in New York.

Nationally, it would also help bolster a marriage equality movement that has seen two bruising defeats at the ballot box in the past year -- Maine and California. If Paterson can get this vote done, even if it's razor thin, he will emerge as a national hero for LGBT rights.

What Nancy Pelosi did for health care this weekend, Paterson will have done for advocates of same-sex marriage. And having that on his resume can only help him in his re-election fight.

(Photo courtesy of www.drum.army.mil)

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Comments (6)

If Paterson is successful, he'll be one of the heroes when history is written. Deval Patrick, Governor of Massachusetts, will also be there. He put his office on the line to keep an ant-marriage ballot initiative from going to the voters five years ago. We've seen how unlucky we've been at the ballot box and yes, even Massachusetts could have done what California and Maine did. This politicians are leaders, doing the persuading rather than having to be persuaded. Hats off to them.

Posted by Ken Harvey on 11/09/2009 @ 09:10AM PT
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Even if he is only doing it to make himself look better, you still have to applaud his bravery. This type of issue is highly sensitive, and it could wind up blowing up in his face.

Hopefully it will pass, if it does it will change a lot.

Posted by Paul Hockhousen on 11/09/2009 @ 10:11AM PT
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I'm so happy to see this kind of courage.

Posted by Pamylle Greinke on 11/09/2009 @ 10:54AM PT
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David Paterson is a good governor for his support of LGBT rights despite his approval ratings. Same-sex marriage is a very important right that must never be put on a ballot. Most hopefully, the New York legislature will pass a bill which would recognize same-sex marriage there. Since New York is known for having more moderate Republicans, hopefully Paterson will get those votes. It's unfortunate that intolerance in Maine won, but LGBT rights is superior to oppression.

Posted by Edwin Bonilla on 11/09/2009 @ 02:58PM PT
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I applaud Patterson for his willingness to take on the issue. If you want to support him, tell the NYS Senate to vote Yes on Gay Marriage: http://gayrights.change.org/actions/view/say_yes_to_same-sex_marriage_in_new_york

Posted by Robert Cavooris on 11/09/2009 @ 04:27PM PT
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I pray this passes--and if it does, the fact that there is not a referendum process makes it even better. Civil rights should never be voted on.

Posted by Ioan Lightoller on 11/09/2009 @ 10:25PM PT
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Michael is the Communications Director for the Human Rights Program at Harvard Law School, and previously was Communications Director for Pax Christi USA, a progressive Catholic human rights organization.