NY Senate bans Same-Sex Marriage TODAY

[kempsternyc]

So the couple was really not  a couple, just getting married for citezenship?   

Yep. You got it. Marriages have occured just to obtain citizenship. Many times. And with money exchanging hands. This is exactly why I laugh when people talk about the "Sanctity" of marriage. Marriage has traditionally always about economics. The last 100 years it changed into this fantasy of love. A fantasy I want to be a part of.

[C-J]

JoeyC - you are correct.  That couple was clearly getting married for citzenship yet the person processing their license didn't think it was the least bit abnormal that the bride and groom could not communicate with one another yet I can't legally marry my partner of seven years in this State...

[lanseaux]

If you can, tune into the Brian Lehrer show right now (10-noon) online or on the radio (93.9).  His leading segment is about the vote yesterday. 

State Senator Joseph Addabbo, Jr. voted no on the gay marriage bill in Albany. The Queens Democrat explains his vote

He will have to face callers (and Brian Lehrer's questioning) to explain his vote.

http://www.wnyc.org/shows/bl/episodes/2009/12/04

[JoeyC]

JoeyC - you are correct.  That couple was clearly getting married for citizenship yet the person processing their license didn't think it was the least bit abnormal that the bride and groom could not communicate with one another yet I can't legally marry my partner of seven years in this State...

I think you and your partner have every right to be together, but sorry, I don't consider two men getting  together a marriage.     The illegal alien thing is wrong.   Very wrong, especially since immigration is way out of hand since 1980's.  That doesn't mean  men should be marrying men. I'm not even religious and I can't comprehend it. 

[C-J]

JoeyC - with all due respect, a legally binding marriage is a contract and not a religious even.  That is what I'm interested in.  I'm not interested in having a wedding, getting lots of presents or people fawning attention all over us (which is exactly the reason we didn't tell our friends we got legally married in CT until two months after the fact).  What I want is the legal rights that you share with your wife (if you are married), not having to pay an exorbitant amount to in taxes to carry him on my health insurance and to have the same basic human rights that comes with a marital contract that is taken for granted so often by everyone - is that too much to ask?

[JLCC03]

It amazed me when one NY Democratic senator said New Yorkers didn't care about gay marriage because of its bad economy.  WTF??

Wouldn't having a slew of same-sex marriages in NY state BOOST the economy?  Imagine all the hotels, catering, florists, salons, B&Bs, printers, DJs, wedding bands and gift stores that would have gotten a much-needed financial shot in the arm.  We're not stupid, Senator.  It wasn't about economics, at all.

It's about fear of change.

We don't want the religious part of marriage (with 50% of marriages ending in divorce those church bells don't seem to guarantee success for a couple anyway), but the legal FEDERAL rights that come with it are crucial.  My partner is not from the USA.  We've been together 7 years here in Astoria.  If we were, say, to get married tomorrow in CT, it wouldn't mean ANYTHING regarding her potential citizenship.  Zilch.  We asked an attorney.  He said "your union means nothing on the federal level."  When I added my partner to my health benefits, the Human Resources woman said "Don't forget -- they'll tax you big time on this as an INCOME.  Are you sure you want to add her to your benefits?" 

It's so unfair and must change.  Let's not get so hung up on the "marriage" word and start fighting on a federal level.  The states won't do much for us anyway. 

Keep up the good fight. 

[C-J]

It amazed me when one NY Democratic senator said New Yorkers didn't care about gay marriage because of its bad economy.  WTF??

Wouldn't having a slew of same-sex marriages in NY state BOOST the economy?  Imagine all the hotels, catering, florists, salons, B&Bs, printers, DJs, wedding bands and gift stores that would have gotten a much-needed financial shot in the arm.  We're not stupid, Senator.  It wasn't about economics, at all.

You are so right about this.  My colleague's family owns several catering facilities in Connecticut and he was telling me how much their business has increased in the year that gay marriage has been legal up there. 

[holyfrjole]

I read that Massachusetts makes about $37 million a year from gay marriages performed there. This could very well have been a much-needed economic shot in the arm for NYS, as well as an boost for business that find people downsizing their hetero weddings in this economy.

[JoeyC]

JoeyC - with all due respect, a legally binding marriage is a contract and not a religious even.  That is what I'm interested in.  I'm not interested in having a wedding, getting lots of presents or people fawning attention all over us (which is exactly the reason we didn't tell our friends we got legally married in CT until two months after the fact).  What I want is the legal rights that you share with your wife (if you are married), not having to pay an exorbitant amount to in taxes to carry him on my health insurance and to have the same basic human rights that comes with a marital contract that is taken for granted so often by everyone - is that too much to ask?

I'm not religous,  and I say it is wrong to consider it marriage, civil or church, synogouge or what ever wise.   I am married,  a few years now (It''s my first! :-D)       

As fr health insurance and medical, I strongly believe that a gay couple should be allowed to share those in same way a married couple would.   

On marriage, it's a man and a woman. Not a man and a man, two women and  a man, or anything else.

[JoeyC]

I also am  even more against Rodell Vereen and Sugar being married.   Way more than I'm agaisnt Gay marriage.  Seriously.