"Cuomo strategy shepherds gay marriage into N.Y.; Governor was able to corral unlikely assembly of forces" by Michael Barbaro, New York Times / June 26, 2011
NEW YORK — In the 35th-floor conference room of a Manhattan high-rise, two of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo’s most trusted advisers held a secret meeting a few weeks ago with a group of super-rich Republican donors.
Over tuna and turkey sandwiches, the advisers explained that New York’s Democratic governor was determined to legalize same-sex marriage and would deliver every possible Senate vote from his own party.
Would the donors win over the deciding Senate Republicans? It sounded improbable: top Republican moneymen helping a Democratic rival with one of his biggest legislative goals.
But the donors in the room — the billionaire Paul Singer, whose son is gay, joined by the hedge fund managers Cliff Asness and Dan Loeb — had the influence and the money to insulate nervous senators from conservative backlash if they supported the marriage measure. And they were inclined to see the issue as one of personal freedom, consistent with their more libertarian views.
I've reached that point; I think the state should stay out of it entirely.
Within days, the wealthy Republicans sent back word: They were on board. Each of them cut six-figure checks to the lobbying campaign that eventually totaled more than $1 million....
The story of how same-sex marriage became legal in New York is about shifting public sentiment and individual lawmakers moved by emotional appeals from gay couples.
But, behind the scenes, it was really about a Republican Party reckoning with a profoundly changing power dynamic, where Wall Street donors and gay-rights advocates demonstrated more might and muscle than a Roman Catholic hierarchy and an ineffective opposition....
Well, the Catholics; how can they really complain given all the pooper-pumping?
The advocates had contributed to the defeat of same-sex marriage in 2009, he told them, with their rampant infighting and disorganization. This time around, the lobbying had to be done the Cuomo way: with meticulous, top-down coordination. “I will be personally involved,’’ he said.
The gay-rights advocates agreed, or at least acquiesced. Five groups merged, hired a prominent lobbying firm with ties to Cuomo’s office, and gave themselves a new name: New Yorkers United for Marriage.
Cuomo’s approach was a turning point not just for the marriage movement, but also for his long and fraught relationship with the gay community....
Over time, however, championing same-sex marriage had become personal for Cuomo. He campaigned on the issue in the race for governor last year, and after his election, he was staggered by the number of gay couples who sought him out at restaurants and on the street, prodding him, sometimes tearfully, to deliver on his word.
During his first few months in office, Cuomo had achieved what seemed like modern-day miracles by the standards of Albany — an austere on-time budget and a deal to cap property taxes. But, as Cuomo explained by phone to his father a few weeks ago, he did not want those accomplishments to define his first year in office.
“They are operational,’’ he told his father. Passing same-sex marriage, by contrast, “is at the heart of leadership and progressive government.’’
Not ending the wars or bank looting.
But Democrats are better than Republic.... wait a minute.
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Related:
"New York’s gay-marriage law lauded
A Boston-based gay-rights group that filed successful lawsuits in Massachusetts and Connecticut to bring gay marriage to those states is praising the passage of a gay-marriage bill in New York. Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders said yesterday that the group applauded officials in New York for voting to approve the bill and Governor Andrew Cuomo for signing it. Gary Buseck, acting executive director of GLAD, said New York sent a “powerful message of liberty and equality for all.’’ New York became the sixth state to legalize same-sex marriage since Massachusetts led the way, under court order, in 2004 (AP)."
"Accident cancels gay-pride parade
ANCHORAGE— A gay-pride parade in Anchorage was canceled yesterday after a person was struck and killed by a vehicle in the celebration. The victim was not immediately identified. Police said a convertible carrying parade grand marshal Doug Frank lurched forward and ran over a woman. Investigators said the driver apparently had trouble with the car’s accelerator."
Also see: New England Methodist clergy back gay marriage
The Whole World is Gay
You would sure think so reading the Boston Globe. The only ones making more of an appearance in the agenda-pusher are the Islamic terrorists.
Next Day Update:
"At N.Y. pride parade, joy over gay marriage law; Cuomo cheered for keeping election pledge" by John Leland, New York Times / June 27, 2011
NEW YORK — The success in New York, although clearly giving an inspirational jolt to gay-rights advocates, will likely prove difficult to replicate. Twenty-nine states have constitutional bans on same-sex marriage, and 12 others have laws against it. And many of those states where support for same-sex marriage is high have already acted on the issue.
Officials at several gay-rights organizations said they would seek to move quickly in Maryland, where legislation to legalize same-sex marriage was shelved in February by Democratic leaders concerned that it lacked the support to pass. Advocates also said they hoped to resuscitate a marriage bill that died in Rhode Island’s Legislature this year.
Gay-rights groups are likely to seek ballot initiatives next year to overturn bans on same-sex marriage in Maine, where the Legislature approved a same-sex marriage law in 2009 that voters almost immediately turned back, and in Oregon.
Advocates hope, in the longer term, to win the legalization of same-sex marriage in Delaware and New Jersey, two states where Democrats control the legislatures, as well as in Pennsylvania....
I wouldn't count on any Democrats after this whole collective-bargaining capitulation.
In Chicago, organizers of that city’s gay-pride parade scrambled to repair dozens of floats after someone slashed their tires overnight at a garage on the South Side. Police said it was too early to determine whether the damage was a hate crime.
Looks like an INSIDE JOB to ME!
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Related: Activists in Mass. revel at N.Y. gay marriage law
Gay Catholics find community despite hurtful words from Rome
I rarely go anymore. Do my preaching and praying here now.
