On April 15th, just one day before Governor Paterson announced he would introduce a same-sex marriage bill, I sent an email to my New York State Representatives asking them to support this important legislation.Today I received a response from one of them, New York State Senator, Thomas Duane, a gay rights activist himself. See my original email and his response below. Toward the end of Senator Duane's email, you will find links to important organizations, working hard to help get this legislation passed in New York. Please check them out and support them in whatever way possible.
SUBJECT: Please Support Same-sex Marriage Bill
I am aware that you are an advocate for gay rights and same-sex marriage. I am writing to express my support for you with the hope that you will continue to speak out and support the legislation to legalize same-sex marriage, being introduced by Governor Paterson tomorrow. I also ask that you speak to your colleagues in the State Senate to encourage them to also vote for the upcoming marriage equality bill.
It is very important that all of New Yorkers are equally protected under the law.
In a recent Quinnipiac poll 41% of New Yorkers said they support gay marriage, while another 33% support civil unions. With nearly 75% of all New Yorkers supporting some type of legal protection for same-sex couples, now is the time to deliver what the majority of your constituents support.
I am forever grateful to live in a state which would consider and ultimately pass equal rights protection for all of its citizens. Thank you for your time and consideration.
Senator Duane's Response:
Thank you for taking the time to write to me in support of Governor Paterson’s marriage equality bill, which I’m pleased to tell you I introduced in the State Senate yesterday (Bill # S4401) with 19 co-sponsors.
As you may know, I was the first New York State Legislator to introduce a same-sex marriage bill back in 2001 and have been a vocal and vociferous fighter for its passage ever since. I am passionate about getting the bill passed – and passed this year.
There has been a great deal of media coverage about the Governor’s introduction of a same-sex marriage bill and my role in securing its passage. In case you missed it, I have pasted below a recent op-ed by New York Daily News columnist Errol Louis that is both particularly informative and reflective of my personal conviction on this issue. (Follow the above link to read the editorial)
Your email demonstrates your commitment to ensuring marriage equality in New York State , and I urge you to take additional steps in the coming weeks towards that end. While registration is now closed for Empire State Pride Agenda’s Equality & Justice Day in Albany on April 28, if you visit Empire State Pride Agenda you can sign up for the organization’s email alerts on how you can help in the marriage equality fight. Marriage Equality New York and the Human Rights Campaign are among other key organizations doing considerable organizing throughout the state to pass our marriage equality bill.
Again, thank you for your e-mail and your efforts to secure same-sex civil marriage in New York State.
Sincerely,
New York State Senator Thomas K. Duane
322 Eighth Avenue, Suite 1700
New York, NY 10001
(212) 633-8052
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