New York Gov. Elliott Spitzer will propose same-sex legislation in the new session of the legislature according to his press spokesperson.

In his inauguration speech Spitzer did not mention the marriage issue or state's LGBT community raising concerns the governor had abandoned his campaign pledge to promote a marriage bill.

"The governor made a commitment to advancing it this year, and he will do so," Spitzer's communications director, Darren Dopp, told The New York Sun.

Spitzer has been a longtime advocate of gay marriage - despite as Attorney General being obligated to argue against it in the state high court case that upheld the current ban on gay marriage.

In July the New York Court of Appeals, the state's highest court, ruled that same-sex couples do not have a constitutional right to marry. It said that the issue, however, could be taken up by the Legislature.

Immediately after the ruling Spitzer said that he would draft and propose legislation to legalize gay marriage in New York State if elected governor.

But, Dopp on Friday warned that enacting a same-sex marriage bill "isn't a Day One issue." Dopp told the Sun that the first priorities are ethics and economic reform.

"We have to prioritize and that's how we prioritized," Dopp told the Sun. "That's not to say other matters are not important."

Following a move in New Paltz to allow gay marriages in 2004 Spitzer said that under state law the marriages would not be legal but said he believed gay marriage should be legal. He later issued a directive that marriages performed in areas of the world where they are legal must be recognized in New York state.

In October Spitzer was the keynote speaker at Empire State Pride Agenda's annual dinner.

"No New Yorker should be deprived of the right to marry the person of their choice, regardless of gender," he said to thunderous applause.

"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."

A month later he handily defeated Republican John Faso an opponent of same-sex marriage.

Bills coming before the Legislature are usually penned by members of the Assembly or the Senate, but in New York governor's regularly write their own legislation, called Program Bills which are then filed by members.

via 365gay.com

Labels: gay rights, marriage, new york

This entry was posted on Sunday, January 07, 2007 at 9:46 PM. Want to discuss? Leave a comment below.