• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Advertise
  • Contact Us
  • About Towleroad
  • Towleroad on Social Media
  • Privacy Policy

Towleroad Gay News

Gay Blog Towleroad: More than gay news | gay men

  • Travel
  • Sports
  • Law/Justice
  • Celebrities
  • Republicans
  • Madonna
  • Books
  • Men
  • Trans Rights
  • Royals
  • Monkeypox
  • Sophia Bush’s girlfriend ‘proud’ the actress has opened up about coming out as queer
  • Mel B declares she’ll ‘always be open’ when it comes to her sexuality!
  • Megan Thee Stallion being sued for ‘forcing cameraman watch her having lesbian sex!’

NY Gov David Paterson Introduces Same-Sex Marriage Legislation

Andy Towle April 16, 2009

Paterson

Today, New York Governor David Paterson re-introduced legislation that would legalize same-sex marriage in the state in front of a crowded room of reporters and marriage equality advocates. Paterson was flanked by dozens of New York politicians and LGBT rights leaders.

Highlights of Paterson's remarks, AFTER THE JUMP…

Paterson Paterson placed the marriage equality battle in the context of the civil rights movements of the 20th century and made note of the recent victories in Iowa and Vermont, shrugging off California and the passage of Proposition 8.

Said Paterson: "Anyone that has ever experienced degradation or intolerance wouldunderstand the solemn duty and how important it actually is. Anyonethat's ever experienced antisemitism or racism, any New Yorker who isan immigrant, who has experienced discrimination, any woman who hasfaced harassment at work or suffered violence at home, any disabledperson who has been mocked or marginalized, understands what we'retalking about here. We have all known the wrath of discrimination. Wehave all felt the pain and the insult of hatred. This is why we are allstanding here today. We stand to tell the world that we want equalityfor everyone. We stand to tell the world that we want marriage equalityin New York State."

Bberg Following Paterson was New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, whose speech was notable in that he halted it for a minute and a half after an audio device belonging to the Examiner's Michael Harris, who is in a wheelchair, began going off. Bloomberg refused to continue until the device was found and silenced.

Joining Paterson to speak were Assemblyman Daniel O'Donnell, state senator Thomas Duane, New York City Council Speaker Christine Quinn, and  Empire State Pride Agenda Executive Director Alan van Capelle.

Senate Majority Leader Malcolm Smith was not present. Paterson said Smith returned from out-of-town yesterday, and did not know about today's press conference but is a "strong supporter" of the legislation.

Paterson added: "Rights should not be stifled by fear…Silence should not be a response to injustice. If we take no action, we will surely lose. Maybe we've already lost."

I'll be adding more video as I get it processed. Unfortunately, I had some technical difficulties which made everything take just a little bit longer, so, sorry for not having this up sooner.

Highlights of Paterson's remarks, AFTER THE JUMP…

Topics: LGBT Rights, News, World More Posts About: David Paterson, David Paterson, gay marriage, New York, New York, News

Related Posts
  • New York begins offering gender neutral driver’s licenses
  • Former Roommate Indicted For Murder Of Florida LGBTQ Activist Jorge Diaz-Johnston, One of the Public Faces In State Fight For Marriage Equality
  • Russia Blocks Facebook, Accusing it of Restricting Access to Russian Media;
  • Mel B declares she’ll ‘always be open’ when it comes to her sexuality!

    Mel B declares she’ll ‘always be open’ when it comes to her sexuality!

    Published by BANG Showbiz English Mel B will “always be open” when it comes to her sexuality. The Spice Girls singer, 48, who reunited with her bandmates including the group's ex-singer Victoria Beckham for the fashion …Read More »
  • Megan Thee Stallion being sued for ‘forcing cameraman watch her having lesbian sex!’

    Megan Thee Stallion being sued for ‘forcing cameraman watch her having lesbian sex!’

    Published by BANG Showbiz English Megan Thee Stallion is being sued for allegedly creating a hostile work environment and forcing her cameraman to watch her having lesbian sex. The 29-year-old ‘Savage' rapper faces the salacious claims …Read More »
  • Mean Girls star Jonathan Bennett recalls the moment his life ‘changed forever’

    Mean Girls star Jonathan Bennett recalls the moment his life ‘changed forever’

    Published by BANG Showbiz English Jonathan Bennett's life was “changed forever” by his role in ‘Mean Girls'. The 42-year-old actor starred as heartthrob Aaron Samuels in the 2004 cult classic – which followed Lindsay Lohan, Rachel …Read More »
  • Sir Elton John sent Lance Bass gift basket to celebrate coming out

    Sir Elton John sent Lance Bass gift basket to celebrate coming out

    Published by BANG Showbiz English Sir Elton John sent Lance Bass a gift basket after he came out as gay. The 44-year-old NSYNC star revealed the legendary singer showed his support when Lance decided to reveal …Read More »
Previous Post: « News: Susan Boyle, Washington, Timothy Dolan, Tennessee, Cuba
Next Post: Mayor, Interrupted »

Primary Sidebar

Most Recent

  • Sophia Bush’s girlfriend ‘proud’ the actress has opened up about coming out as queer

    Sophia Bush’s girlfriend ‘proud’ the actress has opened up about coming out as queer

  • Mel B declares she’ll ‘always be open’ when it comes to her sexuality!

    Mel B declares she’ll ‘always be open’ when it comes to her sexuality!

  • Megan Thee Stallion being sued for ‘forcing cameraman watch her having lesbian sex!’

    Megan Thee Stallion being sued for ‘forcing cameraman watch her having lesbian sex!’

  • Mean Girls star Jonathan Bennett recalls the moment his life ‘changed forever’

    Mean Girls star Jonathan Bennett recalls the moment his life ‘changed forever’

  • Sir Elton John sent Lance Bass gift basket to celebrate coming out

    Sir Elton John sent Lance Bass gift basket to celebrate coming out

  • Relationship status influences heterosexual women’s sexual prejudice towards lesbians

    Relationship status influences heterosexual women’s sexual prejudice towards lesbians

  • JoJo Siwa had a challenge transitioning to new grown-up image

    JoJo Siwa had a challenge transitioning to new grown-up image

  • Liz Hurley defends lesbian sex scene in new movie that was directed by her son

    Liz Hurley defends lesbian sex scene in new movie that was directed by her son

Partner Links

  • Jake Tapper Suffers Self-Inflicted Injury As Ratings Take A Beating
    CNN host Jake Tapper had his lowest-rated month in nearly a […]
  • Benito Skinner tells Kelly Clarkson that he loves your DMs about ‘Overcompensating’
    Benito Skinner’s new Prime Video coming-of-age series “Overcompensating” draws on his […]
  • What Is Howard Lutnick Smoking?
    Trump's gaslighting Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick was at it again, this […]
  • How Marco Rubio Went Total MAGA Trump Chode
    It has been something to watch the complete downfall of Secretary […]
  • The Onion: Pete Hegseth Bans Men With Girl Names From Combat
    Here's another relevant and not far from the truth video from […]

Most Commented

Social

Twitter @tlrd | Facebook | Instagram @tlrd

About

  • Advertise
  • Contact Us
  • About Towleroad
  • Towleroad on Social Media
  • Privacy Policy
[towleroadmr] [towleroadtn]

Footer

Ptown Hacks 2018

Read

  • Travel
  • Film
  • Law – LGBT Rights
  • Columns
  • Specials

About

  • Advertise
  • Contact Us
  • About Towleroad
  • Towleroad on Social Media
  • Privacy Policy

Copyright © 2025 · Log in

×
×