06/15/2009
Former NY GOP Senate Leader Bruno: Yes to Marriage Equality
Former New York Senate Republican Majority Leader Joe Bruno, who last week spoke publicly to an Albany reporter about his change of mind regarding marriage equality, released a fuller statement over the weekend.
Said Bruno, in part:
"The Governor’s bill also contains an important amendment that allows individual religious institutions to opt out of the performance of gay marriages. We can’t and shouldn’t force churches to marry, but we should allow for same sex marriages. I believe this amendment is a crucial element because the bill does not use the hand of government to force a private religious institution to perform any rite outside of its belief system. Church and State are separate powers.
"Governor Paterson has introduced this contentious issue for consideration. The senate leadership should follow suit and allow this bill to move forward."
The Log Cabin Republicans praised Bruno. Said Jeff Cook, Legislative Advisor to the group: “We are proud that Senator Bruno is standing with us on the right side of history. Support for marriage equality transcends ideology, includes all parties and comes from all faiths. Notable Republicans, from Senator Bruno to former Vice President Dick Cheney, are recognizing that ‘freedom means freedom for everyone’. Senate Republicans should do what 58 Republican state legislators have already done—stand up to ensure that all families can live freely and equally with the same full protection of our laws.”
Read Bruno's entire statement, AFTER THE JUMP...
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Freedom For All – By Joseph L. Bruno
As a Republican, I believe in personal freedom. I believe the government ought to fundamentally leave people alone and I believe that people are people, no matter their color or stripe. When it comes to the right of homosexuals to marry, a right Governor Paterson has recently proposed to extend to them, these beliefs lead me to conclude that their rights are no different than ours.
When I was the Senate Majority Leader of New York State, I opposed same sex marriage largely because the overwhelming majority of my caucus opposed it. As a relatively conservative Roman Catholic, I instinctually view marriage as the foundation of the family. However, that view really does conflict with the rights that are afforded to all of us.
Our founding fathers gave us individual freedoms and the right to choose how to live our lives. This is America and we have unalienable rights. Let everyone decide how to pursue their own happiness. I understand that this issue stirs great passion in many people. I understand that many view it as a moral threat. However, my instincts tell me that homosexuals who wish to enter into the union of marriage are just like the rest of us and they ought to be free to enter into it.
Recently, former vice president Dick Cheney told the National Press Club that he favors the rights of homosexuals to marry because people should be free to enter into a union of their choosing. I agree with the vice president that people should be free, after all personal freedom is the cornerstone of all our beliefs and rights.
I previously endorsed civil unions as a pragmatic compromise. However, civil unions seem reminiscent of segregation. They relegate same sex couples to second class citizenship. In essence, we are telling them you can be equal, so long as you are separate. This does not square with the equal protection of the laws of the 14th Amendment and equality is the veritable birthright of the Republican Party of Abraham Lincoln.
The Governor’s bill also contains an important amendment that allows individual religious institutions to opt out of the performance of gay marriages. We can’t and shouldn’t force churches to marry, but we should allow for same sex marriages. I believe this amendment is a crucial element because the bill does not use the hand of government to force a private religious institution to perform any rite outside of its belief system. Church and State are separate powers.
Governor Paterson has introduced this contentious issue for consideration. The senate leadership should follow suit and allow this bill to move forward. Life is short and we should all be afforded the same opportunities and rights to enjoy it.
Posted 12:38 PM EST by Andy Towle in Gay Marriage, Joe Bruno, New York, News, Republican Party | Permalink
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Does anyone else this reeks of the GOP trying to woo the GLBT community?
Posted by: Jon | Jun 15, 2009 12:52:52 PM
@Jon: it totally does - and what exactly is wrong with that? it's about time they started! I'm not going to vote for them anytime soon, but still: PANDER TO US! It feels good doesn't it?
Posted by: Andreas | Jun 15, 2009 1:02:48 PM
Better late than never I guess. Interesting how all these Republicans who are NO LONGER IN OFFICE all of a sudden have a change of heart about marriage equality.
Posted by: Mike | Jun 15, 2009 1:05:04 PM
This whole thing is entirely suspicious. Sounds good but is it pandering for votes simply or a covert front where the pandering is little more than lip service to cover the ultimate no vote from the Repugnicans (if they even get anything done anytime soon).
Time will tell but the message of tolerance is gladly accepted. That being said, it'll take more than kind words to convince me. (That goes for any politico regardless of party.)
Posted by: ED2 | Jun 15, 2009 1:08:15 PM
It also goes without saying that this all sounds good but as for his abilities to enact any progressive change, he should've done so while in office. Too little, too late- revisionists...
Posted by: ED2 | Jun 15, 2009 1:10:40 PM
When even creeps like Bruno and Cheney are for marriage equality, you know the tide is really turning!
Posted by: Feral | Jun 15, 2009 1:29:07 PM
The volume on this issue in New York just keeps getting louder. Are we going to see marriage equality in the Empire State within the month? Are we finally going to see BOTH parties compete for our support so that we actually get what we need? I'm surprised at how optimistic I feel at the moment. If New York goes, how far behind can the rest of the nation be? Almost 7% of the country lives here -- if a substantial proportion live in marriage equality states, the legal inequities will at some point become too great to ignore and push Congress or the Supreme Court (even odds on which) to perform the coup de grace and enforce the Full Faith and Credit clause as it was intended.
Posted by: Pender | Jun 15, 2009 1:54:05 PM
Joe Bruno is now more supportive of gay rights than Barack Obama, whom gay people gave tens of millions of dollars to elect. Wake up, people - the GOP is changing for the better!!
Posted by: Cyd | Jun 15, 2009 2:12:27 PM
Would have meant something when he was still in power.
Posted by: charley | Jun 15, 2009 2:21:03 PM
I can't imagine what kind horrific incriminating material they must have on Joe Bruno to have extorted this out of him. This kind of about face does not happen without the existence of photos of sexual activities with fourth graders.
Posted by: Roscoe | Jun 15, 2009 2:25:43 PM
Bruno is a hired gun. Technically, he cannot lobby because he has not been out of office long enough, but who cares. His endorsement provides political cover for those Republicans who are sitting on the fence. It is apparent that Republican strategist are looking at polls and see the "writing on the wall". This is not a big issue for the younger generation. They are trying hard to get ahead of the issue. Good for them. I welcome it. Especially if it means marriage equality comes to New York. At some point the tide turns in our favor and the Federal Courts begin to back us. There will be set backs. However, there is no reason to wait for Obama to rescue us. Win our rights out right. Get Marriage Equality through legislation and the courts will not take it away from us.
Posted by: Leto | Jun 15, 2009 3:01:11 PM
Wow I'm starting to feel good - these guys must be scared! They see the wave and grab a surfboard, so they're not as dumb as we thought. Puts Obama to shame [so far at least]!
Posted by: Ted | Jun 15, 2009 3:45:47 PM
We're going to see quite a number of "Republicans" (whatever that means anymore) evolving on this issue as the general public, overall, becomes more comfortable with it as well.
Posted by: JT | Jun 15, 2009 4:13:21 PM
SORRY kids, I'm not buying their BULLSHIT at all!
Posted by: Yes I am Chris | Jun 16, 2009 1:00:24 AM