At an LGBT reception for his reelection campaign at City Winery in Manhattan, NYC mayor Michael Bloomberg backtracked on remarks he made in an interview with Gay City News in which he said there was no way a marriage equality bill would be passed in New York this year, calling its chances "zero, zero."
Said Bloomberg last night at the reception, according to Gay City News: "I was asked by one of the newspapers if I think it's going to
pass, and I said, ‘You know, I am so worried about it. I don't think
it's going to pass, but I think we have to work as hard as we can to
make it pass.'"
He added, of near-term prospects: "I actually think in my heart of hearts that this is going to get done."
Bloomberg's original remarks have been criticized by his opponent, comptroller William Thompson, as well as the bill's sponsor Senator Thomas Duane, NYC City Council Speaker, Christine Quinn, and Empire State Pride Agenda executive director Alan van Capelle. All refuted the mayor's remarks and expressed optimism that marriage equality could be passed in New York this session.
