New Paltz, NY Mayor Says He Will Oversee Gay Marriages

[NewJerseyDem]

http://www.wnbc.com/news/2878787/detail.html

NEW PALTZ, N.Y. -- The 26-year-old mayor of this Hudson Valley village says he will begin performing gay marriages Friday, calling it "my moral obligation."

Mayor Jason West, who won office last year on the Green Party line, said he intends to marry at least four same-gender couples at a private bed and breakfast in the village. The move could make this college village 75 miles north of New York City another flash point in national debate over gay marriage.

"We as a society have no right to discriminate in marriage any more than we have the right to discriminate when someone votes or when someone wants to hold office," West said in a phone interview. "The people who would forbid gays from marrying in this country are those who would have made Rosa Parks sit in the back of the bus."

In recent months, gay marriage has exploded onto the national scene as judges and local officials have aggressively attempted to redefine marriage. A bill in the New York Legislature would ban same-sex marriages, saying a "marriage or union is absolutely void if contracted by two persons of the same sex, regardless of whether such marriage or union is recognized or solemnized in another jurisdiction.

[arcos]

1. Excellent!

What happened in Chicago? I thought Daley had come out in favor of the idea.

[NewJerseyDem]

2. I don't think he has the power to do it

If I understood the stories correctly, he, as mayor, doesn't have the power to authorize gay marriages.

[Chicago Democrat]

6. County Function

He's in favor in principle.

[rocktivity]

3. Yipes, that's where I went to college!

Finally, a reason to admit it!

:headbang:
rocknation

[slinkerwink]

4. Awesome!

[yo-yo-ma]

5. just think

if all mayors with conscience began marrying gay couples - it's be a movement. I think this would make it harder to ban gay marriage - especially as any sane person would see - no harm comes from these unions, only joy.