NY Senate stalls on gay marriage vote as hundreds of demonstrators rally in Albany

[Freddie Stubbs]

Source: Associated Press

ALBANY, N.Y. — Hundreds of protesters for and against gay marriage in New York chanted, sang and sought out TV cameras Monday while the state Senate again came to no resolution on the issue in a closed-door session that barely touched on the nationally divisive topic.

Two Republican senators said the gay marriage issue that has sharply focused the efforts of opponents and advocates was only briefly discussed in the caucus. Instead, Senate Republican leader Dean Skelos is negotiating with Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo on religious exemptions that could be enough for Republican senators — most of whom oppose gay marriage — to send the issue to a floor where a bipartisan effort could pass it.

Democratic Sen. Ruben Diaz Sr., a Bronx minister who has led the opposition, said he now considers the legalization of same-sex marriage inevitable at some point in New York. He said, however, he’s unsure how the Senate will vote, noting Cuomo is exerting unprecedented pressure to get Republicans to approve his bill.

On Monday, groups led by clergy opposed to same-sex marriage sang hymns such as “Victory is Mine” and prayed in small circles while pro-same-sex marriage advocates countered with “God Bless America” and “This Little Light of Mine” and lined the halls and parlor outside the Senate chamber.

Read more: http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/hundreds-of-demonstrators-rally-in-albany-as-ny-republicans-consider-gay-marriage-vote/2011/06/20/AGLIXtcH_story.html?tid=sm_twitter_washingtonpost

[janburns96]

1. All marriage laws ought to be outlawed as obsolete

No sense making messy marriages only to make messy divorces. Perhaps the UN can adopt some sort of world treaty that forbids discrimination of domestic partnerships.

[RBInMaine]

2. There obviously need to be some limits, but not with regard to gender among consenting adults.