Marriage Equality Vote On Tuesday- Contact NY Senators!

In the wake of the defeat of marriage equality in the state of Maine, New York State is poised to finally pass such a measure. This week, Governor David Paterson called the legislature back into session to deal with the massive budget deficit. During this session, he intends for legislators to vote on marriage equality. Since the State Assembly has already approved such legislation, the Governor will attempt to have the Senate follow the Assembly's lead.

Previous attempts to have a State Senate vote on the bill were blocked by select Senators such as Ruben Diaz, Sr. In remarks to the press over his blocking the bill, Senator Diaz is quoted as saying, "The gays are calling my office...They're going to see what we can do..."

This is historic legislation, and should not be blocked by discriminatory Senators. Governor Paterson and the State Assembly have expressed their support. All that stands between marriage equality is the endorsement of the Senate.

Regardless of where you live, please contact the New York State Senate and demand that they 1) Bring the bill to the floor for an "up or down vote," and 2) Vote to pass the bill.

Here are the State Senators to contact at this website (click here):

Senators NOT supporting the bill:

Darrel Aubertine, D-Cape Vincent
John DeFrancisco, R-Syracuse
Ruben Diaz, D-Bronx
Hugh Farley, R-Niskayuna
John Flanagan, R-Suffolk
Charles Fuschillo, R-Nassau/Suffolk
Martin Golden, R-Brooklyn
Joseph Griffo, R-Rome
Shirley Huntley, D-Queens
Carl Kruger, D-Brooklyn
William Larkin, R-Cornwall
Kenneth LaValle, R-Suffolk
Thomas Libous, R-Binghamton
Elizabeth Little, R-Queensbury
Carl Marcellino, R-Nassau/Suffolk
George Maziarz, R-Newfane
Michael Nozzolio, R-Seneca Falls
George Onorato, D-Queens
Frank Padavan, R-Queens/Bronx/Nassau
Michael Ranzenhofer, R-Amherst
Joseph Robach, R-Greece
Stephen Saland, R-Poughkeepsie
James Seward, R-Milford
Dean Skelos, R-Nassau
William Stachowski, D-Buffalo
Dale Volker, R-Depew
George Winner, R-Elmira
Catharine Young, R-Olean

Senators who are UNDECIDED:

John Bonacic, R-Mt. Hope
Brian Foley, D-Suffolk
Ruth Hassel-Thompson, D-Bronx/Westchester
Owen Johnson, R-Suffolk
Andrew Lanza, R-Staten Island
Roy McDonald, R-Saratoga
Hiram Monserrate, D-Queens
John Sampson, D-Brooklyn
David Valesky, D-Oneida

Wouldn't Say

Joseph Addabbo, D-Queens
James Alesi, R-East Rochester
Kemp Hannon, R-Nassau
Vincent Leibell, R-Westchester
Thomas Morahan, R-Rockland

Spread the word!