New York Assembly passes gay marriage bill (again)

For the fourth time in half as many years, the New York State Assembly has passed a bill legalizing same-sex marriage in hopes of finally seeing it approved by the Senate [my emphasis]:

As the State Assembly passed a gay marriage bill Wednesday night, State Senate Republicans say they will meet again tomorrow to decide whether or not to bring the measure to the floor before the legislative session ends.

The State Assembly passed the measure by an 80-63 vote tonight for the fourth time in two years.

“This is a matter of equity and justice,” Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver said in a statement. “New Yorkers should have the right to marry whom they choose. Partners unable to enter into a civil marriage, and their children, lack basic legal protections taken for granted by married couples.”

[…]

Same-sex marriage is now just one vote away from becoming law in New York, as a second senate Republican broke ranks yesterday to support the measure.

Senator Roy McDonald of Saratoga says he will vote "yes" on the bill.

That gives the measure the support of 31 senators, with 32 needed for approval.

I don’t suppose finger-crossing will do any good, but we can always hope for a satisfactory end to this absurd debate over who gets to be accorded basic rights over others.

(via @BreakingNews)

Tags: New York • New York Assembly • same-sex marriage