Paterson introduces same-sex legislation

Gov. David Paterson set legislation in motion late last week to legalize gay marriage in the state of New York, sparking discussion from both sides of the debate.

Paterson hopes that New York will join Massachusetts, Connecticut, Iowa and Vermont on the list of states that currently grant marriage licenses to same-sex couples.

Mayor Michael Bloomberg, Sen. Charles E. Schumer, Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand and City Council Speaker Christine Quinn stood alongside Paterson at the press conference where he announced the legislation.

In New York, marriage licenses are not granted to same-sex couples. However, same-sex couples married in other states are recognized as having a legally binding marriage.

New York State made strides toward equality for gays when the Sexual Orientation Non-Discrimination Act was passed in January 2003.

The law supports both public and private employment protections based on sexual orientation.

But some believe this bill might not pass as easily as SONDA did.

Patrick Egan, an NYU politics professor, believes that state Republicans may be pivotal in the bill's passing.

'Its really hard to say; it's basically a couple of votes that are needed to pass or fail it,' Egan said. 'The governor will have to find Republican votes in order for it to pass.'

Many students on campus are excited about the news.

'When I originally heard about Paterson's introduction of the legislation I was concerned about his motives,' CAS senior Aya Hamano said, seeing the introduction as an attempt on the governor's behalf to raise his approval ratings. 'But I am hopeful that now that it's been introduced that it will pick up momentum.'

NYU gender studies professor Mary Louise Pratt said she thinks that even if the law does not pass now, it will soon.

Many in NYU's LGBT community are hopeful that the legislation pass.

'New York was a leader in the fight for women's suffrage, immigration rights and equal rights for African-Americans. We should also be a pioneering state in the civil rights regarding same-sex marriage,' said Nicholas Evans, interim director of NYU's Office of LGBT Student Services and assistant director for Leadership of the Department of Residential Education. 'The momentum is on our side.'

Jessica Abramson is a staff writer. E-mail her at cstate@nyunews.com.