Marriage Equality Opposition Withering Away

The Washington Post is reporting that opposition to marriage equality is loosing its mojo.  The article notes that, while support for equality is growing, there is evidence that the opposition is not only shrinking, but loosing its enthusiasm.  Thus, they'll probably still vote against us in the voting booth, but they don't really care that much if, say a Governor signs a marriage equality bill.  Case in point, New York where polls indicate white Catholics are evenly divided at 48% on marriage equality, while those same Catholics support Gov. Cuomo by a margin of 3-1.  54% of white protestants in New York oppose marriage equality while 60% of those same white protestants approve of the job Cuomo is doing.  Cuomo's support among equality opponents hasn't suffered.  There are apparently many people who oppose equality nominally but don't really care that Cuomo just signed equality into law.  The WaPo article also cited an interesting poll of Republican insider operatives.  54% of them believe the GOP should avoid the issue of marriage equality entirely.  In 2009, that number was only 37%.  Fully 84% of Democratic insiders believe the party should endorse marriage equality. 

All of this indicates that there is a significant and growing upside for politicians who support marriage equality and a significant and growing downside for those who don't.

From LC Special Correspondent Ray

NOM Plots Revenge/Big GOP Money Backs Equality

The so-called National Organization for Marriage has pledged $2 million to defeat the Republican New York state senators who voted for marriage equality.  Here's a quote:

"Last night we were sold out by the Republican Party in New York. Shortly before 10:30 last night, the New York Senate voted 33 to 29 in favor of same-sex marriage. Four Republicans – Jim Alesi, Roy McDonald, Steve Saland, and Mark Grisanti provided the margin of passage.
But this fight is far from over. In response to last night's vote, I have doubled our pledge to New York, committing at least $2 million dollars to make sure that New York Republicans understand that voting for gay marriage has consequences."

If I were Senators Alesi, McDonald, Saland, or Grisanti, I wouldn't loose much sleep over Mr. Brown's tough guy stance.  NOM wasn't just innefective in the New York marriage battle, it wasn't even a factor.  What do they spend all their money on?  It's certainly not effective advocacy.  Remember when Brian bragged that he would make sure marriage equality was repealed in New Hampshire when the Republicans won super-majorities there?  If they made an effort, it was DOA.  NOM failed to defeat marriage equality in DC.  NOM failed to prevent civil unions in Illinois and Delaware.  NOM failed to repeal the Washington state domestic partnership bill even though it was on the ballot and they fought it as a marriage battle.  Are their self-styled "victories" anything more than claiming credit for the efforts of others?  Brian is begging for money on his NOM site right now.  Who would continue to throw good money after bad?   

The New York marriage victory marked the first time a GOP-controlled legislative body voted for marriage equality, or any other gay rights issue, for that matter.  The Senate leadership didn't have to send it down for a vote, but they did and enough Republicans voted in favor to put the bill over the top.  Further, today's New York Times reported that, major Republican donors bankrolled this effort and vowed to protect the Republicans who voted for equality.  If I were a Republican elected official, I would much rather have deep-pocket Wall Street tycoons on my side than Bryan Brown and Maggie Gallagher.  NOM is toast.     

Witness To History

My dear friend (and LC reader) Ray and his friend Carlos were at The Stonewall Inn last night as the New York Senate passed marriage equality.  Here are his pictures and his beautifully written report.  You might want to grab a tissue before you read it:

"I got a call from my friend Carlos to come down to the village and have dinner with him last evening and as decided last minute to do so. After having a nice dinner and discussion about the impending state senate passage of the marriage equality act, we of course were anxious to know as it was about to happen any moment.



After dinner we walked over to Sheridan Square and Christopher Street and low and behold as we walked over at 10:31 my phone flashed with the NY Times news alert that the state senate had passed the measure and it was now going to be law!! The streets erupted and we made our way to the Stonewall Inn where it all began some 42 years ago, the beginning of the gay rights movement and the struggle for equality, Christopher Street had been cordoned off and the thousands were flocking and cheering and celebrating what it truly an hard fought and historic moment.

As we made our way through the crowd I had such emotions. Seeing all the different types...young, old, black, white, latino, asian, indian, phillipino, tall, thin, heavy....gosh what diversity our community has and there in lies our strength!! I felt such pride in our coming together to celebrate this moment and I too had some emotion (and a few tears) as I remembered all those friends who were NOT here to celebrate in this moment....Willy, Stan, Gray, David, Reid, Lloyd, Thomas, Web, Kevin....too many and yet I said, "you are here, in my heart and in my memory and I share this moment with you! You may be gone but not forgotten!"

A very incredible moment and crowd and energy....I'm so GLAD I got a chance to witness, to be alive and to experience a part of this!! (thank you! Carlos!!)"

Equality in New York!

The New York Senate just approved marriage equality!  The number of Americans living in equality has more than doubled!  This is the first time that a Republican controlled legislative body has voted in favor of equality.  This a a huge game changer in many ways.  What a great day for America!  Wes and I were married in Canada, but next time we go visit LC NY Bureau Chief Doug, we're getting married in the New York City!

I LOVE NEW YORK!

Quote of the Day II

"I won't believe in marriage equality in New York until I am being fitted at Vera Wang!"

--LC NY Bureau Chief Doug, taking a sensible approach to the impending vote in the NY state senate.  Let's hope Doug is on the phone to Vera tomorrow!

Bloomberg: "Near Equality is No Equality"

New York mayor Bloomberg gave a major speech on marriage equality yesterday at Cooper Union.  An excerpt:

"Today, a majority of Americans support marriage equality—and young people increasingly view marriage equality in much the same way as young people in the 1960s viewed civil rights. Eventually, as happened with civil rights for African-Americans, they will be a majority of voters. And they will pass laws that reflect their values and elect presidents who personify them.  It is not a matter of if—but when.  And the question for every New York State lawmaker is: Do you want to be remembered as a leader on civil rights? Or an obstructionist? On matters of freedom and equality, history has not remembered obstructionists kindly."

You can read the whole thing here. 

Bloomberg has been a major campaign donor and supporter of key Republicans in the New York state legislature.  This gives him influence and leverage that he will hopefully use to help bring equality to his state. 

In the picture above, the mayor is shown with his niece, Rachel Tiven, who is a lesbian.