Washington, DC - Today, despite the best efforts of the the
New York State Assembly, Democratic Governor David Paterson, and 24
Democratic Senators, the New York State Senate denied marriage equality
24-38.
Statement from Michael Mitchell, Executive Director, National Stonewall Democrats:"In
New York, among the bluest of blue states, not one Republican Senator
could muster the courage or integrity to vote to expand the protections
of marriage to same-gender couples, an expansion supported by a
majority of New Yorkers -- a move that would have also brought millions
of dollars into state coffers and New York's struggling economy.
"For pro-equality voters in New York, and those around the
country, the choice between the parties could not be clearer. New York
Democrats led this fight for marriage equality, stood in the Senate
chamber and gave moving statements in support of their positions, while
New York Republicans could not even be bothered to justify their votes
to continue the discriminatory status quo.
"Today's vote also
demonstrates that we must be critical in examining those in our own
ranks. We cannot allow the Democratic Party to harbor intolerance or
hatred of any kind. On a day marked by disappointment, at least now we
know which Democrats need to be held accountable on primary day next
year."
Contact:
Jenna Lowenstein
Director of Communications
National Stonewall Democrats
202-625-1382
jlowenstein@stonewalldemocrats.org
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