Michael Gormley of NBC New York is reporting that New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo is lobbying individual senators in a quest to secure what appears to be one more vote needed to legalize gay marriage in that state and deliver a major win for the national effort.
The Democrat met with three Republican senators in his Capitol office Thursday and plans to meet with more on Friday, the day Senate Republican leader Dean Skelos predicted that his house would bring the bill to a floor vote. The quietly called meetings come as talks drag on, leading the Senate's Democratic leader to say that Republicans are more concerned with protecting their majority.
Some advocates thought that a gay-marriage law could be enacted as early as Tuesday. "The meetings are ongoing," said Cuomo spokesman Josh Vlasto, putting no end date to the closed-door sessions.
"I'm still a 'no,' I'm still talking to people, so I'll let that speak for itself," said Republican Sen. Andrew Lanza of Staten Island after leaving Cuomo's office Thursday night. He said he continues to seek further protections for religious groups opposed to gay marriage so that they can't be prosecuted for discrimination if they refuse to allow their property or services to be used during gay-marriage ceremonies. Lanza wouldn't say if he believes that the bill will get a floor vote.
Interesting. The state with supposedly the most progressive city in the world is still hemming and hawing over gay marriage. It appears that New York is no longer a leader in gay rights, but a follower of discriminatory practices rooted in organized religion.
Lo and behold, organized religion may be allowed to not follow the letter of the law again, and to discriminate against gays in the use of its facilities. Discrimination is discrimination and should not be allowed anyplace where public funds are used. Yes, even private institutions make use of public funds. Whatever the case, New York of today is definitely not the New York of yesterday.
Read more at NBC New York.
In other news: Former New York Giant Says Gay Marriage Will Lead to Anarchy.
Like The Root on Facebook. Follow us on Twitter.