gays going to the chapel in NYS
June 24, 2011 7:10 PM   Subscribe

The New York State Senate has just passed a religious exemption amendment to a bill granting marriage rights to gay couples. A vote on the full bill is currently underway (live stream) and seems headed for passage.
posted by pjenks (379 comments total) 33 users marked this as a favorite
 
Ongoing mefite liveblogging is here.
posted by rtha at 7:12 PM on June 24, 2011 [2 favorites]


Your links are the same. Should the live stream link be different?
posted by jedicus at 7:12 PM on June 24, 2011


Live stream.
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 7:13 PM on June 24, 2011


What does the religious exemption amendment do?
posted by Joakim Ziegler at 7:14 PM on June 24, 2011


oops... here was my intended live stream.
posted by pjenks at 7:15 PM on June 24, 2011


If only there were existing constitutional protections for religion ... I'd call them the "establishment" and "free exercise" clauses ...
posted by ZenMasterThis at 7:15 PM on June 24, 2011 [5 favorites]


Then I'd repeal the anti-gay clauses in the amendments which call for equal protection under the law.
posted by ZenMasterThis at 7:16 PM on June 24, 2011 [1 favorite]


I don't understand the religious exemption thing. My parents' synagogue won't perform a wedding between a Jew and a non-Jew, even though such marriages are 100% legal (and common!), and nobody has sued them. Is this really an issue? Or is it just a way for moderate Republicans to vote yes and save face?
posted by craichead at 7:16 PM on June 24, 2011 [11 favorites]


State Sen. Mark Grisanti is in favour. (Gaga factor?) It is now unlikely that this will not pass.
posted by goodnewsfortheinsane at 7:16 PM on June 24, 2011


The New York City Pride Parade is Sunday.

A photo of what it looks like outside The Stonewall Inn right now.

If this passes, it will be the first gay marriage bill to pass in a Republican-majority state senate.
Come senators, congressmen / please heed the call
don't stand in the doorway / don't block up the hall
for he that gets hurt / will be he who has stalled
there's a battle outside / and it is ragin'
it'll soon shake your windows / And rattle your walls
for the times / they are a-changin'.
posted by tzikeh at 7:17 PM on June 24, 2011 [18 favorites]


I'm really hoping this passes tonight. It would be a giant step forward and very satisfying after several lost votes.

Are there any details as to what's in the religious exemption bill? That article isn't very specific. I am hoping we don't have another Illinois, where orphans and foster children were thrown under the bus because religious organizations would rather see them go without parents than have gay ones.
posted by cmgonzalez at 7:19 PM on June 24, 2011 [1 favorite]


> Or is it just a way for moderate Republicans to vote yes and save face?

It's a pandering thing, yeah.
posted by rtha at 7:20 PM on June 24, 2011 [3 favorites]


Huzzah, NY!

I hope this is the beginning of the Republican wall falling. Time for them to join modern times.
posted by five fresh fish at 7:21 PM on June 24, 2011 [2 favorites]


COME ON NEW YORK DO IIIIIIITTTTTTTTTTT
posted by Theta States at 7:25 PM on June 24, 2011


Yay, NY! And also yay Grisanti, I'm glad that a Buffalo-area senator is doing the right thing.
posted by troika at 7:26 PM on June 24, 2011 [1 favorite]


cmgonzalez: As I understand it, churches (synagogues, mosques, etc) and ministers (priests, imans, etc) cannot be sued or prosecuted for refusing to marry or acknowledge gay couples. Also, it makes the religious protections bound to the marriage bill (that is, a judge cannot later go back and strike the religious protections, leaving the gay marriage).
posted by Zephyrial at 7:27 PM on June 24, 2011


Sitting here in New York, watching the live stream. Eeegads, this is worse than watching the Oscars. Come onnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn!
posted by flyingsquirrel at 7:28 PM on June 24, 2011 [1 favorite]


DOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIT!
posted by Space Kitty at 7:28 PM on June 24, 2011


I have no idea how people in politics, music, acting etc. don't blow their fucking heads off from all the endless waiting.
posted by FelliniBlank at 7:29 PM on June 24, 2011


Here we go.
posted by goodnewsfortheinsane at 7:29 PM on June 24, 2011


Here we go...
posted by flyingsquirrel at 7:29 PM on June 24, 2011


YAY! Congrats NY!
posted by goodnewsfortheinsane at 7:29 PM on June 24, 2011 [4 favorites]


33-29. It's done!
posted by schmod at 7:30 PM on June 24, 2011 [4 favorites]


OH MY GOD WE DID IT!!!!
posted by flyingsquirrel at 7:30 PM on June 24, 2011 [4 favorites]


yay!
posted by xbonesgt at 7:30 PM on June 24, 2011 [1 favorite]


FUCK YES!!!!

HURRAY NEW YORK!
posted by Theta States at 7:30 PM on June 24, 2011 [3 favorites]


THIS IS REAL LIFE. 33-29.
posted by Zephyrial at 7:30 PM on June 24, 2011 [2 favorites]


33/29!
posted by Alt F4 at 7:30 PM on June 24, 2011 [2 favorites]


But, churches &c already have the right to marry or not marry whoever they want, right? Can't a priest say "tough titties, you two are too tall to get married"?

I get that the amendment is there for political purposes, but is there any real legal reason for it?

On preview: YAAAAAY!
posted by auto-correct at 7:30 PM on June 24, 2011 [3 favorites]


Good show!
posted by marxchivist at 7:31 PM on June 24, 2011 [2 favorites]


Yippee!
posted by FelliniBlank at 7:31 PM on June 24, 2011 [2 favorites]


Woooooooooo!
posted by evidenceofabsence at 7:31 PM on June 24, 2011 [2 favorites]


DANCE FUCKERS
posted by The Whelk at 7:31 PM on June 24, 2011


WOOOOOOOOOOOO-HOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! C'mon common sense and humanity, I've missed you so much!!!!!
posted by Space Kitty at 7:31 PM on June 24, 2011 [1 favorite]


Congrats, NY!
posted by benito.strauss at 7:31 PM on June 24, 2011 [1 favorite]


Hurray New York!
posted by padraigin at 7:32 PM on June 24, 2011 [1 favorite]


brb sobbing like fat gassy baby
posted by elizardbits at 7:32 PM on June 24, 2011 [24 favorites]


I get that the amendment is there for political purposes, but is there any real legal reason for it?

I guess if the 1st Amendment were repealed or something then it would be a separate protection.

Anyway, congratulations, New York!
posted by jedicus at 7:32 PM on June 24, 2011 [1 favorite]


Is there some auto-fave thingy so I can fave ALL of these comments?

/crying tears of joy in New York
posted by flyingsquirrel at 7:32 PM on June 24, 2011 [5 favorites]


Yes! Now my fellow New Yorkers will have equal rights. Thank you, State Senate.
posted by cmgonzalez at 7:32 PM on June 24, 2011 [1 favorite]


FINALLY! W00t!
posted by maudlin at 7:33 PM on June 24, 2011


Oh god. The bizarre music is back..
posted by schmod at 7:33 PM on June 24, 2011 [3 favorites]


I hope this is a revolutionary change! Go equality!
posted by five fresh fish at 7:33 PM on June 24, 2011


Woohoo!!!
posted by Blue Jello Elf at 7:33 PM on June 24, 2011


YES! So proud to be a New Yorker.
posted by Mavri at 7:34 PM on June 24, 2011 [1 favorite]


This is how its done, Cali....
posted by tyllwin at 7:34 PM on June 24, 2011 [2 favorites]


awe. some.
posted by qnarf at 7:34 PM on June 24, 2011


YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY!
posted by shiu mai baby at 7:34 PM on June 24, 2011 [4 favorites]


Brain not working. Is this marriage equality via the legislature number two? If so, can we call this the damn breaking on history? Please? Just for tonight, even?
posted by hoyland at 7:35 PM on June 24, 2011


I'm proud of my home state!
posted by mareli at 7:35 PM on June 24, 2011


!

(being the opposite of ".")
posted by NoraReed at 7:35 PM on June 24, 2011 [4 favorites]


It's the first time a republican-controlled legislature has passed marriage equality. Sounds like a dam breaking to me.
posted by Jeanne at 7:35 PM on June 24, 2011 [30 favorites]


It's the first time a republican-controlled legislature has passed marriage equality. Sounds like a dam breaking to me.

I certainly hope so!
posted by cmgonzalez at 7:36 PM on June 24, 2011 [1 favorite]


What are you waiting for? Go get married, everybody!
posted by rtha at 7:36 PM on June 24, 2011 [9 favorites]


FUCK YEAH
posted by Rory Marinich at 7:37 PM on June 24, 2011


Hm, I'm going to be in NYC in a couple weeks. Anyone need a wife? Lord knows I do.
posted by restless_nomad at 7:38 PM on June 24, 2011 [19 favorites]


Go get married, everybody!

I think we should go in together and get each set of newlyweds a giant metal chicken.

Or not.
posted by FelliniBlank at 7:38 PM on June 24, 2011 [28 favorites]


Happy Pride everyone! What a beautiful thing. When does it take effect?

Need to arrange massive thank yous for the Republican members who broke ranks and did the right thing here.
posted by zachlipton at 7:39 PM on June 24, 2011 [2 favorites]


This is how its done, Cali....

To be fair, the CA Legislature has already passed SSM a couple of times. Der Governator just kept vetoing it, and AFAIK Prop 8 made legislative action moot.
posted by ROU_Xenophobe at 7:39 PM on June 24, 2011 [8 favorites]


Jewelry stores are gonna be mobbed this weekend.

Best Pride ever.
posted by evidenceofabsence at 7:40 PM on June 24, 2011 [7 favorites]


CHAMPAGNE, WEDDING CAKE AND VERA WANG FOR EVERYONE!
posted by Space Kitty at 7:40 PM on June 24, 2011 [3 favorites]


Yes.
posted by gurple at 7:41 PM on June 24, 2011


I like it when the good guys win.
posted by bardic at 7:41 PM on June 24, 2011 [7 favorites]


Now The Whelk is obligated to get married...

and MetaFilter is obligated to fill his house with strange, unusual, and difficult-to-use-or-dispose-of gifts.
posted by hippybear at 7:41 PM on June 24, 2011 [26 favorites]


goin' to the chapel and we're
gonna be FABULOUS
posted by scody at 7:41 PM on June 24, 2011 [15 favorites]


To answer my own question, the NY Times story says that the law takes effect 30 days after Cuomo signs it, and presumably he'll sign it promptly. I honestly don't see why it can't just start tomorrow, but still, July weddings for everyone!
posted by zachlipton at 7:42 PM on June 24, 2011


To be fair, the CA Legislature has already passed SSM a couple of times. Der Governator just kept vetoing it, and AFAIK Prop 8 made legislative action moot.

It was meant more as encouragement than as sand in their faces
posted by tyllwin at 7:42 PM on June 24, 2011


In four days it will have been 42 years since the Stonewall riots. Progress happens.
posted by TheWhiteSkull at 7:42 PM on June 24, 2011 [12 favorites]


I'd like to be pleased, and I guess I am judging by the tears in my eyes. I'm also a little pissed off because this is just one more reminder that I have got to move out of this backwards, redneck, God-forsaken, bible-thumping, bigoted, jerkwater state and go someplace civilized but I can't afford to take a bath on the house.

As far as the religious protection amendment, I think a major part of the point was to keep Knights of Columbus halls and the like from being sued for unlawful discrimination if they didn't want to rent to a same-sex couples for religious reasons. I thought it was a brilliant piece of legislating.
posted by ob1quixote at 7:43 PM on June 24, 2011 [4 favorites]


Vermont says welcome.
posted by jessamyn at 7:44 PM on June 24, 2011 [31 favorites]


Congratulations, New York. Great job.
posted by mintcake! at 7:45 PM on June 24, 2011


Well done and thank you, New York.
posted by bryon at 7:45 PM on June 24, 2011 [1 favorite]


YAY! :D
posted by zarq at 7:47 PM on June 24, 2011 [1 favorite]


MetaFilter is obligated to fill his house with strange, unusual, and difficult-to-use-or-dispose-of gifts.

Cue the giant metal chicken.
posted by flyingsquirrel at 7:47 PM on June 24, 2011 [7 favorites]


ob1quixote: Or, it may be that your continued presence where you live is what helps tip the scales toward official acceptance of your existence where you currently live.

I'd never volunteer or force someone to stay anywhere they are uncomfortable, but there is much to be gained by having people who are willing to stay in their "red county" areas and be themselves. It's only through exposure that attitudes are changed.
posted by hippybear at 7:47 PM on June 24, 2011 [7 favorites]


USA! USA! USA!
posted by mikelieman at 7:47 PM on June 24, 2011 [1 favorite]


*slams down wine glass*

ALL RIGHT. (*wipes chardonnay from mouth*). Which one o' you dirty, stinkin', opposite-sex-marriage-only states IS NEXT?
posted by scody at 7:48 PM on June 24, 2011 [46 favorites]


So glad for this.
posted by notquitemaryann at 7:48 PM on June 24, 2011


Awesome.
posted by Sticherbeast at 7:49 PM on June 24, 2011


I'm quite please that this country inches closer to treating millions of more citizens as complete human beings. Congrats, New York!
posted by gc at 7:49 PM on June 24, 2011 [1 favorite]


Huzzah! Good for teh gays, good for teh everyone.
posted by lalochezia at 7:50 PM on June 24, 2011


Wow, this is amazing.
posted by Forktine at 7:51 PM on June 24, 2011


Fuck yeah human rights!

Great job, NY. Really great.
posted by amery at 7:51 PM on June 24, 2011


As a straight male, I'm feeling a little fabulous right now.
posted by bardic at 7:52 PM on June 24, 2011 [12 favorites]



ALL RIGHT. (*wipes chardonnay from mouth*). Which one o' you dirty, stinkin', opposite-sex-marriage-only states IS NEXT?

We got an idiotic amendment to defeat next year here in MN. Man... It pains me, it really does, MN could have been right there with NY this year if the elections didn't slightly (surprisingly) tip the MN congress away last time around. We have a pro SSM Gov, and a lot of DFL-ers who would support it whole heartedly.
posted by edgeways at 7:53 PM on June 24, 2011 [1 favorite]


I would not like to be an employee working at the Four Seasons New York's reservations line right now, let me tell you. Or the Pierre or the Plaza or Mohonk Mountain House or any of a number of lovely places in the state. They're gonna get hand cramps from all the work they're gonna have to do in the next 24 hours, getting everyone's dates penciled in.
posted by Asparagirl at 7:54 PM on June 24, 2011 [5 favorites]


Yay!
posted by ghharr at 7:54 PM on June 24, 2011


Reading up some more on the religious exemptions. There are more details here: http://www.towleroad.com/2011/06/amendments.html

And the actual legislation: http://open.nysenate.gov/legislation/bill/A8520-2011
posted by cmgonzalez at 7:55 PM on June 24, 2011 [3 favorites]


Go NY! It's gonna be one hell of a Pride parade. :)
posted by jeffburdges at 7:56 PM on June 24, 2011 [1 favorite]


I believe that what we are seeing here is a further sundering between the conservative states out West and the liberal states, which tend to be coastal...Even as liberal states increasingly enact progressive things--Ct now on verge of making pot legal; NY with gay marriage etc--other states are making abortion impossible, removing circumcision from being paid for, removing collective bargaining for public unions etc etc.
posted by Postroad at 7:57 PM on June 24, 2011


I hope our President will soon be as liberal as these Republicans and come out in support of gay marriage too.
posted by furiousxgeorge at 7:57 PM on June 24, 2011 [51 favorites]


I'm pretty damn proud of my home state today.
posted by teferi at 7:57 PM on June 24, 2011


I've got this great visual now of The Outlaw Scody Wales gunning down the revolting Michigan constitutional amendment and then spitting a big hunk of tobacco right on the Ann Arbor sidewalk.
posted by FelliniBlank at 7:58 PM on June 24, 2011 [3 favorites]


er, Lansing, that is.
posted by FelliniBlank at 7:58 PM on June 24, 2011


As a New Yorker, I salute this. As an ordained minister of the Universal Life Church, I urge New York City to change the laws so I can now marry some of the couples who no doubt will be flocking here for destination weddings.
posted by AJaffe at 7:58 PM on June 24, 2011


hippybear: "and MetaFilter is obligated to fill his house with strange, unusual, and difficult-to-use-or-dispose-of gifts."

I hope he doesn't have a corn baller already!
posted by boo_radley at 7:58 PM on June 24, 2011 [4 favorites]


Iceland welcomes you, too.

Good job, guys!
posted by Marisa Stole the Precious Thing at 7:59 PM on June 24, 2011 [2 favorites]


Canada says hey, but it keeps looking between its watch and the door.
posted by Zozo at 8:02 PM on June 24, 2011 [2 favorites]


From the NY Times:In New York, passage of the bill reflects rapidly evolving sentiment about same-sex unions. In 2004, according to the Quinnipiac poll, 37 percent of the state’s residents supported allowing same-sex couples to wed. This year, 58 percent of them did.

That's a pretty amazing swing in just 7 years.
posted by scody at 8:03 PM on June 24, 2011 [9 favorites]


I think this is awesome! Relatedly, if my wife and I wanted to go to NY Pride on Sunday, where would be a good location to watch the parade (pref. less crowded, so we don't have to get up hyper-early)?
posted by sleepinglion at 8:03 PM on June 24, 2011


(Because I'm worried Harper is going to make a push for… oh whatever, congratulations, NY.)
posted by Zozo at 8:03 PM on June 24, 2011


I'm applauding this, literally — I clapped my hands and cheered when I read in this thread that the bill passed. And I've never even been to New York.

How many states are down and how many more are there to go?
posted by orange swan at 8:03 PM on June 24, 2011


Okay, New York - you may have lost H&H Bagels this week but you gained gay marriage. A worthy trade, I'd say. (So excited for all my wonderful friends who finally have the right they have always deserved.)
posted by ilana at 8:03 PM on June 24, 2011 [1 favorite]


noot noot mothafucka!
posted by cashman at 8:03 PM on June 24, 2011


YEAH! I am SO happy! About frickin' time!
posted by biscotti at 8:04 PM on June 24, 2011 [1 favorite]


I believe that what we are seeing here is a further sundering between the conservative states out West and the liberal states, which tend to be coastal...Even as liberal states increasingly enact progressive things--Ct now on verge of making pot legal; NY with gay marriage etc--other states are making abortion impossible, removing circumcision from being paid for, removing collective bargaining for public unions etc etc.

Please don't do this.

Every time you make a statement like this, you show your ignorance of the true nature of the country.

The whole "we are liberal, you are conservative" thing is a myth. Underscored by the all-or-nothing nature of our electoral system.

The true fact of the US political distribution is that most of the counties are purple of varying shades. It only takes 51% of a county going one direction or the other to have it colored entirely red or blue. The reality is, even if a county goes 75% for one side, the chances are 1 in 4 that you'll encounter someone on the other side.

It's not all that extreme, and it's not all coastal states vs flyover states.

Stop viewing the country in that way. You're disenfranchising all your allies who live in the places you consider enemy territory.
posted by hippybear at 8:04 PM on June 24, 2011 [105 favorites]


I want to gay marry all of you!
posted by ColdChef at 8:05 PM on June 24, 2011 [12 favorites]


Beware liberals: God is going to send some big-ass tornadoes to Kansas as punishment for this outrage!
posted by Avenger at 8:06 PM on June 24, 2011 [2 favorites]


I want to gay marry all of you!

Over my de . . . . . . nevermind.
posted by FelliniBlank at 8:06 PM on June 24, 2011 [4 favorites]


I want to gay marry all of you!

Looks like you're at 12 so far...
posted by Karmakaze at 8:07 PM on June 24, 2011


I am so happy to be a New Yorker today!

also i wanna gay marry all of you too!
posted by inertia at 8:07 PM on June 24, 2011


I ♥ NY, I do!
posted by vespertine at 8:07 PM on June 24, 2011 [1 favorite]


How many states are down and how many more are there to go?

Six states (plus DC) down. Forty-four (plus PR) to go.

We're gonna need a bigger boat bottle of chardonnay.
posted by scody at 8:07 PM on June 24, 2011 [3 favorites]


Noooo! They were right! Turn on CNN, there are several hundred men in front of the state capitol demanding marriages with their turtles and the law is powerless to stop them! WHY DIDN'T WE LISTEN!?
posted by furiousxgeorge at 8:07 PM on June 24, 2011 [19 favorites]


I'm virtually flying to NY to gay-marry Space Kitty and Asparagirl RIGHT NOW.
posted by scody at 8:08 PM on June 24, 2011 [2 favorites]


The NY senate live stream was offline when I checked just now, but their test pattern sure looks like a rainbow flag - how felicitous!

Like it used to say on the T-shirts: I U+2665 NY

stupid Unicode...
posted by Quietgal at 8:08 PM on June 24, 2011


Best. Thread. Ever.
posted by flyingsquirrel at 8:08 PM on June 24, 2011


So very proud to be a New Yorker today. BOOYAH.
posted by Andrhia at 8:09 PM on June 24, 2011


!
posted by cazoo at 8:09 PM on June 24, 2011


Well done New York!!!!!!!
posted by Long Way To Go at 8:09 PM on June 24, 2011


I kiss you!
posted by Divine_Wino at 8:10 PM on June 24, 2011 [2 favorites]


Obligatory.
posted by furiousxgeorge at 8:13 PM on June 24, 2011 [12 favorites]


congratulations new york!
posted by nadawi at 8:14 PM on June 24, 2011


Oh, how I love this happy, tickly, marvelous feeling! Congrats New York. Someone go spray some champagne on your Senators for me!
posted by mostlymartha at 8:14 PM on June 24, 2011


Good job NY!
posted by Flunkie at 8:15 PM on June 24, 2011


awesome! good job, New York!
posted by gursky at 8:15 PM on June 24, 2011


This is fantastic. But doing it through a Republican legislature is just showing off!

/Iowan
posted by East Manitoba Regional Junior Kabaddi Champion '94 at 8:15 PM on June 24, 2011 [4 favorites]


man, this is so much better than the episode of The Tudors I was planning on watching on TiVo...
posted by scody at 8:16 PM on June 24, 2011 [1 favorite]


Does the religious exemption have anything to say about stuff such as publicly funded Catholic adoption services?
posted by furiousxgeorge at 8:16 PM on June 24, 2011 [2 favorites]


>>I believe that what we are seeing here is a further sundering between the conservative states out West and the liberal states, which tend to be coastal...Even as liberal states increasingly enact progressive things--Ct now on verge of making pot legal; NY with gay marriage etc--other states are making abortion impossible, removing circumcision from being paid for, removing collective bargaining for public unions etc etc.

>Please don't do this.

>Every time you make a statement like this, you show your ignorance of the true nature of the country.


Particularly because all three states along the west coast do not have gay marriage, despite being plenty liberal by most measures, and at least one state with legal gay marriage being in the center of the country. It's way more complicated than some simplistic red/blue divide, or coastal/fly-over.

My guess is that this is going to fairly soon turn into an economic issue, where states without gay marriage are going to have a harder time retaining and attracting jobs from large companies, because those companies are very sensitive to their workforces. So even states that aren't on board with the "gay agenda" will hold their noses and vote yes in order to stay competitive in the marketplace. The tipping point might be only one or two more large states (Florida, maybe?) that play such outsized economic and social roles in the country.
posted by Forktine at 8:16 PM on June 24, 2011 [10 favorites]


Cuomo will be speaking about this soon - livestream.
posted by lullaby at 8:17 PM on June 24, 2011


Anyone want to take their best guess as to which state will be next?
posted by orange swan at 8:18 PM on June 24, 2011


THE BEST

OF ALL THINGS
posted by shakespeherian at 8:18 PM on June 24, 2011 [1 favorite]


To all the activists who worked so hard to make this happen: great job and congratulations!
posted by Kraftmatic Adjustable Cheese at 8:18 PM on June 24, 2011 [8 favorites]


man, this is so much better than the episode of The Tudors I was planning on watching on TiVo...

idk dude, Henry Cavill is ridiculously scorchingly fucking hot. MULTITASKING TIMES.

posted by elizardbits at 8:19 PM on June 24, 2011 [2 favorites]


.
For all the years that it took to get here.
.
For the people who couldn't marry until now or never had the chance to.
.
To hope for other states.
posted by sciencegeek at 8:20 PM on June 24, 2011 [6 favorites]


I love you, New York State, New York City. Not that I didn't already.
posted by blucevalo at 8:20 PM on June 24, 2011 [1 favorite]


I just started crying so hard that I'm having trouble breathing.

This happened just moments ago:

The Empire State Building.
posted by tzikeh at 8:20 PM on June 24, 2011 [87 favorites]


Anyone want to take their best guess as to which state will be next?

NUDITY
posted by Sticherbeast at 8:23 PM on June 24, 2011 [21 favorites]


Yes! Finally!
posted by StrikeTheViol at 8:23 PM on June 24, 2011


Excellent!
posted by R. Mutt at 8:23 PM on June 24, 2011


So nice.
posted by Sailormom at 8:23 PM on June 24, 2011


Just amazing. In tears and ready to plan LOT's of weddings!!! (not in NYC but will travel).

Happy Pride!!!!
posted by pearlybob at 8:24 PM on June 24, 2011


Start spreadin' the news...
posted by East Manitoba Regional Junior Kabaddi Champion '94 at 8:24 PM on June 24, 2011 [4 favorites]


And once again, the only cultural advantage to California is making a right on red. The balance of the universe is restored.

WELL DONE NOO YAWK
posted by Capt. Renault at 8:25 PM on June 24, 2011


Tzikeh, this isn't a subject that I get super worked up about, but after seeing that, I'm all teary too.
posted by restless_nomad at 8:25 PM on June 24, 2011


IT BEGINS
posted by The Whelk at 8:26 PM on June 24, 2011 [9 favorites]


Oh, damn... I'm gonna have to go to all these weddings now.

By which I mean: YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY!
posted by davidjmcgee at 8:26 PM on June 24, 2011 [2 favorites]


Capt. Renault: we have better burritos. (You have better pizza, though.)
posted by madcaptenor at 8:26 PM on June 24, 2011 [1 favorite]


Anyone want to take their best guess as to which state will be next?

NUDITY
posted by Sticherbeast at 8:23 PM on June 24 [+] [!]


My money's on intoxication!
posted by Space Kitty at 8:27 PM on June 24, 2011 [1 favorite]


Anyone want to take their best guess as to which state will be next?

NUDITY
posted by Sticherbeast at 8:23 PM on June 24 [+] [!]

My money's on intoxication!


but nudity will come after that.
posted by madcaptenor at 8:28 PM on June 24, 2011 [1 favorite]


Oh, the NEXT State?

New Jersey. Because right now you got a WHOLE LOT OF People who either live in New York and work in Jersey, or work in Jersey and live in New York, and this is gonna cause a whole lot of confusion.
posted by mikelieman at 8:28 PM on June 24, 2011 [3 favorites]


I hereby make a solemn vow to tear up and cry a little every time a state legalizes gay marriage, because apparently that's what I am going to do anyway.

HUZZAH!
posted by WidgetAlley at 8:29 PM on June 24, 2011 [9 favorites]


My money's on intoxication!

using the last few years of pride as a data point, my vote is PANTSLESSNESS
posted by elizardbits at 8:30 PM on June 24, 2011 [4 favorites]


From Twitter: "Okay, gay New Yorkers, stop having sex until they propose. It's called "making them buy the cow." I'll explain later."
posted by ColdChef at 8:30 PM on June 24, 2011 [24 favorites]


When will Jersey permit marriage between a man and a Situation?
posted by East Manitoba Regional Junior Kabaddi Champion '94 at 8:30 PM on June 24, 2011 [8 favorites]


Governor Andrew Cuomo is speaking right now: "New York made a powerful statement, not just for the people of New York, but for the people all across the nation. We reached a new level of social justice this evening."
posted by flyingsquirrel at 8:31 PM on June 24, 2011 [3 favorites]


I can finally make the rational argument that if they like it they should put a ring on it.

but not a ring cause I work with one on

I can wear it on a necklace

or an earring

whatever

posted by The Whelk at 8:32 PM on June 24, 2011 [3 favorites]


I feel like the key to working out which state is next is in here somewhere, but for the life of me I can't parse it out right now.
posted by Andrhia at 8:33 PM on June 24, 2011


WHO WANTS TO GO GET GAY MARRIED???!

NOT GAY. BUT CAUGHT UP IN THE MOMENT, SO NOW'S YOUR CHANCE
posted by auto-correct at 8:35 PM on June 24, 2011 [4 favorites]


East Manitoba Regional Junior Kabaddi Champion '94: "When will Jersey permit marriage between a man and a Situation"

In other words, when will bromance become jumping the brom??
posted by Joakim Ziegler at 8:36 PM on June 24, 2011 [1 favorite]


Maybe Nevada? I mean, there's a long history of people going to Vegas to get married.
posted by madcaptenor at 8:36 PM on June 24, 2011


I ♥ NY
posted by Freen at 8:37 PM on June 24, 2011 [1 favorite]


This is AMAZING and FANTASTIC
posted by chaff at 8:37 PM on June 24, 2011 [1 favorite]


madcaptenor: I feel like there's an awful lot of Mormon money just waiting to lobby against it in Nevada. So dangerously close to their doorstep!

Though Nevada does at least have civil unions already.
posted by Andrhia at 8:40 PM on June 24, 2011


Maybe Nevada? I mean, there's a long history of people going to Vegas to get married.

You'd think Nevada would have been the first state to allow gay marriage!
posted by orange swan at 8:41 PM on June 24, 2011


There is a God.
posted by caddis at 8:41 PM on June 24, 2011


YEAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Faith in humanity to come around....PAYING OFF!
posted by troublewithwolves at 8:43 PM on June 24, 2011


Man, I'm so pleased about this, I could totally go gay just to get gay married in New York.

If it weren't for that whole having-sex-with-guys-thing, I mean. Otherwise, totally on board.
posted by Capt. Renault at 8:43 PM on June 24, 2011


So, so happy to be proven wrong. I didn't think they'd do it.
posted by mediareport at 8:45 PM on June 24, 2011


If anyone needs a flowerswan for their fab gay New York wedding, I will be willing to step up. I don't get enough chances to wear my swan costume.
posted by orange swan at 8:46 PM on June 24, 2011 [7 favorites]


Finally some fucking GOOD NEWS for a change! Wish I were gay and in NY and engaged today. Good job, NY!
posted by theredpen at 8:47 PM on June 24, 2011 [1 favorite]


Way to go, New York! I hope that Pennsylvania doesn't shame me for too many more years yet.
posted by Chrysostom at 8:47 PM on June 24, 2011 [1 favorite]


Who were the 29? What 29 representatives had the guts to announce with their votes that they believe some Americans should have less rights? Names.

Isn't this the first question on the I-want-to-run-for-public-office form? That the candidate believes all Americans deserve the same rights?

Why aren't these people asked, "Hey (Bachmann/Palin/Obama) don't you think that all tax-paying Americans deserve to receive the same rights and recognition from the American government?" What are they going to say? No? Grrrrrrr.

Also, can a married gay couple please move to a state where their marriage isn't recognized, then sue, then take it all the way to the Supreme Court so this can be federal? Please?

These people need to be forced to evolve.

/anger at why this is still an issue in the 21st century
posted by CarlRossi at 8:47 PM on June 24, 2011 [8 favorites]


....I know a couple who've been together for nearly 20 years, and I've consistently pointed to them as one of the strongest couples I know.

I'm thrilled they actually can get married now (and I BETTER get an invite).
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 8:48 PM on June 24, 2011


I can only imagine all of the awkward gay high fives happening in New York right now.
posted by willie11 at 8:48 PM on June 24, 2011 [3 favorites]


this rules.
posted by brevator at 8:49 PM on June 24, 2011


If you can make it here, you can make it anywhere.
posted by AsYouKnow Bob at 8:49 PM on June 24, 2011 [1 favorite]


Fucking amazing!!!!! What a gift for Pride!
posted by Craig at 8:50 PM on June 24, 2011


Can you imagine the atmosphere in the gay bars in New York right now? I'm getting an energy buzz just thinking about it.
posted by orange swan at 8:50 PM on June 24, 2011


It's always amusing seeing the right-wing web weighing in on events like these.

Front page of news-leader The Drudge Report:

Gay marriage vote in NY... Developing...
Details... 

                ANGRY PROTESTS DISRUPT U2 CONCERT
                         DRUDGE REPORT


Front page of Bizarro-World Huffington Post Fox Nation:
Gov. Christie 'We Are Putting the
People First,' Wins Big Against
N.J.'s Unions
______________________________
Will Delta Ban Jews   Gingrich on President  MD Becomes First State to
From Saudi Flights?   Obama's Threat         Require Environmental Literacy
That Fox headline is about something that happened yesterday, btw.

At least Freepers are acknowledging this happened, if only to get their jeremiads on.
posted by Rhaomi at 8:52 PM on June 24, 2011


Every time you make a statement like this, you show your ignorance of the true nature of the country.

To be fair, it's true that we have had some serious setbacks on this score in the past year, which seem to underscore the dominant RED/BLUE DIVIDE narrative.

The truth is that progress rarely proceeds in a straight line -- there's some staggering along the way. But this is one more big step forward toward the destination we will certainly reach. It's a matter of time, certainly... but we will all reach it in this country, one way or another.

the only cultural advantage to California is making a right on red.

Oh my god, our Mexican food can so beat up your Mexican food, are you kidding?
posted by scody at 8:53 PM on June 24, 2011 [6 favorites]


You know what this means? Jobs, people! The wedding industry in NY is going to be hiring like crazy, so dust off those resumes!
posted by rtha at 8:55 PM on June 24, 2011 [2 favorites]


so dust off those resumes!

....Party down?
posted by The Whelk at 8:57 PM on June 24, 2011 [1 favorite]


Fox News seems almost....wistful?

The effects of the law could be felt well beyond New York: Unlike Massachusetts, which pioneered gay marriage in 2004, New York has no residency requirement for obtaining a marriage license, meaning the state could become a magnet for gay couples across the country who want to have a wedding in Central Park, the Hamptons, the romantic Hudson Valley or that honeymoon hot spot of yore, Niagara Falls.

Oh, go on you crazy conservagays...we want you to be happy too. To New York!!
posted by contessa at 8:57 PM on June 24, 2011 [11 favorites]


Hip! Hip! Hurray!
posted by brundlefly at 8:59 PM on June 24, 2011


the romantic Hudson Valley

Oooooo, represent!

(I live there.)
posted by flyingsquirrel at 8:59 PM on June 24, 2011 [3 favorites]


the only cultural advantage to California is making a right on red.


This is a famous quote from Annie Hall, just in case anyone's confused on this. I imagine Woody Allen even know would complain about indigestion when asked to compare NY/CA Mexican food, although yes, of course it's better ( currently in California eating as much Mexican as possible, since I live in New York)
posted by sweetkid at 9:00 PM on June 24, 2011 [1 favorite]


This is a famous quote from Annie Hall, just in case anyone's confused on this.

Yes, we get Woody Allen films out here, too, darling. MWAH! I kiss you, you crazy East Coast type.

posted by scody at 9:02 PM on June 24, 2011 [4 favorites]


anybody have links for video of the speeches?
posted by TheCoug at 9:04 PM on June 24, 2011


The Towleroad post linked above has this to say about the legislature's attempt to make the religious amendments "non-severable" from the marriage rights part:

Finally, there is something called "severability." One of the amendments requires that the law remain unseverable, so if one part is found to be unconstitutional, the whole law goes down as unconstitutional. In other words, if one part of the law is held unconstitutional (ie., a religious exemption), then the entire thing is unconstitutional. A court can't "sever" the bad parts from the good parts....

UPDATE: ...I neglected to mention that nonseverability clauses are not sacrosanct. For this omission, I must apologize; I did not do any research on severability before posting. A loyal reader -- LdS -- reminded me of United States v. Jackson, a case we teach in Federal Courts, where one part of a statute was served from the whole even with a nonseverability clause. It happens quite a bit, and yet legislatures still sneak it in there. In the end, I don't think these amendments are worrisome. There is potentially broad language, but none of that language does anything to obscure the main point here: this is a HUGE step toward allowing us to marry!

posted by mediareport at 9:04 PM on June 24, 2011


I wish I were a lesbian so I could go to New York in July and get married JUST TO PISS OFF THE CONSERVATIVE REPUBLICANS.

Oh man, Chicago Pride is going to be so sweet on Sunday. Weather forecast is for thunderstorms, but folks will just turn it into a wet t-shirt contest or something. As I always say: when life hands you lemons, strip off and fuck in public.
posted by tzikeh at 9:05 PM on June 24, 2011 [5 favorites]


LOVE WINS
posted by louche mustachio at 9:05 PM on June 24, 2011 [6 favorites]


Matt & Co: How about adding "gay spouse" to the relationship options in our contacts?
posted by marxchivist at 9:05 PM on June 24, 2011


I will gay spouse all of you.
posted by louche mustachio at 9:07 PM on June 24, 2011 [2 favorites]


Because "spouse" is all that's necessary now!
posted by ColdChef at 9:07 PM on June 24, 2011 [17 favorites]


*smooch*
posted by louche mustachio at 9:07 PM on June 24, 2011


This is happy, happy news when I really needed it.
posted by brundlefly at 9:10 PM on June 24, 2011


How about we have the options "spouse" and "straight spouse"?
posted by madcaptenor at 9:10 PM on June 24, 2011 [12 favorites]


Yes, we get Woody Allen films out here, too, darling. MWAH! I kiss you, you crazy East Coast type.
posted by scody at 12:02 AM on June 25 [1 favorite −] Favorite added! [!]


Aw, I didn't mean you specifically! Anyway, yay Marriage Equality!
posted by sweetkid at 9:11 PM on June 24, 2011


Best comment so far :

@pattonoswalt: Oh dear God -- 2 huge gay men just kicked in my door and are forcing me to marry Lance Bass! #whathaveidone #heskindacutethough
posted by lattiboy at 9:11 PM on June 24, 2011 [19 favorites]




From random people on Twitter:

"Seriously. 40 yrs ago LGBT people were being hauled out of the Stonewall for EXISTING. Now they are outside it celebrating openly! #miracles"

"Trying really hard to somehow make this gay marriage victory about me. Maybe the hubs will let me do him in the butt."

"At stonewall. Just sang the star spangled banner on the train with strangers."
*cries*

"Oh Jesus Christ, now even gay men in New York are going to be getting married before I will. THANKS A LOT, AMERICA."

""so when are you going to get married?!" every gay dude's mom, starting now #newyork"

"The party is just getting started here in the Village tonight. Periodic cheers of celebration, floodlights, music ramping up."

Also? Apparently, gay bacon exists. We really are living in the future.
posted by Asparagirl at 9:13 PM on June 24, 2011 [6 favorites]


How about we have the options "spouse" and "straight spouse"?

But what about the bisexuals?
posted by mikelieman at 9:14 PM on June 24, 2011


RT @gannettalbany: Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed #samesexmarriage bill at 11:55 p.m.
posted by mikelieman at 9:16 PM on June 24, 2011 [4 favorites]


okay so i have a feeling right now. i grew up in new jersey, and then new york, and then lived in connecticut for five years, and then went to new york, and then left for massachusetts, went back, and finally left again to live in minnesota. it's been a lot of moving in my short-lived adult life.

seeing this pass made me feel like new york is my home.

that's the feeling i have, and it's a good one.
posted by entropone at 9:16 PM on June 24, 2011


According to Julie Bolcer of The Advocate
Gov. Cuomo signed the marriage equality bill into law at 11:55 p.m. The law goes into effect on July 24.

Also, Sen. Grisanti's inspiring speech before he voted in the affirmative.
posted by ob1quixote at 9:16 PM on June 24, 2011 [7 favorites]


From the other New York thread, but it goes here as well.


Damn straight right it's time.
posted by louche mustachio at 9:16 PM on June 24, 2011


How about we have the options "spouse" and "straight spouse"?

But what about the bisexuals?

They can pick both.
posted by madcaptenor at 9:17 PM on June 24, 2011 [1 favorite]


But what about the bisexuals?

We could go with s'pose?
posted by evidenceofabsence at 9:17 PM on June 24, 2011 [1 favorite]


Congratulations, fellow citizens!
posted by toodleydoodley at 9:18 PM on June 24, 2011


There is a God.
I tend to think that credit for this should go to the legislators, activists, and voters.
Why aren't these people asked, "Hey (Bachmann/Palin/Obama) don't you think that all tax-paying Americans deserve to receive the same rights and recognition from the American government?" What are they going to say? No? Grrrrrrr.
Standard replies from the Bachmann-Palin types include, but are not limited to, "We do all have the same right - the right to marry a member of the opposite sex as God intended." The idea that Bachmann, Palin, and their ilk can be reasoned out of their positions on matters like these strikes me as totally ludicrous. No offense.

Obama, on the other hand, says that we all (should) have the right to equal protection under the law via civil unions, and has also said something like his thoughts on gay marriage per se are are evolving.
posted by Flunkie at 9:20 PM on June 24, 2011


As a heterosexual New Yorker, I'm proud of the people of my state.

And I'm even happier to know that my wife's uncle and partner of 26 years can finally make legal something they made official decades ago.

Now, anyone else want to join those of us who've been in this here "21st century" for more than a fucking decade?!
posted by Bathtub Bobsled at 9:21 PM on June 24, 2011 [3 favorites]


Is there video of the crowd chanting USA! USA! as the bill passed?!!
posted by cashman at 9:22 PM on June 24, 2011 [2 favorites]


But what about the bisexuals?

They're crossing their fingers Utah will join the party.
posted by Bathtub Bobsled at 9:22 PM on June 24, 2011


From SNL's Seth Meyer's Twitter: "In the last 10 minutes I've had 100 missed calls from Stefon."
posted by ColdChef at 9:22 PM on June 24, 2011 [15 favorites]


I invite all of the New York legislators who voted for this bill to move to Minnesota in the next year in order to help us defeat the Bradlee Dean amendment.

Actually, you know what I'd really like? To see that fucking amendment demolished in the same election that votes in a legislature that will repeal and reverse Minnesota's anti-gay-marriage laws in the first bills introduced. That's what I really want.
posted by nickmark at 9:28 PM on June 24, 2011 [3 favorites]


Wow! Way to go NY !!

I'm so looking forward to tons of links to wedding pics.
posted by marsha56 at 9:28 PM on June 24, 2011


Wow...
posted by a humble nudibranch at 9:28 PM on June 24, 2011


Wahooooooooo!
posted by rachaelfaith at 9:29 PM on June 24, 2011


Steve Martin and Alec Baldwin have always been great together. Now they're making it official.

I have so much love for Twitter tonight.
posted by tzikeh at 9:31 PM on June 24, 2011 [10 favorites]


Attention Brides: If *I* was thinking about a wedding gown, there is only one worthy of consideration.

The Justin Alexander 8465
posted by mikelieman at 9:32 PM on June 24, 2011 [1 favorite]


I really didn't think this was going to happen. But I have been wrong before!

Congratulations, New York, and the rest of this country.
posted by Curious Artificer at 9:33 PM on June 24, 2011


THAT'S MY DRESS YOU BITCH
posted by nickmark at 9:33 PM on June 24, 2011 [8 favorites]


Just back from the gay bar 'round the corner. The owner was giving out pizza and the liquor was quite free-flowing. My head hurts. YAY NEW YORK.
posted by ThePinkSuperhero at 9:36 PM on June 24, 2011 [4 favorites]


Cher and Cher alike


Revelers outside Stonewall Inn.
posted by louche mustachio at 9:43 PM on June 24, 2011


Is there video of the crowd chanting USA! USA! as the bill passed?!!

Here it is.
posted by av123 at 9:44 PM on June 24, 2011 [1 favorite]


wooohooo! Go New York! One of my pastors can finally have her marriage recognized and embraced by the state that she lives in. This is great. A very happy happy day.
posted by Stynxno at 9:49 PM on June 24, 2011 [1 favorite]


!!!
posted by LobsterMitten at 9:52 PM on June 24, 2011


Just in time for the Pride parade. NY, SF is happy for you. And a little jealous. But good on you. DAMN but it's nice to have some good news!
posted by smirkette at 9:58 PM on June 24, 2011


Woot!
posted by gamera at 10:00 PM on June 24, 2011


I just said to my 7-year-old daughter "today is an important day." She said "why?" And I said "because if a boy loves a girl, or a boy loves a boy, or a girl loves a boy, or a girl loves a girl, there's now another state where they can get married and make a family. Isn't that wonderful?" And she was all "well, DUH, why *wouldn't* they be able to?"
posted by Lulu's Pink Converse at 10:04 PM on June 24, 2011 [32 favorites]


Wait, so there is no residency requirement.

Love Canal will start seeing a booming industry of ironic weddings, instead of just superfund dollars.
posted by mrzarquon at 10:14 PM on June 24, 2011 [2 favorites]


Awesome! And everyone go google "stonewall"!
posted by sexymofo at 10:14 PM on June 24, 2011 [2 favorites]


One thing I've been enjoying about living in the future; watching play-by-play reactions to history changing events by people I care about here.

It's really pretty neat.

Also: Yay!
posted by quin at 10:15 PM on June 24, 2011 [5 favorites]


video of the crowd chanting USA! USA! as the bill passed

This video should be used as further proof that gays and liberals are not merely stereotypical, arugula-eating, godless elitists. I mean, look. When we're thrilled about our country, we do the same dumb shit as everyone else!
posted by evidenceofabsence at 10:17 PM on June 24, 2011 [15 favorites]


Thank you NY!
posted by robstercraw at 10:18 PM on June 24, 2011


Finally, we do something right in this state I was born in, and live in. About fucking time.
posted by dbiedny at 10:22 PM on June 24, 2011 [1 favorite]


Favorite tweets:

Progress is my favorite part about being a progressive.

Tonight, I saw the start of a lot of great families, a lot of great marriages, and people who are going to raise a lot of great kids.

Dear America: It Gets Better. Love, New York

posted by marsha56 at 10:25 PM on June 24, 2011 [8 favorites]


video of the crowd chanting USA! USA! as the bill passed

I like to think that that's not a general celebration chant -- it's actually a clarion call to the rest OF the USA to "join us".
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 10:27 PM on June 24, 2011 [4 favorites]


I ♥ NY. Will somebody please invite me to their wedding? I promise to bring my own chair!
posted by Soliloquy at 10:49 PM on June 24, 2011


This makes me happy.

Full marks, New York.

(Hey Australia - since we follow America in pop culture and wars, how about we follow 'em here too?)
posted by twirlypen at 10:51 PM on June 24, 2011 [2 favorites]


Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful!
posted by Surfurrus at 10:58 PM on June 24, 2011


my inner -- much younger -- queer wants to cry.
posted by de at 10:59 PM on June 24, 2011




This weekend, everybody little bit gay!
posted by evidenceofabsence at 11:09 PM on June 24, 2011


Very interesting Google behavior!

works: gay, queer, homosexuality, drag queen
doesn't work: homo, fag
posted by Meatbomb at 11:10 PM on June 24, 2011 [2 favorites]


Weeping. I love New York and here's one more reason to do so.
posted by grubi at 11:14 PM on June 24, 2011


I just wanted to say good luck. We're all counting on you.
posted by It's Raining Florence Henderson at 11:25 PM on June 24, 2011 [3 favorites]


Straight Chicago guy here. Good on you New York. We can do this, Illinois, lets get going!
posted by MarvinTheCat at 11:30 PM on June 24, 2011 [1 favorite]


Hmm... maybe it's time for me to go MrMoonPie and marry a whole heck of a lot of people.

So proud to be a NYer right now.
posted by Eideteker at 11:44 PM on June 24, 2011


Hey Australia - since we follow America in pop culture and wars, how about we follow 'em here too?

Follow what? Between HEROC, the Same-Sex Relationships (Equal Treatment in Commonwealth Laws—General Law Reform) Act of 2008 and the recognition of same-sex "de facto" relationships in all of the states there's really not a lot left to do. Some states still need adoption and access to IVF but in a practical sense you can function almost the same as a married couple in Australian society.

The only thing left for gays to get is proper marriage (i.e in name only) and mopping up what's left of the equal rights on the list to give in all states and even that's a matter of if not when given the current climate of the legislature and the electorate.

Compared to the situation in the US where even married couples are still discriminated against by federal and other state agencies care of DOMA, state constitutional amendments and the like and Australia is light years ahead of the US in this game.

That being said, congrats to New York. 6 down, 44 to go!
posted by Talez at 11:46 PM on June 24, 2011


How about we have the options "spouse" and "straight spouse"?

But what about the bisexuals?


"funspouse"?

Thanks NY, we knew you had it in you.
posted by ryoshu at 11:49 PM on June 24, 2011


Congrats to everyone! And I mean everyone. Especially my brothers and sisters now finally receiving their fundamental rights, but everyone else as well. We are all more free today.
posted by Navelgazer at 11:58 PM on June 24, 2011 [2 favorites]


Thank you letters to the 33 Senators?
posted by cheerwine at 11:59 PM on June 24, 2011


Drinking in solidarity and celebration. Cheers to all people of New York.
posted by PROD_TPSL at 12:00 AM on June 25, 2011


Bloody goddamn brilliant.
posted by EatTheWeek at 12:19 AM on June 25, 2011


Amazing that none of the Republican senators that voted against the bill had the stones to make a speech on the floor of the senate before the vote. Like they knew they were wrong, but were too scared of being primary'd.
posted by auto-correct at 12:45 AM on June 25, 2011 [2 favorites]


I just did some quick population math. According to the 2010 US census, the six previous jurisdictions that have full marriage equality (CT, VT, NH, MA, IA, and D.C.) have a total population of ~15.5 million people. NY has a population of 19.5 million people. It may be just one state, but this vote has more than doubled the number of people who have access to full marriage equality.
posted by KathrynT at 1:09 AM on June 25, 2011 [18 favorites]


"In four days it will have been 42 years since the Stonewall riots. Progress happens."

As a queer person in their 20s, I really want to fly to New York right now and hug every queer person I can find over 60. THANK YOU. This is such a massive change from institutionalized thuggish harassment to open celebration within a single generation; I only hope I can be a small part of something that affects half as much positive change on the world for my kids and theirs.

The picture of the Empire State Building made me lose it, this is so fucking cool.
Hell, this comment took me a half hour longer than it should have to write with so much stuff getting in my eyes
posted by Blasdelb at 1:15 AM on June 25, 2011 [16 favorites]


But what about the bisexuals?

Apparently we wait until sometime around the 51st century.
posted by desuetude at 1:24 AM on June 25, 2011 [1 favorite]


great news well done new york
posted by 404 Not Found at 1:26 AM on June 25, 2011


To some of our friends at Free Republic, gays' motivations seem surprisingly Republican: "Imagine all those old chicken hawks marrying young butt boys to lower their taxes. Watch it happen on the federal level before the election."
posted by orthogonality at 1:30 AM on June 25, 2011 [1 favorite]


Lovely, wonderful, happy, great!
posted by goofyfoot at 2:02 AM on June 25, 2011


Congratulations New York!

You are now 50% of the way to becoming Spider-Skull Island.
posted by ArmyOfKittens at 2:26 AM on June 25, 2011 [5 favorites]


LOVE WINS
posted by louche mustachio at 9:05 PM on June 24


[Mortal Kombat voice]
EQUALITY!
posted by NMcCoy at 2:37 AM on June 25, 2011 [5 favorites]


Crying tears of joy right now. Only 44 states to go people, LETS DO THIS!
posted by TheCoug at 2:40 AM on June 25, 2011


Well done, NY!

(When Virginia finally okays SSM, I promise that --- inspired by MrMoonPie! --- I will try to get certified as a marriage celebrant. Unfortunately, it doesn't look like I need to hurry :( )
posted by easily confused at 2:57 AM on June 25, 2011


Bill Maher announced the vote live on his show and the resulting roar from the studio audience nearly blew out my speakers.
posted by hippybear at 3:00 AM on June 25, 2011 [2 favorites]


!
posted by drezdn at 3:48 AM on June 25, 2011


! indeed
This is wonderful news. Well, done New York!
posted by pointystick at 3:52 AM on June 25, 2011


I just did some quick population math. According to the 2010 US census, the six previous jurisdictions that have full marriage equality (CT, VT, NH, MA, IA, and D.C.) have a total population of ~15.5 million people. NY has a population of 19.5 million people. It may be just one state, but this vote has more than doubled the number of people who have access to full marriage equality.

I did the same, but with a twist. With this new vote, there are more people in the US how have access to full marriage equality than in Canada.

NOW WHAT AM I SUPPOSED TO FEEL SUPERIOR ABOUT? GODDAMN IT!

But seriously. Congratulations!
posted by Lemurrhea at 3:58 AM on June 25, 2011 [5 favorites]


Nice to wake up to some Good News!!! (That is if I close my eyes and pretend I didn't see that post just below.)

Anyone want to take their best guess as to which state will be next?


Nevada is a good guess, but what about the other New Englanders? Where do Delaware, Rhode Island, and Maryland stand?
posted by Secret Life of Gravy at 4:23 AM on June 25, 2011


I wonder which innocent people Conservative Christian Jesus is going to kill with a natural disaster over this outrage.

(Seriously, well done, New York!)
posted by Legomancer at 4:35 AM on June 25, 2011


YAYYYYYYYYYYY!!!!! Glad to hear it:-)
posted by mermayd at 4:44 AM on June 25, 2011


I just woke up, and immediately returned to this thread to catch up. It's like having a cup of happy instead of coffee!
posted by flyingsquirrel at 4:56 AM on June 25, 2011 [5 favorites]


This was very good news to wake up to. Congrats to everyone. Because allowing people to commit to long-term, stable relationships with the person they love is a Good Thing. Whee.
posted by sandraregina at 5:11 AM on June 25, 2011


I do wish it had happened in time for my cousin from VERY EXTRA RURAL NY who had the stones to go and marry her girlfriend anyway in Connecticut last year. (They're expecting, now, too -- more to celebrate.)

I want to know whose tweet that was -- progress is my favorite thing about being a progressive as well. Well said.
posted by theredpen at 5:44 AM on June 25, 2011


Love Wins. That is all.
posted by nj_subgenius at 6:03 AM on June 25, 2011


Nicely done, New York, take a hundred out of petty cash and go buy yourself something nice.
posted by Purposeful Grimace at 6:07 AM on June 25, 2011 [3 favorites]


I'm so so so so so so happy about this, and proud of New York. I was celebrating last night on my own but I wished that I could have been back in the city for the crazy party that no doubt went down.

And, I'm impressed that the Empire-State-Building-Color-Officer can work on such short notice. (was it short notice? maybe I'm just not paying close enough attention).

Anyway, YES!!!
posted by milestogo at 6:15 AM on June 25, 2011


Looks like the lights were planned ahead of time for Pride Week. Still amazing though.
posted by gubo at 6:19 AM on June 25, 2011 [1 favorite]


!

There is a teeny, astro-projected part of my mom-jeans, in-by-ten self that is very happily hungover and covered in street confetti from dancing in front of Stonewall all night long.

This is where I came first, this morning, for party afterglow.
posted by rumposinc at 6:21 AM on June 25, 2011 [1 favorite]


You know, it just occurred to me to wonder what would have happened in the East Village had gay marriage *not* passed the New York Senate.

It's fun, try it.
posted by mediareport at 6:21 AM on June 25, 2011


Some day this amazement will be in the past tense, and the children won't understand their history books and will gather and ask us to tell stories about the dark times, but to those lived through it, that got to see history happen right in front of them, the amazement will never go away. This is some Martin-Luther-King-in-D.C. Berlin-Wall-sledgehammer style history going on here, people.
posted by Civil_Disobedient at 6:22 AM on June 25, 2011 [3 favorites]


I absolutely love that closet case Matt Drudge still hasn't reported the news. Totally hilarious.
posted by mediareport at 6:26 AM on June 25, 2011 [4 favorites]




This means I'll never have to leave gay-marriage territory during the the long ride from Massachusetts to Rochester tomorrow. Gonna spend a lot of time gazing happily out the windows, and I know what I'm going to toast on Sunday evening. And then in just a week I'll be celebrating at a friend's wedding back home. This is a good time to live.

Hey, Texas! I'm coming to visit in October. Get with the 21st Century! Don't make me break my streak!
posted by Songdog at 6:37 AM on June 25, 2011


Congrats, New Yorkers. Hooray!
posted by Pre-Taped Call In Show at 7:46 AM on June 25, 2011


Oh man, my email inbox is so full of inadvertently hilarious homophobic garbage from Upstate relatives.
posted by Sticherbeast at 7:58 AM on June 25, 2011




And to think, the Republican party ran an entire presidential campaign in 2004 centered around whipping up evangelicals to ban gay marriage in order to get a president re-elected.

Yeah, you've still got a few dead enders who think stopping gay marriage is somehow important or serious, but for the most part, even Republicans have moved on and are no longer pretending that gay marriage is going to end civilization.

It's like now that the Republicans got what they needed to get out of opposing gay marriage, they realize that there are no more votes to be had by trying to stop it, and they've moved on.

It is a reminder that the "values voters" of 2004 who told us that supporting George W Bush was one of the most important things we could do to save us from the huge tragedy of gays being allowed to marry have pretty much wasted their time and their lives. All that time, all that effort, and it was only so that they could be used like dupes and fools over something that Republicans didn't even really care about just so that we could maintain tax cuts and keep us in Iraq longer: and in the end, those voters are left with nothing: not rich enough to benefit from the tax cuts, and their support of Republicans led to the collapse of the economy, causing them to lose their jobs and hurting future opportunities for their children, while gays around the country are allowed to get married. That was the high water mark of their political lives, and for nothing.
posted by deanc at 8:04 AM on June 25, 2011 [16 favorites]


Congratulations, NYC!
posted by Halloween Jack at 8:07 AM on June 25, 2011


Start spreadin' the news!
posted by grubi at 8:11 AM on June 25, 2011 [2 favorites]


So, NYC, how are the hangovers this morning? :-) Remember to take lots of pictures of the weddings. I can't be there to celebrate with y'all, but I love weddings, so remember the pictures!
posted by Devils Rancher at 8:30 AM on June 25, 2011


Props to my State Senator Mark Grisanti, a Republican whose change of heart on this bill was crucial to its passing. Thank you for not being intimidated by the ignorant haters, Senator.
posted by Eyebeams at 8:33 AM on June 25, 2011 [4 favorites]


wow, awesome.

I am sat here, 3459.34 miles away, and I can feel the joy from here. Congratulations to all who have worked so tirelessly for this (and equality) through all the years. The "Stonewall is 42 years ago in 4 days" quote above is amazing. 42 years, and then this!! hurrah!
posted by marienbad at 8:47 AM on June 25, 2011 [1 favorite]


"Very interesting Google behavior!

works: gay, queer, homosexuality, drag queen
doesn't work: homo, fag"
posted by Meatbomb at 7:10 AM

Fantastic that it doesn't work on the more abusive terms. Good for Google (and I don't say that often!)
posted by marienbad at 8:56 AM on June 25, 2011 [1 favorite]


I really thought ten years ago that there was no chance so many places would legalize gay marriage. I am so glad I was wrong.
posted by lesbiassparrow at 8:56 AM on June 25, 2011


Empire State Building a few days ago.
posted by Eyebeams at 9:08 AM on June 25, 2011 [1 favorite]


I honestly believed this wasn't going to pass. YAY!
posted by Malice at 9:17 AM on June 25, 2011


About time. I'm proud to be a New Yorker.

Wooooooo.
posted by defenestration at 9:23 AM on June 25, 2011


Yeah, you've still got a few dead enders who think stopping gay marriage is somehow important or serious, but for the most part, even Republicans have moved on and are no longer pretending that gay marriage is going to end civilization.
I think this is overstating the case. Four Republicans voted for this.

Kudos to those four. But almost 90% of Republicans voted against it. I don't know whether or not that 90% of Republicans are "dead enders" or whether or not they think that stopping it is "important or serious", but I do know that they voted to stop it.
posted by Flunkie at 9:28 AM on June 25, 2011


I don't know whether or not that 90% of Republicans are "dead enders" or whether or not they think that stopping it is "important or serious", but I do know that they voted to stop it.

Here's the thing: Republicans control the Senate. They could have simply not brought this up for a vote. But they did bring it up for a vote, and they likely knew it would pass, meaning that if they really wanted to stop gay marriage, they could have. The Republicans voting against it were doing so to give themselves cover, enabling them to go back to the interest groups opposing gay marriage, throw up their hands, and say, "What can we do? We were outvoted!" all the while knowing that they were pretty much fine with the outcome and weren't going to press the issue any further.
posted by deanc at 9:42 AM on June 25, 2011 [7 favorites]


Here is the text of the new NY Marriage Equality Act (apologies if this was already posted).
posted by Eyebeams at 10:03 AM on June 25, 2011


From page 4 of the act: "No application for a marriage license shall be denied on the ground that the parties are of the same, or a different, sex." Why is "or a different" necessary here? Is this to stop town clerks from saying "screw this, if gays can get married then we're just not giving marriage licenses to anybody?"

IANAL.
posted by madcaptenor at 10:39 AM on June 25, 2011


Is this to stop town clerks from saying "screw this, if gays can get married then we're just not giving marriage licenses to anybody?"

It may very well be; there was one county clerk in California who did exactly that during the time we had SSM here (aka The Interregnum of Fabulousness).
posted by scody at 10:44 AM on June 25, 2011


Every wedding planner, cake artist, tailor, and divorce lawyer is rejoicing as well at this moment.
posted by Renoroc at 10:47 AM on June 25, 2011 [2 favorites]


And it takes effect on my birthday!!! There's going to be some boozing and yelling on that day to celebrate this and myself you can be sure.
posted by josher71 at 10:51 AM on June 25, 2011


From Obsidian Wings: a poster of the Statue of Liberty joyously kissing Lady Justice.
posted by cybercoitus interruptus at 12:03 PM on June 25, 2011 [1 favorite]


Columbia always gets left out of the Anthropomorphic Female Representative game.
posted by The Whelk at 12:28 PM on June 25, 2011 [2 favorites]


Columbia always gets left out of the Anthropomorphic Female Representative game.

Well, with Columbia pining after Eddie all the time, of course Magenta and Janet get all the attention.
posted by hippybear at 12:43 PM on June 25, 2011 [8 favorites]


Oh Brad.
posted by The Whelk at 12:49 PM on June 25, 2011 [5 favorites]




Neil Patrick Harris, David Burtka To Marry: Gay Marriage Passage Enables Stars To Wed
"Burtka then gave the big news in a tweet to a fan. 'I've already purposed, he said yes! Thank god!' he wrote, before adding, 'he proposed to me as well. I said yes! Thank god!'

Of course, it only makes sense that the pair should be allowed to marry; together for at least five years, the pair are fathers to fraternal twins, Gideon Scott and Harper Grace, born via surrogate in October 2010.

Congratulations to the happy couple, and all the other loving pairs finally granted equal rights in New York State."
posted by ericb at 1:56 PM on June 25, 2011 [2 favorites]


As a queer person in their 20s, I really want to fly to New York right now and hug every queer person I can find over 60. THANK YOU. This is such a massive change from institutionalized thuggish harassment to open celebration within a single generation; I only hope I can be a small part of something that affects half as much positive change on the world for my kids and theirs.

Glenn Greenwald:
"My reaction to last night's enactment of same-sex marriage by the New York State legislature is more personal than political, so I'll defer to Andrew Sullivan -- one of the nation's earliest advocates of gay marriage -- to explain its significance. But I can't let this rare genuine political progress go unmentioned, so I will share one reaction: in 1991, when I was a first-year law student at NYU, I regularly attended, for about a year, meetings and demonstrations of ACT-UP. I was a passive observer, but very impressed and inspired by the unyielding refusal of gay men with AIDS in that era (in indispensable conjunction with lesbian activists) to passively accept their consigned fate and their status as marginalized, condemned outcasts: the expertise in politics and medicine they developed, the creative and brave civil disobedience they pioneered, and the force of collective will they mustered under the most trying of circumstances was nothing short of extraordinary.

The first meeting I ever went to was attended by Tom Duane, who spoke to the group. At the time, Duane was seeking to become not only the first openly gay man elected to the New York City Council, but one of the first openly HIV-positive candidates to be elected to any political office. Remarkably, Duane won, went on to be elected to the State Senate in 1998, and last night -- 20 years older and now a veteran establishment Democratic lawmaker in Albany -- he was at the emotional center of that vote. It's hard to describe how inconceivable such an event was back in 1991 -- it was barely the end of the Reagan era, when 'gay' and 'AIDS' were still unmentionable in much decent company and much of gay activism was more about finding a way to survive (literally) than anything else -- but the fact that this amazingly improbable event just happened should (like the events in the Middle East) serve as a potent antidote against defeatism. Significant and seemingly impossible social and political change happens more often than we think, and it happens more rapidly than we realize. Even the most momentous change is always possible if one finds the right way to make it happen."
posted by ericb at 2:09 PM on June 25, 2011 [9 favorites]




*and come
posted by ericb at 2:16 PM on June 25, 2011


Oh hurray! ! !
posted by you're a kitty! at 2:51 PM on June 25, 2011


Inconceivable!
posted by Twang at 3:06 PM on June 25, 2011


"A homosexual is someone who,
in 15 after 42
years of trying,
can't get a pissant anti-discrimination bill did get a landmark marriage equality
through
City Council the Statehouse in Albany.
They are men who know nobody, and who nobody knows.
They are men and women who can marry whom they love.

Rest in pieces, Roy. (Yeah, yeah, it's a fictionalization, yeah, yeah, he didn't actually say that.)
posted by orthogonality at 3:21 PM on June 25, 2011 [4 favorites]


WOOHOO! Have an amazing Pride parade tomorrow, NYC!
posted by wiskunde at 3:57 PM on June 25, 2011 [1 favorite]


I am trying my HARDEST to wish away this fucking flu so I can go down and actually enjoy myself tomorrow.
posted by The Whelk at 4:19 PM on June 25, 2011


I always get sick during Huge Turning Points In History,
posted by The Whelk at 4:19 PM on June 25, 2011 [3 favorites]


Hey Whelk, take some Contac, that shit is like outer space cold medicine magic.
posted by contessa at 6:45 PM on June 25, 2011 [1 favorite]


I live in Brooklyn. I was pretty grumpy that I was in Maryland as the vote came in last night and didn't get to celebrate in NY.

Luckily fate intervened and I'm not grumpy anymore. As I drove into Brooklyn, the BQE was totally traffic-free, except for the part where you can clearly see the Empire State Building. As I was stuck in traffic with clear view of the lit up Empire State Building, 3 consecutive Lady Gaga songs came on the radio.
posted by cheerwine at 7:40 PM on June 25, 2011 [4 favorites]


Kudos from London! Well done, New York, you clever things.
posted by Pallas Athena at 8:19 PM on June 25, 2011 [1 favorite]


So happy for you, New York! Now let's get the ball rolling in Wisconsin, Nebraska, North Carolina, etc.... Still a lot of work to be done, but goddamn! This is wonderful.
posted by msali at 12:05 AM on June 26, 2011


Congratulations, NY!
posted by harriet vane at 12:58 AM on June 26, 2011


Ugh, you guys. None of you understand the dangers. If we allow them to marry, then they will breed, and soon homosexuals will take over the world!

Oh, wait.
posted by Deathalicious at 6:13 AM on June 26, 2011


My father's girlfriend owns a wedding chapel in Niagara Falls. 9am Saturday morning, she scheduled a wedding for a lesbian couple who will be getting married on their 28th anniversary.
posted by Lucinda at 7:11 AM on June 26, 2011 [4 favorites]


9am Saturday morning, she scheduled a wedding for a lesbian couple who will be getting married on their 28th anniversary.

Isn't that a bit soon? The law won't be able to be applied until 30 days after its signed, making late July the earliest any same-sex marriages could be enacted.
posted by hippybear at 7:37 AM on June 26, 2011


I'm gonna go pill myself up and walk down to the parade for a bit, I have errands to run there anyway ( plus, an excuse to wear the pink tie ice been saving)
posted by The Whelk at 7:59 AM on June 26, 2011


Isn't that a bit soon? The law won't be able to be applied until 30 days after its signed, making late July the earliest any same-sex marriages could be enacted.

She could have scheduled it for any time.
posted by gaspode at 8:04 AM on June 26, 2011


I've been saving.

ICE has been saving up for his party planning business
posted by The Whelk at 8:08 AM on June 26, 2011 [1 favorite]


Me and the boyfriend are getting ready to head to the parade. We want to celebrate with a lot of happy people.
posted by sciencegeek at 8:08 AM on June 26, 2011 [1 favorite]


She could have scheduled it for any time.

Oh, yes, I see now. I misread. Of course, the scheduling is not about when it's scheduled for. D'oh!
posted by hippybear at 8:34 AM on June 26, 2011








Hippybear, the wedding is set for August, they just called to schedule first thing. :)
posted by Lucinda at 1:17 PM on June 26, 2011


Michele Bachmann: Constitutional amendment banning gay marriage

Bachmann Supports New York’s Right To Enact Marriage Equality Law.
posted by ericb at 3:18 PM on June 26, 2011






Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio: Passage of gay nuptials in New York State is another 'nail in the coffin' of marriage.

Hey bishop: STFU. You don't even speak for the majority of Catholics.
Catholics More Supportive Of Gay And Lesbian Rights Than General Public, Other Christians | March 22, 2011

"Catholics are more supportive of gay and lesbian rights than the general public and other Christians, according to a new report released today. The new report, which is the most comprehensive portrait of Catholic attitudes on gay and lesbian issues assembled to date, also finds that seven-in-ten Catholics say that messages from America's places of worship contribute a lot (33 percent) or a little (37 percent) to higher rates of suicide among gay and lesbian youth. ...

Nearly three-quarters of Catholics favor either allowing gay and lesbian people to marry (43%) or allowing them to form civil unions (31%). Only 22% of Catholics say there should be no legal recognition of a gay couple's relationship.

Nearly three-quarters (73%) of Catholics favor laws that would protect gay and lesbian people against discrimination in the workplace; 63% of Catholics favor allowing gay and lesbian people to serve openly in the military; and 6-in-10 (60%) Catholics favor allowing gay and lesbian couples to adopt children.

Less than 4-in-10 Catholics give their own church top marks (a grade of an A or a B) on its handing of the issue of homosexuality; majorities of members of most other religious groups give their churches high marks.

A majority of Catholics (56%) believe that sexual relations between two adults of the same gender is not a sin."
So, American Catholics, please note that when your Church leadership speaks out to oppose marriage equality and same-sex unions, they aren't speaking for the majority of you.
posted by ericb at 3:32 PM on June 26, 2011 [5 favorites]


Bachmann Supports New York’s Right To Enact Marriage Equality Law.

Because of the 10th amendment. The Supremacy Clause would make a constitutional amendment the law of the land and override New York's marriage equality law and she quite specifically supports that as well.

The two beliefs are not mutually exclusive.
posted by Talez at 3:36 PM on June 26, 2011


Haven't read any of the comments here yet so goodness knows what clusterfuck might be above this comment, but...YEAH! This went so much better than a few years ago. PROGRESS!

I was traveling this weekend and didn't get to spend any time on the Blue, but as soon as I heard the news this was the only place I wanted to be.

Specifically, I was traveling in NY this weekend. In fact, I was driving past Albany on I90 in the same few minutes that this was passed, which meant that my first visit to NY in a year was heralded by MARRIAGE EQUALITY! The day after I decided to move back to MA seven years ago, the Goodrich decision was announced and marriage equality happened in MA. I'm starting to wonder if I'm a talisman.

Should you wish to test this theory, all offers are being accepted. :)
posted by rollbiz at 8:18 PM on June 26, 2011


It's time for the rollbiz tour of America.
posted by drezdn at 5:12 AM on June 27, 2011 [1 favorite]



It's time for the rollbiz tour of America.


I vote for one of those driving routes that zigzags through every state (and I'm sure that we could take up a collection for the airfare to Hawaii, too).
posted by Forktine at 6:05 AM on June 27, 2011 [1 favorite]


"Pat Robertson reacts to the passage of marriage equality legislation in New York by warning that God is going to destroy America."
posted by ericb at 10:33 AM on June 27, 2011




Gay Pride 2011: Amazing Parade Photos from Around the World, from ... International Business Times? Odd. But there are some great photos from NYC.
posted by filthy light thief at 11:24 AM on June 27, 2011


Pat Robertson reacts to the passage of marriage equality legislation in New York by warning that God is going to destroy America.

And in other news, resident cats react to things by saying "meow".
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 11:31 AM on June 27, 2011 [3 favorites]


meow meow meow!!!
posted by Theta States at 6:05 AM on June 28, 2011


ericb: ""Pat Robertson reacts to the passage of marriage equality legislation in New York by warning that God is going to destroy America.""

Yeah, but I have it on good authority that he's only gonna destroy the uptight, puritanical, reactionary, fundamentalist, homophobic parts.

Pat? If I were you, I'd duck.
posted by zarq at 9:13 AM on June 28, 2011


God is going to destroy America

I've been warning that God was going to destroy America for years. After all, The Bible makes it clear that God is from the Middle East, somewhere. Of course He's unAmerican! That's not racial profiling - it's just reading comprehension, plain and simple.

Listen to Pat Robertson, everybody. God: He's bad for America.
posted by It's Raining Florence Henderson at 9:21 AM on June 28, 2011 [2 favorites]


David Frum: I was wrong about same-sex marriage.
posted by ericb at 3:16 PM on June 28, 2011


A Maryland family reflects on New York's reaction to passage of gay marriage
"Last week, our family visited New York City on vacation. As we left our hotel Sunday to come back to Maryland, we got caught up in the crowds watching the city's Gay Pride Parade. It was quite an experience. The night before, the New York State Assembly had passed, and the governor had signed into law, a bill guaranteeing marriage equality, so the crowd was in especially high spirits. The parade, as might be expected, was quite entertaining, but what impressed us the most were the spectators. Lined up five and eight deep along Fifth Avenue was a cross-section of the city's population cheering on the gay and lesbian marchers, the politicians who had pushed the bill to passage and all the straight participants who marched with them to show support for their gay neighbors, co-workers, friends and family members. The New York Police Department band was in the parade and so was a contingent fromNew York Fire Department.

In the crowd along the avenue were old people and young and folks across the ethnic spectrum as well as families and out-of-town tourists like ourselves. What seemed to most invigorate both the marchers and the watchers was a sense that American freedom had once again triumphed, and small-minded bigotry had been pushed further into the past.

As we drove back to Maryland, we realized that our state now has an opportunity to be one of the leaders in this movement toward what will eventually be accepted across the country as a fundamental human right. It's time now for us all to step up to the plate and make a real difference."

The Boulton Family, Ellicott City
posted by ericb at 3:22 PM on June 28, 2011 [2 favorites]


David Frum: I was wrong about same-sex marriage.

I'm glad he changed his mind, but he's still an idiot.
posted by rtha at 4:06 PM on June 28, 2011 [3 favorites]


I so thought that the David Frum article was going to be about the political aspects of gay marriage — in which case it might be true that 15 years ago it could not happen anywhere, and now it can happen most anywhere.

But no, he announces that he's realized allowing homosexuals to marry hasn't reduced the stability of non-gay marriages. Which means he really did believe it would happen, and was not just using it as an excuse. Which means that he wasn't an insincere schemer, but instead he was really, really, really, really stupid. Authentically and sincerely stupid.

I don't know how this is supposed to make me feel.
posted by benito.strauss at 4:34 PM on June 28, 2011 [4 favorites]


David Frum: I was wrong about same-sex marriage.

David Frum is having a late career renaissance of just writing "I was wrong about X liberal argument" articles and getting his crap passed around among hopeful democrats waiting for that sea change.
posted by Think_Long at 7:47 PM on June 28, 2011


I had not heard of NOM until just now. Their acronym disappoints me. I was expecting something tastier.
posted by madcaptenor at 8:33 PM on June 29, 2011




The wedding industry is heating up. (nyt)
posted by rtha at 8:55 PM on July 1, 2011


Bible condemns a lot, so why focus on homosexuality?
By Jonathan Dudley, Special to CNN

Growing up in the evangelical community, I learned the Bible’s stance on homosexuality is clear-cut. God condemns it, I was taught, and those who disagree just haven’t read their Bibles closely enough.

Having recently graduated from Yale Divinity School, I can say that my childhood community’s approach to gay rights—though well intentioned—is riddled with self-serving double standards.

I don’t doubt that the one New Testament author who wrote on the subject of male-male intercourse thought it a sin. In Romans 1, the only passage in the Bible where a reason is explicitly given for opposing same-sex relations, the Apostle Paul calls them “unnatural.”

Problem is, Paul’s only other moral argument from nature is the following: “Does not nature itself teach you that if a man wears long hair, it is degrading to him, but if a woman has long hair, it is her glory?” (1 Corinthians 11:14-15).

Few Christians would answer that question with a “yes.”

In short, Paul objects to two things as unnatural: one is male-male sex and the other is long hair on men and short hair on women. The community opposed to gay marriage takes one condemnation as timeless and universal and the other as culturally relative.

I also don’t doubt that those who advocate gay marriage are advocating a revision of the Christian tradition.

But the community opposed to gay marriage has itself revised the Christian tradition in a host of ways. For the first 1500 years of Christianity, for example, marriage was deemed morally inferior to celibacy. When a theologian named Jovinian challenged that hierarchy in 390 A.D. — merely by suggesting that marriage and celibacy might be equally worthwhile endeavors — he was deemed a heretic and excommunicated from the church.

How does that sit with “family values” activism today?

Yale New Testament professor Dale B. Martin has noted that today’s "pro-family" activism, despite its pretense to be representing traditional Christian values, would have been considered “heresy” for most of the church’s history.

The community opposed to gay marriage has also departed from the Christian tradition on another issue at the heart of its social agenda: abortion.

Unbeknownst to most lay Christians, the vast majority of Christian theologians and saints throughout history have not believed life begins at conception.

Although he admitted some uncertainty on the matter, the hugely influential 4th and 5th century Christian thinker Saint Augustine wrote, “it could not be said that there was a living soul in [a] body” if it is “not yet endowed with senses.”

Thomas Aquinas, a Catholic saint and a giant of mediaeval theology, argued: “before the body has organs in any way whatever, it cannot be receptive of the soul.”

American evangelicals, meanwhile, widely opposed the idea that life begins at conception until the 1970s, with some even advocating looser abortion laws based on their reading of the Bible before then.

It won’t do to oppose gay marriage because it’s not traditional while advocating other positions that are not traditional.

And then there’s the topic of divorce. Although there is only one uncontested reference to same-sex relations in the New Testament, divorce is condemned throughout, both by Jesus and Paul. To quote Jesus from the Gospel of Mark: “Whoever divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery.”

A possible exception is made only for unfaithfulness.

The community most opposed to gay marriage usually reads these condemnations very leniently. A 2007 issue of Christianity Today, for example, featured a story on its cover about divorce that concluded that Christians should permit divorce for “adultery,” “emotional and physical neglect” and “abandonment and abuse.”

The author emphasizes how impractical it would be to apply a strict interpretation of Jesus on this matter: “It is difficult to believe the Bible can be as impractical as this interpretation implies.”

Indeed it is.

On the other hand, it’s not at all difficult for a community of Christian leaders, who are almost exclusively white, heterosexual men, to advocate interpretations that can be very impractical for a historically oppressed minority to which they do not belong – homosexuals.

Whether the topic is hair length, celibacy, when life begins, or divorce, time and again, the leaders most opposed to gay marriage have demonstrated an incredible willingness to consider nuances and complicating considerations when their own interests are at stake.

Since graduating from seminary, I no longer identify with the evangelical community of my youth. The community gave me many fond memories and sound values but it also taught me to take the very human perspectives of its leaders and attribute them to God.

So let’s stop the charade and be honest.

Opponents of gay marriage aren’t defending the Bible’s values. They’re using the Bible to defend their own.
posted by caddis at 8:23 AM on July 5, 2011 [9 favorites]


Opponents of gay marriage aren’t defending the Bible’s values. They’re using the Bible to defend their own.

BINGO. This is why I always roll my eyes a little when people say things like, "If only we didn't have religion, then all of these oppressive viewpoints would disappear." Religion, in and of itself, does not have nearly as many oppressive views as some of its more fanatical followers would have you believe. These people don't hold hateful views because their religion tells them to, they bend their religion to support their hateful views.
posted by Deathalicious at 4:07 PM on July 5, 2011 [1 favorite]


Their religion serves as a rallying point and support network. Not unlike white power rallies.
posted by five fresh fish at 8:48 AM on July 6, 2011




Problem is, Paul’s only other moral argument from nature is the following: “Does not nature itself teach you that if a man wears long hair, it is degrading to him, but if a woman has long hair, it is her glory?” (1 Corinthians 11:14-15).

Few Christians would answer that question with a “yes.”


I don't know. I think a lot of them would argue that men should have short hair and women should have long hair. (And let's face it, lesbians do seem to be more likely to have short hair than the average woman.)
posted by madcaptenor at 5:53 PM on July 6, 2011


Did you really just say that?
posted by five fresh fish at 7:28 PM on July 6, 2011


(And let's face it, lesbians do seem to be more likely to have short hair than the average woman.)

Um. Women who you know to be lesbians may in fact have short hair more often than not. Many women with long hair may not "seem" like lesbians to you (you are not terribly unusual in this). When I first moved to Maine, I was amazed at the number of dykes I saw - everywhere! Until I remembered that living in rural New England, women driving a pickup or a Subaru, wearing Bean boots and jeans, and having short hair are not signaling their lesbianism. They were signaling things that are often practical in rural places, among people who work physical jobs.

(I didn't have hair this short until I was 30, and I had been out for a decade before that, with hair down to my butt.)
posted by rtha at 9:06 PM on July 6, 2011 [3 favorites]


Okay, I went too far there. Sorry about that.
posted by madcaptenor at 7:52 AM on July 7, 2011


No worries. It's a normal enough assumption, and especially in the Bay Area, where it's certainly pretty common that dykes do in fact often have short(er) hair. (It's also an assumption that even lesbians make, to the extent that "femme invisibility" is a real and talked about thing.)
posted by rtha at 8:54 AM on July 7, 2011 [2 favorites]


And I've even known femmes who complain about femme invisibility. I am hanging my head in shame.
posted by madcaptenor at 2:33 PM on July 7, 2011


Given that I know you and like you and will be happy to see you at our next meetup, I give you permission to hang your head in shame for 30 seconds at the most. Then you have to stop, and go outside to play. If you're working right now, please tell your boss that the Internet told you to.
posted by rtha at 2:47 PM on July 7, 2011 [5 favorites]


City Halls in Rochester, Syracuse, Binghamton and New York City will be open on Sunday, July 24 (the first day gay couples can get a marriage license). New York City judges are going to waive the standard 24 hour waiting period on a marriage license so that couples get married right away.
posted by Lucinda at 8:09 PM on July 7, 2011


New York City judges are going to waive the standard 24 hour waiting period

I was wondering about that! I'm half thinking about going down to the City Clerk's office and throwing rainbow confetti, or just watching the couples' beaming smiles. It was gonna be a lot less exciting if the couples in question were just getting the paperwork that permitted them to marry the next day, though.

I mean, do you even dress up for the paperwork? It seems like the bureaucratic equivalent of a rehearsal dinner, so maybe?
posted by evidenceofabsence at 11:28 PM on July 7, 2011


Then you have to stop, and go outside to play. If you're working right now, please tell your boss that the Internet told you to.

Thank you both on behalf of the Internet Association Against Grar for demonstrating how this can be such an amazing community and how to turn potential headbanging into humor, sharing of experiences, and official commands to play from the internet. The meetup scene certainly helps with this too. Instead of the discussion turning into a huge argument over nothing where everyone walks away upset and offended, we learned a bit and left with a smile. You two are both class acts.
posted by zachlipton at 9:29 PM on July 12, 2011 [2 favorites]


Andrew Sullivan, in Newsweek: Why Gay Marriage Is Good for Straight America.

It's a powerful, honest piece.
You can have as many debates about gay marriage as you want, and over the last 22 years of campaigning for it, I’ve had my share. You can debate theology, and the divide between church and state, the issue of procreation, the red herring of polygamy, and on and on. But what it all really comes down to is the primary institution of love. The small percentage of people who are gay or lesbian were born, as all humans are, with the capacity to love and the need to be loved. These things, above everything, are what make life worth living. And unlike every other minority, almost all of us grew up among and part of the majority, in families where the highest form of that love was between our parents in marriage. To feel you will never know that, never feel that, is to experience a deep psychic wound that takes years to recover from. It is to become psychologically homeless. Which is why, I think, the concept of “coming out” is not quite right. It should really be called “coming home.”

In the end, I had to abandon my home in order to find it again and know the place for the first time. I left England just after my 21st birthday for America and its simple foundational promise: the pursuit of happiness. And I gave myself permission to pursue it. I will never forget the moment I first kissed another man; it was as if a black-and-white movie suddenly turned into color. I will never forget the first time I slept next to another man—or rather tried to sleep. Never for a moment did I actually feel or truly believe any of this was wrong, let alone an “intrinsic evil,” as my strict Catholicism told me that it was. It was so natural, so spontaneous, so joyous, it could no more be wrong than breathing. And as I experienced intimacy and love for the first time as an adult, all that brittleness of the gay adolescent, all that white-knuckled embarrassment, all those ruses and excuses and dark, deep depressions lifted. Yes, this was happiness. And America for me will always represent it.

And that is why marriage equality is, to my mind, the distillation of America. If you’re a heterosexual reading this, have you ever considered for a millisecond that your right to pursue happiness did not include your right to marry the person you love? And that is why, over the centuries, the U.S. Supreme Court has upheld the right to marry for everyone, citizen or even traveler, as a core, inalienable right, bestowed by the Declaration of Independence itself. The court has ruled that the right to marry precedes the Bill of Rights; it has decided that prisoners on death row have a right to marry, even if they can never consummate it. It has ruled that no limitations may be put on it for anyone—deadbeat dads, multiple divorcées, felons, noncitizens. Hannah Arendt wrote in 1959 that “the right to marry whoever one wishes is an elementary human right … Even political rights, like the right to vote, and nearly all other rights enumerated in the Constitution, are secondary to the inalienable human rights to ‘life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness’ proclaimed in the Declaration of Independence; and to this category the right to home and marriage unquestionably belongs.” And, of course, after a long struggle, interracial marriage was finally declared a constitutional right, in perhaps the most sweeping ruling ever, with the court declaring that civil marriage was one of the “basic civil rights of man, fundamental to our very existence and survival.” Barack Obama is a historic American figure not because he is black, but because he is the son of a black father and a white mother. He is the living embodiment of the pursuit of happiness that marriage represented.

posted by zarq at 6:54 AM on July 18, 2011 [3 favorites]


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