The Gay Empire State

[Holmes]

Diaz out of the Minority Caucus, fwiw.

I'm skeptical, but hopeful. If it passes, would it be a failure on the part of the Senate Democratic majority two years ago, or a victory for Cuomo?

[Holmes]

Not quite true. A bunch of Republican state legislators voted in favor of same-sex marriage in Vermont (of course).

They weren't critical to the passage though, no?

For a veto override, I think... it's been a while, but they were like 2 or 3 votes short of a veto override in the first round in the House, and when Douglas vetoed it, I think some Republicans switched.

One Republican state senator switched to no on the second round, I believe.

[Holmes]

Is this new? Grisanti is now undecided. Sounds more like a "no, but if I think about it without religion it's yes". I guess it'll depend on how he feels during the vote.

[Holmes]

We should all list ways this can go horribly wrong, because that's probably what's gonna happen.

[Holmes]

No decision basically seems like "haha no" to me.

[Holmes]

Hm. About 90% sure this isn't even gonna get to the floor now.

[Holmes]

Hm. About 90% sure this isn't even gonna get to the floor now.

I've heard that LGBT advocating insiders in Albany are much more optimistic than the present scenario would indicate from a distance

Mmhmm, well there have been a lot of cases that have seemed like a done deal, or close to one, and it only takes one little thing to crumble all down. And those were in Democratic legislatures.

[Holmes]

Twitter has never provided any benefit for a politician and tons of mishaps. Any smart politician should simply never ever use Twitter. Actually replace "politician" with "person"...

You just don't know where to look on Twitter. It's great, especially if you love campaigns. You can often find volunteers or people on the inside of a campaign give behind the scenes details on Twitter that you could only hear from their own mouths.

[Holmes]

It certainly appears that the demands by conservatives are either vacuous or intending to roll back gay rights in areas unrelated to marriage. In no case are they mitigating a change enacted by this law.

This was a strategy used in Maine in 2009. Maine had already passed a law (and approved by voters) in 2005 that protected gay people in employment, housing, public accommodations, etc. But opponents of the same-sex marriage bill said that if same-sex couples could get married, they would be able to rent a house from an anti-gay landlord, or send their children to Catholic schools. *gasp* Reality is scary.

It's actually a positive sign for gay marriage now that I think about it.  It shows that he may be thinking about the Yes/No vote more than the bill being shelved and no vote happening at all.

This is what I thought too when I read it. Obviously he knows more than us since he's on the inside, so if he's seriously considering it this weekend, and sharing it in public, it might be a sign that it's likely it might go to a vote after all. Or maybe I'm reading between the lines too much?

[Holmes]

How does marriage change the rules for adoption? One would think whether state law requiring groups taking state funds for adoption to not discriminate against gays would not be directly linked to marriage law. Gays are adopting *now*. This is an excuse not to hold a vote, not a genuine touchpoint for this issue, and yes, I'm familiar with what CC did in MA and IL. Note that IL doesn't have gay marriage.

Doesn't the gay rights lobby always tell us that gays need marriage, not civil unions, because mere civil unions aren't good enough to confer the 1,200 "rights" that married people otherwise have?

No, because it's the word that grants the respect and dignity that the government, not some random churches, should otherwise give the couples.

[Holmes]

Well, Cuomo still has at least another year and a half with a Republican majority in the state senate, so I don't think he'd shoot himself in the foot by doing that.

[Holmes]

Have I missed Cinyc's posts? I was eagerly looking to see his response to me, too. I guess this is my reward for stepping away from the computer for a short while.

Just the typical victimization, wasn't worth much of a read.

[Holmes]

How lovely. They're quite ridiculous though, as anything can be used as a "slippery slope" argument. If a man can marry a woman, why can't he marry two? What about three? Where does it end?

[Holmes]

Well, yes, grandstanding over an issue that's already addressed in the bill is a sign that it won't come up.

[Holmes]

Vote could be held tonight. But, well, in legislative terms, "tonight" could mean tomorrow, or never.

http://blog.timesunion.com/capitol/archives/72053/silver-sees-session-end-today-ready-for-ssm-tweaks/

32nd vote also "secured", apparently. Says vote could be in the wee hours of Thursday. Doesn't say who it is though, understandable since if you're the deciding vote, and a Republican, I'd wanna keep it under wraps too until the vote.

http://www.knickledger.com/2011/06/32nd-vote-secured-for-marriage-equality/

[Holmes]

This Greg Ball fellow seems insufferable. He made this whole debacle about himself, when he never really played a role in the first place. Ha. I'd rather have ten Rocco Rossi's than one Greg Ball. Actually, maybe not. Anyway, he's voting no (surprise), but he thinks it'll pass anyway.

[Holmes]

Exciting night!! I don't know if I wanna watch it though, too nervous. Ha.

Of course, opponents are claiming defeat now, in the case that it doesn't pass, it gives them more to gloat about. Annoying. Should be a nail bitter!

[Holmes]

If you want an early indication, watch Senator Duane when he speaks. If he drags on and has upset body language, it won't pass. In 2009, when he spoke before the vote, he dragged on for so long, and seemed distraught.

[Holmes]

Diaz is upset.

[Holmes]

Diaz offends my senses greatly.

[Holmes]

Diaz offends my senses greatly.

Very greatly. Someone please escort him out. He might as well be having a meltdown.

[Holmes]

"Senator Diaz, you have exceeded your two minutes."
"I said I want to talk about the bill, why you taking away my rights!?"

Is Diaz Libertas!?

[Holmes]

Everyone suffering from verbal diarrhea! This could last all night.

Thomas Duane really thinks highly of his own importance.

Which elected official doesn't?

[Holmes]

Fricking Duane. I have to wake up early! WRAP IT UP.

[Holmes]

New New York Senate rule: speeches should be 20 seconds long. That way, they'll end up only being 5 minutes long.