If you live in New York state, give your senator a call right now. You can watch the marriage equality debate live here.
UPDATE: The bill lost, 24-38. The only senator to speak out against it was Ruben Diaz Sr; all the other no-voting cowards and bigots stayed silent. Eight New York Democrats — Addabbo, Aubertine, Diaz, Huntley, Kruger, Monserrate, Onorato, and Stachowski — voted no. And yes, that is Democrat Hiram Monserrate, famous for slashing his girlfriend’s face with a piece of broken glass. Those are some morals. It’s also worth noting that while some of the most moving speeches on the Senate floor were given by senators of color and Jewish senators, many of whom referenced their own histories and oppressions, the majority of the “no” votes came from white dudes.
This is such an incredible disappointment.
Fingers and toes crossed. As a sixth-generation Californian, right now I’m also loving NY for not having the reactionary citizen initiative process.
By the way, the report on the Daily Kos sounds like this is a done deal, and the votes are there.
Well that was bullshit.
Indeed.
How did the vote counting get so screwed up? That’s not even close – more than a half-dozen bigots will need to be replaced before this can become law.
Not a single Republican voted yes. There were some who had pledged a yes vote and they backed out — fucking cowards didn’t even bother to explain themselves on the floor. Others were undecided, and there was hope that they would shift at the last minute. That’s how it happened.
I think this loss kicks me the most. My two home states, MA and VT, did what was right, the other losses were depressing as hell, but this one gets personal; I don’t think my cousin and his partner would get married even if they could, but I know damned well they’d like the right to.
I am so frustrated!! We had a fantastic candidate for NY senator in my district who got whomped by Jim Seward, who voted no today. I was sad the day he lost, but I am even more sad today when I realize how important his vote could have been today. I can’t believe this is happening in my own state, it makes me sick.
I plan to download a list of everyone who voted no and send them each a personal holiday card with my partner and myself’s photo on the front :)