New York Assembly Passes Marriage Equality Bill

One day after easily passing a legislative committee on a strictly partisan vote, a marriage equality bill introduced by Democratic Governor Eliot Spitzer passed the New York State Assembly on Tuesday by a bipartisan vote of 85 to 61. By passing A. 8590, whose chief legislative sponsor was talk show host Rosie O'Donnell's openly gay brother Assemblymember Daniel O'Donnell, the New York State Assembly became the third legislative body in the United States to pass a bill opening marriage to same-sex couples, after the California State Senate and California State Assembly. The California bill failed to beome law in 2005 after Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger vetoed it. The California State Assembly again passed a marriage equality bill a couple weeks ago and the Governor has repeated his intention to veto it.

In New York, however, the Governor would happily sign a marriage equality into law if given the chance, but State Senate Majority Leader Joseph Bruno (R-*sshole) has said that he has no intention of allowing the upper body to consider the marriage equality bill this year. This is the same person who prevented New York State Legislature from enacting a non-discrimination bill including gender identity or sexual orientation for decades despite large majorities in both houses in favor of the bill. New York finally enacted the Sexual Orientation Non-Discrimination Act in 2002.

Congratulations, New York!