2009 was supposed to be the year of marriage equality.  After Democrats took control of all three branches of the state government, leaders including Governor David Paterson promised to pass marriage equality.  However, Democrats had a very narrow majority of the Senate, a 32-30 split meant that just one Democratic defection would tie the Senate and create a gridlock.  Very quickly, Senator Ruben Diaz, an ordained reverend from the Bronx, took advantage of that, threatening to join with the Republicans and prevent the Senate from getting anything done if Democrats tried to hold a vote on gay marriage.  While this was resolved and he dropped his threat, it seemed that marriage equality might not come to a vote in the Senate at least until 2011.

Then, in a big surprise, soon after coming to an agreement on the state budget and passing it at the very beginning of December, marriage equality suddenly appeared on the Senate agenda.  In the day before the vote, the State Assembly passed the gay marriage bill by a huge margin in order to boost the prospects and momentum of what would be a historic act.  There were numerous very emotional speeches in favor of the bill, with only one exception, that of Ruben Diaz who once again spoke against the bill.  Normally, bills only come to a vote after the Senate leaders know it will pass, and considering the debate prior to the vote, the odds seemed very good.

But when the votes came in, all that changed.  First, Senator Joe Addabbo, from Queens, whom we had volunteered for and helped to elect in 2008 in a campaign supporting of marriage equality, voted “No”.  Apparently, he was spooked that his protege had just lost an election to a Republican, and thought voting for the bill might endanger his reelection campaign.  Then, Senator James Alesi, a Republican from Rochester, who was known to support gay rights but feared a primary challenge from conservative Republicans, voted “No”, as well.  The bill quickly sank, gathering only 24 Democratic votes, while no Republicans stood in favor of marriage equality.  8 Democrats even voted against the bill: Diaz, Addabbo, Darrell Aubertine (North Country), Shirley Huntley (Queens), Carl Kruger (Brooklyn), Hiram Monserrate (Queens), George Onorato (Queens), and Bill Stachowski (Buffalo).

If we want marriage equality in 2011, we’ll need to flip 8 votes to support the bill.  Onorato is planning on retiring and will likely be replaced by a supporter of marriage equality.  Stachowski and Monserrate are facing primary challenges from supporters of marriage equality, and that leaves 6 votes left.  We’re starting with Joe Addabbo, and working to gain those 6 votes in support of marriage equality.