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12/03/2009

NY church/state separation is a lie

by Jeremy Hooper

Want even more insight into the kinds of sentiments that 38 New York state Senators chose to support over civil fairness? Well check out the following. This is the celebratory press release from the so-called New Yorkers For Constitutional Freedom, a group who NOM and others have cited as being a major player in the anti-equality lobbying. Read along as two reverends tell you why, exactly, you aren't worthy of CIVIL marriage:

On December 2, 2009, the New York State Senate Democratic leadership brought same-sex marriage legislation to the Senate floor. The legislation was soundly defeated by a vote of 24 to 38. New Yorkers for Constitutional Freedoms (NYCF) is thankful that the sustained, principled opposition to this bill culminated in a successful effort to block its passage.



Rev. Jason J. McGuire, Executive Director of New Yorkers for Constitutional Freedoms, said, “Today’s vote results from the efforts made by a bipartisan, multiracial alliance united in support of the proposition that marriage is not just about adult satisfaction or the whims of a special interest group—it’s about kids. The bottom line is that children do best when raised by their biological mother and father. This bill would have encouraged and promoted the deliberate formation of households that deprive children of either a mom or a dad.”



Rev. Duane Motley, Senior Lobbyist for New Yorkers for Constitutional Freedoms, made the following comments: “It is gratifying to see that so many senators from both parties are listening to their constituents and taking heed to the many objections that have been raised regarding this bill. The legislation placed freedom of religion and freedom of conscience in jeopardy. New Yorkers’ voices were heard today.”



McGuire added, “The authentic marriage movement in New York is a movement based on love and justice. Our existing marriage laws are just. They do not violate the Constitution, nor do they violate the civil rights of same-sex partners. All people are created equal, but not all choices are equal and not all relationships are marriages. We are pleased that today a majority of the senators recognized and upheld the true purpose of marriage.”



Motley concluded, “According to the Word of God, marriage is and always will be the union of a man and a woman. Since God created marriage, only He has the authority to change it.”

NYS Senate Soundly Defeats Same-Sex Marriage [NYCF]

Never mind that gay households have already been "deliberately formed," and civil marriage equality would simply grant these tax-paying citizens the same rights as their heterosexual peers.

Never mind that the idea of civil marriage threatening religious freedom is an absolute lie propagated by these so-called "moral" types who should not be bearing false witness

Never mind that all recent polling shows that "New Yorkers' voices" support marriage equality in majority numbers, and that the Senate vote breakdown is widely different from a poll released on the exact same day.

Never mind that marriage has been changed many times before, and at no point did God swoop down and give the okay.

Never mind that the kid argument is another abject lie, considering that (a) kids are not a requirement for any kind of marriage, and (b) many gay couples in New York state already have little ones.

None of these points should be minded at all, because they are all MINDLESS REDUCTIONS OF THIS CRUCIAL CIVIL RIGHTS CONVERSATION! Yet 38 New York state Senators chose to sidle up to faith-based bigotry.





FOR SHAME!

Your thoughts

And the biggest never-mind is that NYS currently does recognize same-sex marriages that are performed elsewhere. The, "Our existing marriage laws are just," sounds like the lying liars are okay with same-sex marriage - yet they seem happy to crow about something that benefits no one, and only hurts others.

Posted by: Dick Mills | Dec 3, 2009 10:42:45 AM

I don't know why they are so celebratory. From my impression, the LGBT community in New York is a very powerful community. We'll just get rid of the senators that voted against us and replace them with senators who will treat everyone equally, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity. I truly believe that those who didn't want this to come to a vote is because they are afraid of our community's backlash against them. They made their choice to vote against our equality and now we know what we must do in the coming elections.

Posted by: Sam | Dec 3, 2009 11:29:22 AM

"Bipartisan, multi-racial alliance." Oh, Jeremy, you called it last night. @ Dick Mills: I thought it was kindness motivating them. Obviously they think other states need the money from our weddings and related travel far more than we do. @ Sam: I so hope you're right.

Posted by: GreenEyedLilo | Dec 3, 2009 12:18:17 PM

My money is going to target specifically those Dems who voted no (hear us, Monserrate?), and also towards progressive candidates who can compete against some of those Republican nays. It is time to have a representative body who believes in fairness and not "Sticking it to the governor" for political points!



Posted by: Eric | Dec 3, 2009 2:07:47 PM

Monserrate's fate is all but sealed.

Posted by: G-A-Y | Dec 3, 2009 2:30:00 PM

I love the line: "This bill would have encouraged and promoted the deliberate formation of households that deprive children of either a mom or a dad." Because, you know, it does nothing to address the formation of same-sex households outside of the protections and rights that marriage provides. Of course, if those aren't deliberate, then we must be forming families accidentally, right? Right-wing idiots shouldn't be given access to press agencies.

Posted by: Johan Baumeister | Dec 3, 2009 4:47:02 PM

Jeremy, A great post as always. I followed up on your idea on my blog. I am SO OVER one religious view being enshrined in the civil laws. That Maggie Gallagher and others are enriching themselves in the process is even more disgusting.

Posted by: michaelinnorfolk | Dec 5, 2009 8:55:09 AM

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