In a 33-29 vote, the Same Sex Marriage bill passed in the New York Senate last night.
Senator Mark J. Gristanti, one of two swing votes, said of his decision, “I apologize for those who feel offended … I cannot deny a person, a human being, a taxpayer, a worker, the people of my district and across this state, the State of New York, and those people who make this the great state that it is the same rights that I have with my wife.”
I think I speak for all of us at The Luxury Spot when I say, it’s about fuckin’ time! Seriously, though. I’m extremely proud of and humbled by the way New Yorkers wrote in, called in, and tuned in to become a part of civil rights history. That’s exactly what this is about – it’s not about your religious beliefs or your bigotry or your homophobia. It’s about a group of people having the same choices and options as another group of people – which is a pillar this country was founded on (believe it or not!). And it’s taking us a while to live up to our own hype, to understand that equality is for everyone and not just the White Straight Man, but nights like last night give me hope that we’re moving in the right direction.
I’m proud to be a New Yorker, and I’m proud that we can unite over not just tragedy, but victory. As a major blue state and the largest state to pass a same sex marriage law thus far, we’re setting the right tone for the rest of America. But let’s not forget that we’re only the sixth state to legalize same sex marriage. Keep the momentum, keep your high spirits, and keep fighting the good fight – this is far from over.
That being said, I look forward to seeing the couples I love, gay or straight, choose how the fuck they want to celebrate it. Cheers!
