Right now, pressure is building on Albany politicians to pass a Marriage Equality Act which would make gay couples the same as heterosexual couples.
As it stands, the bill does not have enough votes to pass the State Senate and Gov. Andrew Cuomo says he will not bring the bill to a vote unless he is assured of passage. The last time it came to a vote, it was defeated in the Senate as every Republican voted “No” and 10 Democrats said “Nay.”
Considerable pressure is being put on three local Democrats to switch their votes — Sens. Shirley Huntley and Joseph Addabbo of Queens and Carl Kruger of Brooklyn.
Speaking in a telephone interview from Albany on Currents, The NET’s daily news show, Addabbo said that he is polling his constituents and will vote according to the will of the people of his district. A caller to Hundley’s office learned she is undeclared while Kruger’s office did not respond.
Changing the definition of marriage is a dangerous move not only because gay marriage would violate the natural law but also because it would put at risk religious freedom.
Changing the definition of marriage could end a church’s right to practice what it believes. Church agencies will be forced to withdraw from important activities, such as education, health care and social service or risk severe penalties and punishment. These effects will be widespread and devastating to the State of New York in the current economic climate.
In other states where similar laws have been enacted, Catholic agencies have had to pull out of adoption and foster care services because they did not believe in placing children with same-sex couples.
A Catholic hospital or social service agency that refuses to provide same-sex spousal benefits could be denied access to government contracts, grants or other funding on the ground that it is engaged in discrimination that contravenes public policy.
A Catholic school that offers special housing for married couples would be sued immediately if they did not offer the same opportunity to same-sex coupples.
Even individual busines people, such as wedding photographers, catering hall owners and flower shops could be subjected to legal action if they did not wish to honor same-sex unions in the same way they handle weddings.
If a Knights of Columbus Council that rents its facilities for weddings refused to offer its facility to a same-sex couple, it would immediately be subject to legal action.
The Marriage Equality Act is much more than an attempt to end discrimination based on a person’s gender. It is no more than a not-too-subtle attempt to undermine Catholic teaching and threaten the Church’s right to teach and believe according to its moral principles.
The politicians mentioned above need to hear from you, especially Sen. Addabbo, who represents Woodhaven, Richmond Hill, Howard Beach, and Hollis, all family-oriented neighborhoods. He is under intense pressure from gay groups and must hear your voice so that he truly can represent the voice of his voters.
Call the Senate at (518) 455-2800 and register your voice with your State Senator.