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New Same Sex Marriage Bill in the Assembly
For all those who don't know, a new same sex marriage bill was introduced in the Assembly on May 10th.
If you remember, similar bills have passed the assembly in 2007 and 2009, but have either died in the senate (2007) or were not passed by our senators (2009).
The NYSBA sent an email around and it reminded me that I need to email my assemblyman and I thought I would share my letter with you in the hopes that you might reach out to your assemblymembers, too.
My assemblyman voted "no" in 2007 but voted "yes" in 2009. I would hope that he continues to support ss marriage, but I know there are a lot of members (52, in fact) who voted "no" in 2009 as well.
I'll post my "form" letter in a reply.
ETA: you can find your assemblymember here. Obviously the letter will need to be changed slightly because I referenced Reilly's change in stance from 2007 to 2009, but you get the gist...
Re: New Same Sex Marriage Bill in the Assembly
Hon. Robert Reilly
NYS Assemblyman, 109th District
Re: A. 7600 ? An Act to Amend the Domestic Relations Law in Relation to the Ability to Marry
Assemblyman Reilly:
As one of your constituents, I am writing to express my wish that you serve as a co-sponsor of legislation that would grant same sex couples the right to marry in New York State. As I?m sure you are aware, the current bill, A.7600, was introduced by Assemblyman Daniel O?Donnell on May 10, 2011.
Although there have been some strides made in recent years, the law changes that were enacted still fail to provide the same protections to same sex couples that heterosexual couples benefit from. There are over 1300 laws in New York that affect married and unmarried couples differently. Many of these laws provide automatic safeguards for married couples; unfortunately, same sex couples are not able to benefit from those safeguards.
Being a heterosexual, married, woman I cannot think of one reason why affording every individual the same rights that my husband and I enjoy would have any effect on me, my marriage or my community.
I am pleased that you changed your stance on the issue of gay marriage with your ?yes? vote in 2009 and I hope that you continue to support the efforts being made to grant everyone the fundamental right to marry in the State of New York.
Sincerely,
Nicole XXX
Awesome post.
They need to hear from consitutents on this. The forces in "defense of marriage" were out rallying today.
Thanks for posting this! I hadn't realized the bill was introduced yet. I just emailed my assemblyman also (he has voted for the other bills in the past, so hopefully he also supports this one!)