ALBANY -- Gov. David Paterson claims some opponents of same-sex marriage in New York who cite religious beliefs failed to act on their faith earlier when gays and lesbians were victimized.
"The fact is that for years these same individuals ... not all of them, but many of them, who pronounce religious doctrine did not exercise it when young gay and lesbian students were being bullied and chastised for expressing their points of view," Paterson told thousands of gay rights advocates lobbying in Albany on Tuesday.
"Where were these leaders of faith when college students of gay and lesbian orientation were beaten and often brutalized for expressing their feelings to each other?"
Paterson, who did not single out any opponents in his speech, received a roaring reception from gay rights activists.
But a spokesman for the New York State Catholic Conference, which opposes same-sex marriage legislation, called the governor's comments insulting, harmful and wrong.
"He seems to be indicting everyone of faith," spokesman Dennis Poust said.
Poust said Catholic hospitals set up the first AIDS units in New York and that the late Cardinal John O'Connor personally emptied patients' bed pans.
Speaking to reporters after the speech, Paterson said religious leaders speaking out now would have "better moral standing" if they had spoken out about past injustices.
He suggested some of the opponents might be motivated by guilt over not pressing for gays and lesbians to be covered under New York's "hate crime" legislation. The final version of that legislation, passed in 2000, does mete out tougher punishment for criminals who select victims on the basis of sexual orientation.
The comments represent some of the strongest rhetoric yet from the Democratic governor as he calls for New York to follow the lead of Iowa, Massachusetts, Connecticut and Vermont to legalize marriage for same-sex couples.
The Democrat-led state Assembly passed a same-sex marriage measure in 2007 and is expected to do so again. But Democrats in charge of the state Senate say they currently lack the votes for passage.
Gay rights advocates lobbied state lawmakers Tuesday and held a lunchtime rally under sunny skies by the state Capitol, waving rainbow flags and holding signs reading "Marriage Now."
"Where were these leaders of faith when college students of gay and lesbian orientation were beaten and often brutalized for expressing their feelings to each other?"
Paterson, who did not single out any opponents in his speech, received a roaring reception from gay rights activists.
But a spokesman for the New York State Catholic Conference, which opposes same-sex marriage legislation, called the governor's comments insulting, harmful and wrong.
"He seems to be indicting everyone of faith," spokesman Dennis Poust said.
Poust said Catholic hospitals set up the first AIDS units in New York and that the late Cardinal John O'Connor personally emptied patients' bed pans.
Speaking to reporters after the speech, Paterson said religious leaders speaking out now would have "better moral standing" if they had spoken out about past injustices.
He suggested some of the opponents might be motivated by guilt over not pressing for gays and lesbians to be covered under New York's "hate crime" legislation. The final version of that legislation, passed in 2000, does mete out tougher punishment for criminals who select victims on the basis of sexual orientation.
The comments represent some of the strongest rhetoric yet from the Democratic governor as he calls for New York to follow the lead of Iowa, Massachusetts, Connecticut and Vermont to legalize marriage for same-sex couples.
The Democrat-led state Assembly passed a same-sex marriage measure in 2007 and is expected to do so again. But Democrats in charge of the state Senate say they currently lack the votes for passage.
Gay rights advocates lobbied state lawmakers Tuesday and held a lunchtime rally under sunny skies by the state Capitol, waving rainbow flags and holding signs reading "Marriage Now."
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Post your comment - click hereThere are 13 comment(s)
FS II wrote on Apr 28, 2009 11:24 PM:
thetruthisoutthere wrote on Apr 28, 2009 10:37 PM:
ej2521 wrote on Apr 28, 2009 10:28 PM:
Such bigotry and hatred in this city. "
bizzaro-world wrote on Apr 28, 2009 9:31 PM:
legitimizing overzealous self righteous unconventional behavior is for the therapist or the springer show, not the legislators. re-damn-diculous that this is how MY tax money is spent. "
Blisterfish wrote on Apr 28, 2009 8:44 PM:
Umm, actually I can, and do, is that not my right? "
Blisterfish wrote on Apr 28, 2009 7:20 PM:
ej2521 wrote on Apr 28, 2009 7:01 PM:
9165781-let me ask you a question, if you were taught to respect everyone's faith and backround, if gay marriage was put on the ballot in our state of NY how would you vote, remembering of course to repsect everyone.
The bible aside because that is not an appropriate tool to base your opinion of off, simply because you can't take everything in the bible word for word...if I went tonight and married my girlfriend how would it affect any of you? "
9165781 wrote on Apr 28, 2009 6:03 PM:
think that a marrage is between a man and a woman. "
The Bone wrote on Apr 28, 2009 5:55 PM:
sick of it wrote on Apr 28, 2009 5:16 PM:
karl the 2nd wrote on Apr 28, 2009 4:44 PM:
What a brave man, and a genuinely admirable human being, to stand up for people who are simply in love.
You too, "sick of it"--good for you and your girlfriend, and I wish you happiness. "
FS II wrote on Apr 28, 2009 4:31 PM:
sick of it wrote on Apr 28, 2009 3:49 PM: