Voice for Equality: Dede Scozzafava

Dede Scozzafava is an American Republican politician in New York. She has represented District 122 in the New York State Assembly, which includes most of St. Lawrence and Lewis Counties in the North Country and a small portion of Oswego County since 1999. She was the Republican nominee to run for the U.S. House of Representatives in the 2009 special election in New York's 23rd congressional district. Many notable conservative Republicans, including former Vice Presidential nominee Sarah Palin, Republican Governor Tim Pawlenty of Minnesota and former U.S. Senator Fred Thompson, endorsed Conservative Party candidate Doug Hoffman rather than the Republican candidate because they deemed Scozzafava insufficiently conservative. Due to her campaign becoming a national focal point, and with less than robust support from the Republican National Committee, Scozzafava suspended her campaign shortly before the election and threw her support to the eventual Democratic winner, Bill Owens. Learn more here.

Dede Scozzafava has established herself as an open-minded Republican who votes for what she believes is right rather than following conservative party doctrine, especially on social issues. A pro-choice supporter, she has also consistently made the case when it comes to marriage equality that supporting loving couples should not be a partisan issue. She voted in support of the freedom to marry when it first came up in the New York State Assembly in 2007, and has stood her ground ever since. [Link]

Freedom to Marry salutes Dede Scozzafava as a Voice for Equality! Learn about other Voices for Equality here.

If Assemblywoman Scozzafava's support inspires you, get involved!

**Make your NOMINATION for a Voice for Equality today!

Standoff between New Jersey Senate and Assembly on Marriage Equality

The New York Times
January 4, 2010
With just two weeks before New Jersey changes governors, LGBT advocates face challenges in getting a marriage equality law passed. Although Garden State Equality still remains hopeful that the bill can pass, more than 150 demonstrators on the State House steps Monday afternoon were resolved that Democratic legislators who pledged to pass the bill would be held accountable if they reneged on their promises. [Link]

Voice for Equality: NY state Senator John Sampson

John L. Sampson represents District 19 in the New York State Senate, which comprises Crown Heights, East Flatbush, as well as portions of Brownsville, Canarsie and Spring Creek Towers. On June 15, 2009, Sampson was elevated to the leadership of the Democratic Conference of the State Senate. As Conference Chairman, he is responsible for the day to day operations and the legislative agenda of the Democratic Caucus. He serves in leadership alongside former Majority Leader and Temporary Senate President Malcolm Smith. Elected in 1996, Sampson is the Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee and Deputy Majority Leader for State/Federal Relations. He is a former Ranking Minority Member of the Senate Health Committee. Learn more here.

On December 2, 2009, the marriage equality bill, introduced by New York Governor David A. Paterson, sponsored by Senator Thomas K. Duane, and already passed three times by the Assembly, went down to defeat. One thing that was clear in the aftermath was that the governor, Duane and marriage equality advocates, would need to work hand in glove with Democratic Conference leader John Sampson of Brooklyn in whipping the vote.

In a December 10, 2009 op-ed article for Gay City News entitled, "Knocking Down the Door, " Senator Sampson made the case for marriage equality being "the most significant equal rights movement of this generation." He compared the struggle for the freedom to marry to the women's suffrage and civil rights movements, pointing out that neither achieved victory quickly. In the end, he asserted, same-sex couples will enjoy full marriage rights:

Each and every tomorrow will bring us closer to the equality we seek with outstretched arms, determination in our eyes, and faith in our heart. I remain personally committed to marriage equality and will continue to dedicate the full spectrum of my energies to making marriage equality a reality in the state of New York. [Link]

Freedom to Marry salutes NY state Senator John Sampson as a Voice for Equality. In evoking civil rights history, language and parallels, the leader of the New York Democratic Conference has now clearly committed to passing the marriage bill, and will be accountable to do so by January 2011 or sooner.

If Senator Sampson's support inspires you - get involved.

**Make your NOMINATION for a Voice for Equality today!

Pride Agenda Executive Director Reacts to Today's Vote on Marriage Equality in the New York State Senate

Empire State Pride Agenda
December 2, 2009
From Pride Agenda Executive Director Alan Van Capelle:

While we are disappointed by today’s vote, we are pleased that the issue of marriage equality at last was debated in the New York State Senate. We had long called for a public debate on this matter so we could determine who was truly on our side.

It is a step forward for our democratic process in New York that a debate and vote have now occurred. Now we know where we stand, and where we need to concentrate our efforts in the future.

We are incredibly thankful to those who have stood with us and will continue to stand with us as our community presses forward to win marriage equality. In this regard:

We thank Governor Paterson for his unstinting support;

We thank each of the Senators who pushed for a vote and stood with us when it was time to be counted;

We also thank the members of the New York State Assembly—led by Speaker Sheldon Silver and Assemblymember Daniel O’Donnell—who have three times now voted for marriage equality by increasingly bipartisan majorities; and

We thank our many allies in the labor, faith and the business communities for their support and willingness to speak out.

To the tens of thousands of LGBT New Yorkers who have worked hard for equality, and to those who may for the very first time have become politically involved due to this fight, our message is as follows:

Our fight continues. Marriage equality is coming to New York . Time clearly is on our side and you can be sure that we will never stop working until we win.

To those Senators who do not yet see our families as deserving the same protections as other families in New York , our message is simple:

We are more committed than ever to this fight. We will redouble our efforts in your district to ensure that our voice is heard. We know our cause is just. We know that a growing majority of New Yorkers believes in the same values of fairness and equality that we do. If you cannot support us, we will find candidates for public office who do, and we will work through the democratic system to affect needed change.

[Link]

Statement from Freedom To Marry's Evan Wolfson on today's NYS Senate Vote

Freedom to Marry
December 2, 2009

Today’s vote in the New York State Senate is painfully disappointing, especially coming so close to Tuesday's historic vote in the District of Columbia and last night's vote by the NY Assembly in favor of marriage. The pro-equality senators told deeply moving, personal stories, drawing on their commitment to treating others as we all want to be treated, their beliefs, and their experiences as people of color, people of diverse faiths, and people with gay loved ones, to explain their decisions to vote for the freedom to marry. Those opposed had nothing to say to justify their denial of marriage to their neighbors. The more we speak out, the sooner we will get people, and our country, to its promise of equality, liberty, and justice for all. [Link]

NY State Assembly Passes Marriage Equality Bill for Third Time in Two Years

CBS6Albany.com
December 2, 2009
The New York State Assembly on Tuesday voted 86-51 to pass a bill that would allow marriage equality in the state. This vote would expedite the bill moving to the Governor for signature in the event that the state Senate votes its approval. [Link]

Click here to support the urgent marriage equality fight in New York.

New York Assembly Vote on Marriage Signals Continued Momentum

Empire State Pride Agenda
December 2, 2009

Just a few moments ago, the New York State Assembly passed marriage equality legislation for the second time this year in a bipartisan vote of 86 to 51. By taking a vote in what is called an “extraordinary session,” the Assembly has removed any obstacle to the bill being sent to the Governor for his signature if the Senate votes on the bill when it reconvenes tomorrow to conduct business.

The Pride Agenda gives special thanks to the New York State Assembly, under the leadership of Speaker Sheldon Silver, that has now voted and passed the marriage equality bill three times. Our thanks also to the legislation’s prime sponsor Assemblymember Danny O’Donnell for leading the successful effort again on the floor.

It is anticipated that forces opposing marriage equality may be coming to Albany tomorrow to put pressure on the State Senate to take no action on the bill. We continue to expect the Senate to give this issue the respectful debate and vote it deserves. [Link]

Take action and contact your state senator here!

Fate of Marriage Equality Bill in Albany Unclear

The New York Times
November 9, 2009
A marriage equality bill approved by the N.Y. Assembly and headed to the state Senate needs 32 votes to pass. Supporters of the legislation acknowledge the uncertainty of its passage, "but are determined to get legislators on record on the issue." [Link]

U.S. Conference of Mayors Passes Resolution Supporting the Freedom to Marry

Freedom to Marry Press Release
June 15, 2009

U.S. Conference of Mayors Passes Resolution Supporting the Freedom to Marry
Mayors Across the Country Pledge to Lead the Fight Against Inequality

The U.S. Conference of Mayors today passed a resolution in support of ending the exclusion of gay couples from marriage. The resolution, titled "Equality and Civil Rights for Gay and Lesbian Americans," included support for the freedom to marry along with endorsement of federal bills such as Employment Non-Discrimination Act, the Military Readiness Enhancement Act, the Uniting American Families Act, and the Matthew Shepard Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act.

“By passing this resolution, America's mayors spoke for the families they know and serve in communities across the country, and said that excluding those families from the freedom to marry must stop,” said Evan Wolfson, executive director of Freedom to Marry and author of Why Marriage Matters: America, Equality and Gay People's Right to Marry. “The mayors have their fingers on the pulse of the country, and their voices today said loud and clear that ending discrimination in marriage is the way to go.”

In reference to the freedom to marry, the resolution stated, “BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that The U.S. Conference of Mayors supports marriage equality for same-sex couples, and the recognition and extension of full equal rights to such unions, including family and medical leave, tax equity, and insurance and retirement benefits, and opposes the enshrinement of discrimination in the federal or state constitutions.”

“The nation’s mayors are proud to take the lead in recognizing the importance of protecting all our citizens equally. It is now time for state legislatures and our federal government to enact the same protections for all our nation’s citizens,” said U.S. Conference of Mayors President Greg Nickels, Mayor of Seattle.

“The mayors' leadership reaffirms that the freedom to marry should not be partisan or political, but rather is part of the security and respect all couples who've made a commitment to care for one another and who are dealing with life's ups and downs should have, especially in these challenging economic times." said Wolfson. “Now the New York State Senate should be the next to lead the nation on the path to equality by swiftly passing the freedom to marry bill into law.”

New York's Assembly passed the marriage bill in May, and political leaders from across the state, including New York City's Independent/Republican Mayor Michael Bloomberg and U.S. Senators Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand, have called on the State Senate to follow suit in the next few weeks. New York Governor David Paterson is ready to sign the bill. New Jersey also has a governor pledged to sign the state’s pending freedom to marry bill once it reaches his desk.

View the Resolution: http://www.freedomtomarry.org/pdfs/Mayors_Resolution.pdf

(Link)

Why I Took Action in NY and Why You Should Today Too

By Megan Kinninger
Program Manager, Freedom to Marry
June 4, 2009

I live in New York and over the last few months, I've been asked by my fellow New Yorkers and friends from across the country, "So what do you think? Can we win the freedom to marry in New York this year?"

There is currently a bill pending in the New York legislature that would end the exclusion of gay couples from marriage. We have just a couple of weeks until the New York legislature adjourns their session. The bill already passed the Assembly, where it gained even more votes in support since it passed in 2007. Governor Paterson introduced the bill and promises to sign it. It's just the state senate that we need to vote in support, and the vote count is tight.

In response to those who ask about marriage equality in New York, I say, "Yes, we have a very real chance to win, but it's up to each of us to act now. If we talk about it and contact our friends, our family, anyone we know in New York, or anyone we know who knows anyone in New York, then we have a much better chance."

A lot of people respond with, "Well, what should I say to people to have them take action or respond to their questions about why this issue matters?"

My response, "Make it personal. Explain in personal terms why you care about marriage equality and what you've done to take action."

Personally, given my passion for politics, I care about ending the exclusion of gay couples from marriage because I believe in the principles America was founded upon, freedom and equality. It's my job as an American citizen to promote and protect these principles, which includes the freedom to marry the person you love, for everyone in our country.

Even more personally, I want to marry the person I love. Our commitment to each other deserves nothing less than the dignity and respect, and protections and responsibilities, that the state provides through a marriage license.

So today, I ask everyone to do the following three things:

1) If you live in New York, contact your senator today here

2) Wherever you live, contact anyone you know in New York, or even anyone who you think might know people in New York, and tell them why the freedom to marry is important to you and how they can contact senators in New York.

3) Start a conversation today about how you took action in New York.

Two weeks ago, I emailed my senator to tell him to support the marriage equality bill. It was really simple. I just went to Empire State Pride Agenda's action center, typed in info to make sure it went to my senator, and pressed send.

My senator even responded with a nice message saying that he supports the freedom to marry and is working to educate his colleagues to support the legislation.

Also, with this blog post, I will be emailing everyone I know requesting they contact everyone they know to pass it on, talk about why marriage matters to them, and contact NY senators.

I must emphasize, the vote is still very close in the senate and we have less than a couple of weeks left, possibly just 18 days. Just yesterday, Nate Silver over at FiveThirtyEight.com wrote about the latest poll taken of the state senators on the marriage equality bill pending in the legislature. He wrote,

"That makes the count 20 yea votes and 28 nay votes, with 14 senators undecided. [Victory]will require 12 of the 14 undecided votes to pass."

Yes, it's that close. And the best way to change undecideds to yes is to take action now and show your support. As the Executive Director of Empire State Pride Agenda, Alan Van Capelle, said,

"If legislators were truly intent on voting no, then they wouldn't still be talking to the Empire State Pride Agenda. They still wouldn't be taking meetings with supporters of marriage equality in their districts. They're looking for a reason to get to yes."

Don't wait another second. Give the NY senators a reason to get to yes today by doing the above three things. Also, Empire State Pride Agenda just announced that next week they will host a statewide marriage call-in day next week. To receive the action alert on the day of action, sign up here and they will show you how to tell your friends also.

Equality will never be achieved without action. Make your difference today, and pass this post to your friends, to bring New York a few steps closer to equality for all families.

NY Times Editorial: Vote on Freedom to Marry

New York Times
June 3, 2009
Six states have now made it legal for same-sex couples to marry. New York is not one of them. Gov. David Paterson wants the state to guarantee that right, and the protections that come with it, and the Assembly approved legislation legalizing same-sex marriage last month. It is time for the Senate to decide this important matter in public. [link]

New Hampshire Becomes Sixth State to Embrace Freedom to Marry

Freedom to Marry
June 3, 2009
New Hampshire’s Governor John Lynch today signed into law a freedom to marry bill approved by the Senate and House. The state now joins Massachusetts, Connecticut, Iowa, Vermont, and Maine in ending the exclusion of gay couples from marriage.

“New Hampshire has now become the third state to move past civil unions to marriage, recognizing that there is no substitute for the freedom to marry and equality for all,” said Evan Wolfson, executive director of Freedom to Marry and author of Why Marriage Matters: America, Equality and Gay People's Right to Marry. “And Governor Lynch has become the latest moderate elected official to move to support the freedom to marry, providing a good example to, and continuing momentum for, the legislators now considering marriage bills in states such as New York and New Jersey.”

Gay couples can apply for marriage licenses starting January 1, 2010 when the law goes into effect in New Hampshire.

“Elected officials in states such as New Hampshire, Maine, and Vermont have taken in the lessons from states such as Massachusetts and countries such as Canada – where same-sex couples have been marrying for five years now without using up the marriage licenses,” said Wolfson. “As we end exclusion from marriage, families are helped and no one is hurt.”

Freedom to Marry salutes the leadership of New Hampshire Freedom to Marry Coalition and all who worked tirelessly in the legislature and in the public to achieve equality in New Hampshire.

All eyes are now on New York and New Jersey, whose governors have pledged to sign the pending freedom to marry bills once they reach their desks. New York's Assembly passed the marriage bill in May, and political leaders from across the state, including New York City's Independent/Republican Mayor Michael Bloomberg and U.S. Senators Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand, have called on the State Senate to follow suit in the next few weeks. (Link)

Is Marriage Equality Coming or Going in NY State?

FiveThirtyEight
June 3, 2009
Nate Silver walks through a poll of NY senators on the marriage equality bill pending in the New York legislature. The bill already passed the Assembly and the Governor pledged to sign the bill once it gets to his desk. Silver writes, "That makes the count 20 yea votes and 28 nay votes, with 14 senators undecided. Gay marriage will require 12 of the 14 undecided votes to pass." (Link)

Celebrities Champion State’s Marriage Equality Bill

New York Times
May 29, 2009
Celebrities such as Maya Angelou, Cynthia Nixon and Paul Tagliabue are lobbying some N.Y. state senators to vote in favor of marriage equality bill which already passed the state Assembly. Only one month remains for the senate to take action before the end of the legislative session. (Link)

Pride Agenda Statement on Prop 8 Decision

Pride Agenda
May 26, 2009
"I believe that New York is getting ready to join its neighbors here in the Northeast. We are on the verge of passing legislation that would finally give same-sex couples in New York the 1,324 rights and protections that come with a state marriage license. Our State Assembly and our Governor have already made it clear that no family in New York should be denied the vital legal security of a civil marriage license—and that LGBT New Yorkers should never be treated like second-class citizens." [Link]

California Supreme Court Fails to Overturn Proposition 8

New Ballot Campaign Needed to Restore the Freedom to Marry

The California Supreme Court today let stand Proposition 8, continuing marriage discrimination in California.  The Court refused to undo the 18,000 marriages that same-sex couples celebrated in 2008, so that those couples remain married even while other California couples are, for now, barred from joining in marriage.

“The California Supreme Court today failed to uphold the core principle of American constitutional government that a simple majority may not selectively vote away a fundamental right from a minority targeted for invidious, suspect reasons,” said Evan Wolfson, executive director of Freedom to Marry and author of Why Marriage Matters: America, Equality and Gay People's Right to Marry.  “It is now going to be up to the people of California to undo Prop 8's discriminatory misstep through a ballot-measure in 2012 or sooner.  The Prop 8 campaign is over; the campaign to restore the freedom to marry and remove this blemish on the constitution and cruel hardship on California's gay couples and their families is now underway.”  

As the groundwork for a new ballot initiative to restore the freedom to marry in California and overturn Proposition 8 begins, rallies and opportunities for people to voice their disapproval of this decision and get involved with efforts to overturn this discrimination will take place across the state of California and the entire country over the next week.

“We all must take our anger and frustration over this disappointing decision and focus on the conversations and renewed, constructive engagement and persuasion needed to restore the freedom to marry,” Wolfson said.  “The most important thing we can all do is talk with those around us about why marriage equality is important to us and help more states, including California, follow the good example of Massachusetts, Connecticut, Vermont, Iowa, and the others that have ended exclusion from marriage.”

Freedom to Marry commends the leadership of National Center for Lesbian Rights, Lambda Legal, the American Civil Liberties Union, and the City and County of San Francisco, who represented six same-sex couples and Equality California in this case.    Thanks is also due to the array of civil rights groups and supportive organizations who filed amicus briefs in support of overturning Prop 8 including African-American, Hispanic, and Asian/Pacific civil rights organizations; cities such as San Francisco and Los Angeles; teachers and child-welfare professionals; religious leaders; businesses and labor unions; and advocates for same-sex couples and their families.

Despite today's flawed court ruling, momentum for the freedom to marry continues across the nation.  Since April, three more states—Iowa through court decision and Vermont and Maine through legislative action—have the freedom to marry, joining Massachusetts and Connecticut.

All eyes are now on New York, New Hampshire, and New Jersey, whose governors have pledged to sign the pending freedom to marry bills once they reach their desks.  New York's Assembly passed the marriage bill in May, and political leaders from across the state, including New York City's Independent/Republican Mayor Michael Bloomberg and U.S. Senators Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand, have called on the State Senate to follow suit in the next few weeks.  New Hampshire’s Senate already approved the bill, but the House is still studying it in committee.

Why the New York GOP Should Embrace the Freedom to Marry

NY Daily News Op-Ed
May 22, 2009
Meghan McCain: "I support marriage equality. It is the best and fairest way to grant gay and lesbian neighbors and family members the protections and responsibilities that they need to provide for their family and give back to their community. As Republicans, we understand the importance of strong communities. Last week, the New York Assembly passed the marriage bill with the support of five Republican Assembly members. Now, the bill goes before the state Senate, where Republican senators will make the difference on whether the bill becomes law or dies. Once again, New York has the opportunity to make a statement about Republican values and fairness by passing the marriage bill." [link]

Take action in New Hampshire and New York today!

The New Hampshire Assembly just voted to send a freedom to marry bill to conference committee to work out final details (read more here). Frustrated? Call a House legislator in New Hampshire.

Or another simple action everyone can take right now is to get involved in New York! Call your friends, family, anyone you know in New York and tell them to take action here and call their State Senator today: http://www.prideagenda.org/marriage/

Big Assembly Win Sends Marriage Bill to Senate

Gay City News
May 13, 2009
After an emotional debate that ran more than three hours -- about as long as when the question was first taken up in 2007 -- the New York State Assembly passed Governor David Paterson's marriage equality bill on May 12, by an 89-52 vote. Now the bill moves to the Senate where advocates are working hard to gain majority support. (Link)

NY Senator Malcolm on Marriage Equality

NY Daily News Blog
May 12, 2009
Senate Majority Leader Malcolm Smith released a statement reiterating both his personal support for the governor's program bill and his intention to continue working to get the 32 votes necessary to pass it in his chamber.

"The momentum is shifting- marriage equality will be a reality in New York and I welcome that day," Smith said. "Today, it will be passed by the Assembly, and I congratulate Speaker Silver, Assemblyman O’Donnell and their colleagues for a noteworthy achievement.

It is my goal to realize that same accomplishment in the Senate and as a strong supporter of marriage equality legislation, I will continue to work until we have sufficient votes to pass it.

Marriage equality is about equal rights and basic personal freedom that no person should ever be denied. I remain steadfast in my commitment to protecting those rights and ensuring that all New Yorkers can enjoy a privilege which is fundamentally theirs." (Link)