It feels like we've discussed same-sex marriage in New York more than State lawmakers have. Senate Majority Leader Malcolm Smith says he won't bring the bill to the floor unless it has the 32 votes it needs to pass. Why wait? Lawmakers should give their opinion on this issue one way or the other. Much like our viewers do below... Read on. Especially if you are a State lawmaker.

Today is the first day of Pride Month, and some State lawmakers are renewing the push to legalize same-sex marriage. The Assembly recently passed a bill to allow gay couples to marry in New York, but the Senate Judiciary Committee has yet to bring it to a vote.

Supporters of the law say gay couples are being denied equal treatment. Opponents argue marriage should be between a man and woman. What do you say?

Should the State Senate debate and vote on legalizing same-sex marriage, or are there more important issues to deal with in New York right now? Do you think the bill has a chance of passing? How would you like your State lawmaker to vote?

Send us your thoughts using the link above.

Hi John;

I believe state should uphold the traditional meaning of marriage. All people have the right to live as they choose, but I do not believe one special interest group should have the right to redefine marriage for the rest of society. Traditional marriage and the nuclear family are the fundamental building blocks of our society. Marriage is about bringing men and women, who, through their union, create children and provide for them a stable home. That is why I believe, that marriage is between a man and a woman.

Freddy
Glen Oaks Village

I say it is about a basic human dignity. If the opponents don't want to go along with gay marriage then they don't have to have a same sex marriage.

Rich
Midtown East

We are more concerned with this BS bill, we should be working on the state budget, education, environment, and so on. A man can not marry a dog is that next. They have legal unions that is what they are entitled to.

Tom

Dear John,

I was born during one this country's most conservative, era’s, the 1950's. In those days things were best not seen or heard, or swept under the rug. But through the years and the changing times, and the several non-relationships, I have been in; I now have come to realize that any love between two people, is better then no love at all. So I am for this marriage between same sexes. I realize a lot of couples will fake it, just to get the tax break, as a lot of, men and women do now. I believe as always that the true beneficiaries of all this will be the divorce lawyers, as once, same sex couples get used to the newness of this way of life, it too will, go the way of the, non-same sex marriages; doubling the current divorce rate.

Rick (the every man)
Manhattan (U.E.S.)

Hi John,

This is just another excuse and not a reason to get votes. This motley crew in Albany and in City Hall better get there acts together and start taking care of the important things that really matter to all of us that were born and still live in New York State. Get with it. What equal treatment are they referring to? Yes I am against this.

maxxiee
mp

Marriage is a union between a man and a woman for the purpose of creation. Any other same sex union is immoral, sinful and against the laws of God and mankind.

Thomas
Jackson Heights

These knitwits in Albany are clueless. No wonder they are the most dysfunctional state run gov’t in the USA. Maybe they don’t know about the economy,you know the foreclosures, businesses closing, MTA mess, unemployment on the rise etc.,etc,etc. And to waste time on this issue just proves THEY ARE THE MOST DYSFUNCTIONAL STATE GOVERNMENT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Danny- Silver Lake

John,

I've known and know many gays and lesbians. I worked in the airline industry for about 20 years and can say that the airlines couldn't have operated without them. This was for many years the only industry where gays could get a job and not be harassed. And where they could be openly gay.

I couldn't care less how human beings couple or how many join together. My only objection involves the sanctity of the meaning of words. I'm opposed to changing the meaning of words for the simple reason that, if the meanings are changed, it becomes impossible to communicate and civilization suffers accordingly.

So, my only objection is the use of the word marriage to be anything other than a man and a woman. Call a gay liaison something else that has a heritage in language that describes the relation between same sex couples.

Individual rights are held by everyone. Civil contracts between two (or more for that matter) people defining their relationship should be upheld in court. People should be able to choose the relationship they want. Religious ceremonies have no legal standing, but have powerful personal meanings. Not to me, since I'm an atheist.

Here's a warning about marriage: In the state where I was born, when they passed a no-fault divorce law, half of the ostensibly happily married couples filed for divorce. Marriage does not always result in bliss. So be sure and put an exit clause in that relationship defining contract

Joe
Port Richmond, SI

its much ado about nothin-look the only men who want to get married are gay men so if thats the only way they can derive legal benefits then to hell with the church and the religious right but right now it trivializes this legislature and the dumbed-down media, that this is the only issue worth discussing. How about the middle class getting screwed by medicaid and property taxes.

John
Kissena Park

I think that the senate should legalize same-sex marriage. Anyone who is opposed to it should just take a step back and actually think about it. Hopefully then, the dead-enders will take a deep breath and realize that its not that big of a deal. I hope the "sanctity of marriage" crowd will will think about this while they are with their divorce lawyers. But even then, they probably wouldn't get it.

Mark
Rego Park

Woodside: I am in favor of same-sex marriage.. Gay couples should have the same rights & responsibilties as straight couples.I don't see how this affects the lives of straight people. We are not asking for religious marriage, we want civil marriage. I hope my state senator votes for it.

Rosemary

To the gay community this is important for them and they should pass the law and let it be. The law should prevail for the gay couples in New York,

Anna
Kips Bay

I still haven't heard a good reason as to why gay and lesbian couples shouldn't be legally able to marry like everyone else. Why should they be denied the 50% divorce rate? Seriously though, how does allowing them to marry effect my life in any disernable way? I still can't figure that one out.

D'Andra
South Bronx

Dear John,

The Senate should vote. Despite the the Democratic caucus' failure to achieve a majority on this issue, there will no doubt be several Repbulicans who will surprise us. The issue of marriage equality often turns on very personal experience -- sons and daughters, sisters and brothers, long kept secrets.

Sincerely,

Tom
Brooklyn Heights

Of course the state senate should vote on it. Along with other important issues. It's an equality issue that's all. Everyone who pays taxes should have the same rights. The LGBT community doesn't condemn ANYONE for their choice in marriage. Mormans have more than one wife, yet they were responsible for Gay Marriage (Prop 8 loosing in CA.. Women marry younger men, men marry younger women, people marry for visas. The LBGT NEVER CONDEMNS ANY OF THEM Equal is equal. Marriage is just a name. If the LGBT community can't marry then they should stop paying for all those Hetro couples kids through taxes! Why should anyone pass judgment on someone else.

Rich/Chelsea

The Senators should definately pass this bill. This is not a religious issue, no ones right are being taken away by passing it. Its like the old boy's club we have the right but dont want you to have it.... It is a civil issue of equal rights, pure and simple....

David
Queens

it is insane to base the granting of civil rights on public approval and popularity if that were always the case the minorities of this country would never get any legal and economic rights . If you are against gay marriage you must own your prejudice and stop hiding behind your bogus moral judgements. Senator Monserrate you must vote for gay marriage!!

Alison
Jackson Heights

Hello John,

The State Senate should vote on the same sex marriage proposal, pass or fail. Its a civil rights issue, no one is asking any of the City houses of worship to marry same sex couples. Society will not die because Gay people marry. Homosexuality has been with us since time began, we will not go extinct.

John
Manhattan

my name is Moe, from queens. and I dont really care if it gets passed or not. Although America is suppose to be all about freedom, thats what makes it what it is. I think this bill should pass just because of that.

Same sex marriages relate to civil unions not church marriages. The issue is civil rights for members of the same sex who which a union with one another. Opposite sex marriage is a religious matter. There is still separation of church and sex.

Caiphia

Its sad how bigoted our religious citizens are. Marriage has been a part of civilization since before Christianity and to say that your god owns it is truly ignorant.

John

The argument that marriage is for procreation is crap. Are those people saying that 2 sterile people cannot marry, even if they are man and women? Gays can still make babies! All functions work. Everyone can adopt! These kids need homes. Gays should be allowed divorce just as freely as all hetero couples do. Why should Britney Spears marry her friend for 1 day as a joke, but 2 committed same sex people cannot?

Edward
Inwood, Manhattan.

The senate should absolutely pass this bill. At this point, you are talking about an economic or class issue. Same sex marriages that are performed outside of NY are recognized in NY. By not passing it you are creating a situation where those that have the economic means are able to be married and have those rights, and those that don't have the means aren't.

Plus, we are all supposed to be equal under the constitution.

Alex
Astoria

we are talking about basic civil rights here. This country is about church and state being separate. Laws cannot and should not be made based on what religious believes. religious beliefs have no place in law. this law is not about the church accepting and recognizing gay marriage, it is about our country denying rights to a portion of the population. what is next? the constitution being amended to say that homosexuals are only 1/8 a person??

if your religious beliefs don't hold with gay marriage, fine--but our country can no longer deny people their basic civil rights. If politicians were smart, they would realize these people are voters!!! why don't we just take away their rights to vote as well?

Ally in Queens

Hi John,

All I've heard is talk about gay marriage, but what about the other factors. If two men get married, who is the woman figure in the case of divorce, "she" always gets 90% of the settlement. Since gays can't possibly have kids, who's the mom figure, and who's the pop figure if they adopt, actually, should they be allowed to adopt, how do you teach those kids about the biology of the universe.

Additionally, gays always talk about "equal rights," since when is marriage a "right." It's just like a driver's license, it's a privilege, not a right.

Walter,
Staten Island

Dear Staff at NY1

Thank-you for support. I am for the Marriage Equality bill for New York State, this is not a matter of religion, but a matter of civil rights.

best regards,
brian

I am a lesbian and I am not personally in favor of marriage as an institution. However, i am entitled to the right to decide for myself, just like everyone else.

The State Senate should definitely bring the marriage bill up for a vote so that members will have to document their position and finally come out of the closet.

Diane
West Village

there are too many people on the planet alright!!! people abandon their kids... people have kids they can't afford... many heterosexual marriages end in divorce so the argument that marriage between a man and woman is needed for procreation is ridiculous .. heterosexuals need to get their house in order before they judge others!!

Adrienne -- Jackson Heights

My name is Prince from Brooklyn and the bottom line is. If gay people want to get married then let them. If their marriage "affects heterosexual" marriage then that marriage had no worth. If a hetero isn't worried about about another hetero coming into their relationship and ruining it, then why are they so concerned about gay marriage

What if any pair of roommates male or female claimed they were gay to file taxes or otherwise seek financial gain as a result?

Bruce for staten island

I'm for same sex marriage... First of all the initial purpose of marriage was for the exchange of goods and for the joining of kingdoms or estates. Nothing to do with god, religion or anything. Second of all what does same sex marriage have anything to do with other marriages. And for all the people who quote the bible, they leave scriptures out so please google Lilith and get back to the topic at hand. Black white blue or green you have to pay taxes, why should they lose rights because of their preference, if thats the case they deserve a tax break for the inequitable protection of their rights. We are all human. There was a time when African Americans as slave were not allowed to marry. There was a time when people were not allowed to marry for love... Seriously people grow up

Crystal
Mill Basin

This has to be what the bible calls the end of days. And clark from the east village must know this cuz his god is the devil not bashing anyone but stevie wonder can see this is wrong.

Jeff
Harlem

I think yes, G-d made man and woman to biologically procreate. However the "institution of marriage" which includes benefits as "spouse" is a man-made institution, with man-made rules around it. In this day and age, everyone is paying taxes, contributing to their country, and should be treated with equal laws from their country in every way.

-Heidi G.

God should have nothing to do with it. We need to take religion out of the equation entirely.

I agree with Clark - no one is forcing churches to marry people. The marriage equality we are talking about is legal and civil only, which is a point that I think many of the people opposing gay marriage do not understand. No one is trying to affect your lives.

The US is one of the few places where a church can actually legally marry someone, which is a problem in and of itself. In many other countries (England, Sweden, Germany, etc), couples are required to obtain a civil marriage first and only then do they have the ability to have a ceremony where they choose.

The opposition to marriage equality is only the fear of the unknown. Open your hearts, minds and eyes, please people!

Heather, Manhattan

One of your caller asks what God has to do with it. He has everything to do with marriage. He institute marriage and he gave the order in which it must be done. It should be voted down. If it was right there would be no need to fight for equality. They were not born homosexual they choose to be homo. It is a curse.

Dotty

Just a word of comfort to the gentelman who was concerned about Veronica. She is a homophobic West Indian that explains her sentiments.

George from Brooklyn

to all the religious people out there...this country was founded on religious freedom, including freedom from religion. if you can't tolerate it, this country is not for you.

marco, Chelsea

My question is, where do you get these callers from?

-The callers you have put on who are anti-gay marriage are enough to make any homo-phobe change his/her mind!!!

-Even a lax Jew, like me, knows that there is nothing in the 10 Commandments about same sex marriage, as Veronica kept stating.

-As for Juan from S.I., men can penetrate, we can't procreate. You make an issue like this, into a "Jerry Springer Show", when you put so many uninformed, undereducated people on the air. Even those against same-sex unions must have some reasonably coherent reps out there, if not then we're in even bigger trouble as a whole.

Barry on the UES

I have five arguments to make in support of gay marriage:

1 - To say that the human race would become extinct if there were gay marriages is a paranoid fantasy. Roughly 10% of the population is estimated to be gay.

2 - More importantly, with an overpopulation problem and a resulting world food shortage claiming one child's life every 5 seconds to starvation or starvation-related illnesses, we would be doing the world a favor curtailing breeding! If this isn't abominable in the eyes of God, nothing is, for those who are using God against the issue. If anything, God might just be the one pushing things this way to save his creation from a worse fate!

3 - Given the amount of abuse, neglect and downright dysfunction in straight families that learn nothing from the opposite sex except how to abuse each other, gay marriages may help us see what's wrong with our parenting.

4 - Gay marriage may finally stop the "down-low" compensation for not being able to be honest with oneself and with one's partner. In such a household, how do children learn who they truly are and how to honestly and lovingly express themselves? Maybe we need to teach them how to be "up-high" whether they are straight or gay!

5 - If straight marriages have not guaranteed straight offspring, what makes some fear that just because children have two parents of the same sex that they won't raise children who are straight?

Rob
Psychoanalyst, NYC

I strongly have support for same sex marriage especially for Lesbian couples. I really think that everybody should be allow to find anyone they like even if it's two men in love and two women in love.

Tariq of Harlem

how can this country and its governors, senators, advisors, et al, think it is right to go WAR inside other countries to enforce human rights, whilst we cannot bring ourselves to end and abolish gay discrimination, immigrant discrimination, racial discrimination, and so on, and so on?

i ask myself as i watch your show.

PLEASE DO NOT LIST MY NAME, THANK YOU :)

Same sex marriage should be legalized, I am a Christian and the God I serve is a loving God, so called religious Christian folks always want to bring to bring in scripture, according to the Old Jewish law, wearing cotton and polyester is an Abomination, and it was for that time period. The bible doesn't say marriage is only between a man and a woman. That is what man has said. Read the entire story of Sodom and Gomorrah- It is about Hospitality-how you treat your fellowman/woman.

Why is it always about sex, we go to the laundry, bank, etc. Who I sleep with and marry has no effect on your life at all. Feed the hungry, clothe the naked. My church's creed is God is Love,and love is for everyone. John 3:16 says. WHOSOEVER,he did not say only heterosexuals. Be about God's business, don't judge lest ye not be judged.

I have 4 children, 6 grands, and 6 great-grands, and I was married in my church going on 9 years ago. I want the same civil right, human rights as hetersexxuals.

In the pursuit of Peace!
Deacon Pauline