Albany is a peculiar place. Democrats planned to boycott Governor Paterson's budget address today...then they got their names in the paper and decided to show up. Lawmakers then sat quiet as Paterson outlined the fiscal problems facing the state...but applauded when he suddenly mentioned same-sex marriage. Too bad no one has a clue how the 62 Senators will vote. If they vote. Oh, Albany. My sweet, dysfunctional Albany.

Governor Paterson's budget address to a special joint session in Albany drew applause only once today. It happened when he switched topics and encouraged Senators to pass a law legalizing same-sex marriage in New York.

The bill, which already passed the Assembly, hasn't been brought to the floor in the Senate. Democrats hold a 32-30 majority, but a few oppose gay marriage on religious grounds. Paterson wants lawmakers to vote this week, but Majority Leader Pedro Espada says it may be addressed after talks on the budget are complete.

Should Senators vote on same-sex marriage? If so, how would you like your representative to vote? Should gay marriage be a priority in Albany?

Send your thoughts using the link above.

In my hierarchy of things, budget concerns clearly towers over legalizing same -sex marriage. I hope our elected representatives understand that we need solutions to our more pressing problems and not political posturing.

George
Corona

We are in a recession, unemployment is at an all time high, NYC is running a huge deficit, New York State is running a huge deficit. These are the priorities our worthless legislators in Albany should put their energy into not waste their time and our tax money pandering to homosexuals. Our society is graying, we are on the verge of being overrun by the Islamo-Fascists. We need men and women producing children not homosexual unions.

Eddie from Brooklyn

The Marriage Equality Bill vote is long past due. With this issue the Senators have been playing political Volleyball and Diaz, Espada, and Sampson should be ashamed of themselves for doing so. Playing politics with peoples rights and futures is not what this Senate was elected to do. Now is the time to make the bill Law.

David

I'm strongly opposed to gay marriage- Our budget & economy should be the Governor;s top priority.?What is wrong with our elected officials?

Elizabeth, LIC

we have a crisis on the budget and this jerk is pushing his liberal platform. WE can not get rid of jerk soon enough.

tom
new dorp

I WOULD LIKE A NEW RULE. IF YOU ARE A MEMBER OF A CLERGY, YOU MAY NOT HOLD OFFICE. I HAVE A SECOND RULE. IF YOU ARE SO INTO YOUR FAITH OR RELIGION THAT YOU CAN NOT BE UNBIASED BECAUSE OF THAT RELIGION, RECUSE YOURSELF FROM VOTING. HETEROSEXUAL MARRIAGE IS NOT THE PACE CAR FOR SUCCESSFUL MARRIAGES. RELIGION IS NOT SUCH A GREAT EXAMPLE EITHER, WITH ALL THE SCANDALS RELATING TO THEM. IT WOULD BE ABOUT TIME THAT WE EMBRACE THE NOTION THAT DESPITE THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN US, THE MORE WE ACTUALLY HAVE IN COMMON.

LOVE BEING ONE OF THE COMMON.

JOE, BAY TERRACE

Hi John,

What ever happened to the very strict marriage laws of New York State? No one could get a divorce unless you can prove adultery. I also want to know that if anyone was married to someone in any branch of the service they could not receive any benefits unless they were married 10 or more years to get any benefits at all.

This is also another cheep trick in order to get votes. Frankly we are all more than sick an tired of it all. Take care of the more important business at hand. They just can't keep changing or ignoring laws to please themselves. We also just keep being called names having fingers pointed at us and I don't like it one bit at all.

They should knock it off.

maxxiee
mp

Glad you brought up the issue, as a Christian Protestant and a mom- to me this is an abomination before the Lord as the "Bible " States - Gay marriage should never be allowed -Look at what all these sins have done to America as it is - And even though our History books today do not teach all the truth of our great American History of our founding father's. This country is Founded and Built on the word of the one true God!

Colleen
Rockaway Park

Misery loves company. I say Yes. Also the ones who object other than on religious grounds need to be outted. (theyre still in the closet)

John
Kissena Park

Of course they should vote on the bill and pass it as well as the budget. But knowing this senate, who decided to take an unauthorized break a few months ago, I'm sure this too will be as controversial and, in their usual fashion, the Senate will once again drag it's feet.

Rich/Chelsea

Hardly a priority issue. Put it to the ballot in November 2010, let the voters decide this once and for all.

Dan
New Dorp, SI

Passing gay marriage is such a no-brainer that they should just do so and then move on. They have to then find a way to deal with the budget that does NOT make further cuts to education.

Anni
Upper West Side

I think the same sex marriage is not an issue of religion. That should be left to church and individuals opinions in their own houses. Although some of the viewers opinions seems not to be understanding of what homosexuality is as it is a given situation as it is to be heterosexual or to have black or red hair. It's something u cannot change is given in ur genes since day one. Its not a justification is the reality and whoever has a gay family member will feel this way.

What matters here is a civil right that needs to be recognized.
"What is equal is not an advantage."

It's not a matter of being in US or NY or San Francisco it's a universal right of being human and get to decide who want to live your life with and have all the rights that by law u own and deserve as a marriage couple.

No one is to decide or judge that on anybody else!

J. Ramos
Manhattan

Their shouldnt not even be a disscion over this. Lets flip the role and lets ask if straight couples should get married and see. The bible has nothing todo with this. Their are gay men and women overseas fighting and dieing everyday to do what protect those who wanna judge us gay men and women. Look at who has done more in respects of community service, giving to homeless, ext its the gay community it bothers me thats straight people will allow gays to save their life and fight for their right to live but they wanna try to restrict are happiness its not about the paper of marriage its about being treated equal

Jason
Manhattan

I want to point out to everyone that New York currently recognizes international same-sex marriages under the law. I know of at least one gay couple who married in Canada, then returned to New York City and are now considered married with all resulting benefits.

Mike

I believe that same sex marriage should be granted in New York. It is a issue that is based on two people committed to each other. People talk about being Catholic and the churches belief, homosexually has been around since the being of time,including in the church. It is not our right to decide who should be marry or not. Everyone deserves the right to be happy. We worry about two woman and two men being married, this should not be an issued and definitely not the neighborhoods. Oh my! Who are the ones murdering and rapping children in their homes? How many same sex relationships with children are in the papers for being emotionally, sexually and physically abused.

Telecom

The best way to stop a particular race is abortion and homosexuality. Just whose the most inflicted. The white catholic race that is who. God help us.

Eileen, Rockaway Beach

How disappointing it is to hear the gay marriage foes state their opinions about the issue. I have yet to hear an intelligent argument against gay marriage; rather, religion and silence continues to be evoked. Oh, and 'backburner?' Using that term to describe where one should put another's rights is disturbing. The subjugation of minorities in this country is nothing new, but we appear to be okay with allowing it happen through every generation. I used to wonder what it was like for a white man to stand next to a black man in this country 50 or so years ago, when under the law their rights were different, one superior to the other. I wondered how the white man was able to swallow that inequality and look his black peer in the eye, knowing he was enjoying legal discrimination. That practiced continued on until it became uncomfortable to support inequality. Is that what we're waiting for? Must we wait until our straight friends and foes feel uncomfortable in our 2nd class citizen presence? I certainly hope not.

James
Greenwich Village, NYC

The reason to pass the same sex marriage bill is clearer when you talk specifically about the civil rights at stake. Not only tax benefits, but more importantly things like if 2 people are in a same sex relationship for 20 years and one gets sick and is in the hospital, the other doesn't have the same visiting rights as a married couple would...how sad and unfair.

Allison
Upper East Side

I do not believe in gay marriage, however if that is what some people choose, then they should make a law to protect them in case one partner dies, the other one should not have legal problems afterwards.

Linda

The fact that there is an even an argument about this topic, shows just how far we still need to come as a people. I was raised Catholic and when I learned I could think for myself, I rised above the need for a religion. These people deserve the same rights as anyone born in this country deserves. Just because they are living their lives in a way that you may not agree with, that in no way gives you the right to come police their actions.

If the world was meant for everyone to be the same, we all would be. And that is certainly not the case. It is time for people to open their eyes and see that in the end we are all just trying to live our lives in a way that makes us happy, and if they are not breaking the law, just leave them alone. In any case heterosexual unions have made a total mockery of the marriage institution anyway, maybe they can make it mean something again,

Irania
(King Highway Brooklyn)

The bill will be passed. this is sodom & gomorrah times. just as the time the murderer was set free & Jesus was given death penalty.

ju

Yes, absolutely, I want my senator to vote for gay marriage. This is about civil rights, and denying the gay and lesbian community this right is a disgrace. People who claim it is against their religion as a basis to deny these rights don't seem to understand that this country was set up based on the separation of church and state. This law does not grant gay marriages in a church; it is a civil union. Religions that make it their policy to fund campaigns to deny people their civil rights in my opinion are not what a religion's intent should be. That money could be better spent in feeding the starving, or housing the homeless, or setting up daycare for working mothers.

Fritz
Washington Heights, NYC

People cite the Bible - the Bible also seemed okay with a father having sex with his two daughters after getting drunk. So is that moral these days, since it's in the Bible?

Vera

The point is who cares! They should vote and pass this. The government should move on to issues that affect peoples lives I.e the economy, 2 conflicts overseas and a horrible health care system. Come on get real...who cares if gays want to get married!!!

Midhat

Oh my. This is just stupid!! I'm only 12 years old. The government needs some help. Honestly, who do they think they are?? Sure, gay people should be allowed to married. But about other things, I mean I could think of more genius things. What is wrong with these people? Are presidents really robots? They all end up terribly!! Don't get me wrong, there were good presidents. But the modern government is just so stupid!

Jenny

I agree with gay marriages.. I dont understand why people care about whos getting married to whom or whos sleeping with whom.. Pay attention to your own life and maybe people wont be so bitter

Jess from Forest Hills Queens

The subject of same sex marriage is an issue of equal rights. How can any true American say that equal rights should be placed on the "back burner?" Under that view, African Americans would still be educated in "separate" but "equal" schools. The budget is important, no doubt about it. But nothing is more important that the fundamental freedoms guaranteed by the Bill of Rights and the Constitution of this country and this state.

Diane
New York City

I don’t understand the argument that there are bigger priorities right now. Yes, of course the economy is the primary policy issue of our day but a legislature can handle more than one issue at a time. How many bills or proclamations has the State Senate passed in the past year that have nothing to do with the economy? But this one bill shouldn’t be considered now because the economy is in the tank? Ridiculous. If you want to look at it economically, think about the huge bump in spending that will come from all the ensuing marriages. Weddings, receptions, vacations, property. There’s your stimulus.

All of this is beside the main point: civil rights.

Steve in Manhattan

the institution of marriage has evolved and changed for centuries now. marriage is a civil right that ALL citizens of NY should enjoy. god didnt create a man and woman for the purpose of marriage as some callers suggest (ignorantly so).

if those who oppose gay marriage really understood how difficult it is for the LGBT community to not be able to enjoy the benefits of marriage (hospital visitations that do not involve mountains of paperwork, protection of children born to gay parents to name the few) and if they spent time around LGBT community that counts ppl such as myself, I am sure that their hearts and minds will slowly start to evolve. I

n terms of priority, I just do not understand how difficult it is to address the unemployment and healthcare issues and gay marriage all in one day.

If senators would stop playing politics with our lives by trading votes, etc. this could have been done already!

Selma
Brooklyn

Hey guys, quick answer. The budget will take months maybe years to fix. Gay marriage takes less then a week.. Stop the foolishness keep ur moral thoughts to yourself.

Gabriel
L.E.S

I think there might be a problem with the language on this issue. Marriage is a religious sacrament. The decision to bestow it to persons of any sexual preference should be the particular religious groups' hierarchy to decide.

The state is in the business of providing legal cover and protection to persons who decide to live together and create a family entity. All human beings should have that right.

Lets vote on it now, and extend that protection to all and be done with this useless and time consuming conversation.

Those who choose to base their lives on books written by religious fanatics thousands of years ago, in the darkness of ages, are free to abide by them. This much touted book, by the way, describes arrogance and judgement of other fellow human beings as the ultimate sin.

thanks,
Patrick

Marriage is a civil issue and should not involve religion. Since when does the majority get to vote on whether or not I am treated equally? Was it put to a vote as to whether a white person and an african-american person were allowed to get married? Are guaranteed rights such as life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness not applicable to gay people?

Allowing my life issues to be decided by people based on ignorance and prejudice is a violation of my civil rights and is no longer acceptable. We are dealing with life issues and death issues and everything in between. Now is the time...

Ellen

I say no there are a lot more important things like the immigration
reform law. Governor please don't pass this law. It's a disgrace to our country

--nicholaschic

It's not just about gay marriage but about the civil rights we get
from this. This had NITHING to do with the bible. There is a
separation between church and state. The church does not run the
country.

Gonzalo

I can't believe the guy who commented he doesn't want New York to turn into San Francisco and the others who say its against their faith.

Please tell them to think about their faith for a minute. They were asked in the Bible to love their enemy. When you prevent Gay men and women from getting legally married, you are not asking the state to allow these marriages in the churches or even to recognize them in your religions. We are only asking that the civil right to be married be the same for same sex as opposite sex. The government nor the church is allowed to regulate our sexuality. This is why its called "Free Will"

And to the man who doesn't want Gays to flood the city, may I remind him that Gay men and women work just as hard to make New York the greatest city in the world just like everyone else. We are fire fighters, police, doctors and nurses. We are in almost every industry and many Gays are involved in entertainment like Broadway. What would New York be without the shows, the fashion and the art? What would the churches look like without the Architects who were gay and rejected by the church still managed to love their brothers and sisters who rejected them, only to design some of the world's most incredible houses of worship.

Immorality? Everyone is a sinner and falls short of the Glory of God. May he forgive all our sins, none of them are greater than the other.

Glen - Southerner Moved to NYC in 2006

Dear The Call on NY1,

I would like Senator Carl Kruger to vote YES this week or next week on Marriage Equality.

Thank you.
Jean from Brighton Beach, Brooklyn

It is Wrong, wrong , wrong. Read Liviticus 16 the Bible speaks truth

Herma

HI AM RICK FROM QUEENS MUST SAY AM TOTALLY AGAINST IT CUS WHAT TYPE OF EXAMPLE ARE WE SETTING OUR KIDS

I cannot believe this is even an issue.

NO person in this country should have fewer rights than any other person.

Whatever your personal god is, he or she has absolutely nothing to do with this. The fact that it is being debated state by state is detestable and makes us a joke in the rest of the world.

When my wife and I wanted to get married we did not have to go to the senate, we went to city hall and had a party. All citizens should be able to do the same.

Feel free to use my entire real name.

Karl

jason from queens. i think gay marriage should be put on the back burner and besides who says marriage is a good thing anyway?

I'm a Roman Catholic, and I firmly support passage of this bill. If you're a man that doesn't want to marry a man, then don't. Catholics don't invade Jewish weddings and vice versa, so why relegate one section of society to a lesser status? Didn't we already figure out that separate is NOT equal? Bottom line: we all deserve the same rights, no matter what religious belief you have. This is about civil rights, not politics or religion. Pass the bill and move on already.

Joey,
Brooklyn
Teacher

I’m straight and believe that LOVE is LOVE. Gays and Lesbians will most likely have the same level of success (and failure) in marriage as the rest of us. The Politicians should vote Yes on Gay Marriage.

Evan, Forest Hills

I believe same sex marriage should be legalized. it is 2009, time are very different from the 50s. If two women and two men are in love, who is the government to say who we are to love? Though it may be controversial, it would make many many people feel more comfortable and happy with themselves. it is not an issue with the church. it is matters of peoples happiness, and should not be based on other's judgemental opinion's. New York should set an example for the rest of the country to follow!

-Dani, from Glendale

YES, they should vote for gay marriage quickly for...

1. moral issues (my priority)

2. for economic reasons: The wedding industry in NY would flourish which would bring $ to the city. Think of how much $ is spent in NY for weddings now, I'd think that it could double if we allow same sex weddings -- we'd attract more tourists to come to the city to get married not to mentioned a whole new market of NY residents of all ages who would take advantage of their new right sooner rather than later (in case it gets voted out like it did in CA). So if you do not agree with the morality argument, think $$.

Anne from Manhattan

I consider myself to be a Christian man, but that word has become sullied by those self-professed "Christians" such as Colleen from Far Rockaway. I wonder how she knows how God (or the Lord, as she puts it) feels about gay marriage or any subject, for that matter. As I take my faith seriously, nothing rankles me more than using any faith as a basis for prejudice. Any kind of union between same-sex couples being legally recognized is important and has been a long time coming. Any person who feels otherwise should try and picture a society where heterosexual love is illegal (there IS a published short story on that subject, btw) and place themselves in it. Ten to one they'd be screaming for reform within one beat of their little small-minded hearts.

Keith, Inwood Manhattan

same sex marriage should be approved. for those who oppose it would they agree to reduce the amount of taxes paid by homosexuals? how do these individuals rationalize unequal representation for equal taxation?

darcy - harlem

The argument to redefine marriage is framed as an issue of rights. The rights of all would be better defended if the State would institutionalize Domestic Partnerships, they way they have Business Partnerships, and then stop issuing marriage licenses.

If you want to be “married,” go find a preacher. There are plenty of them who will marry gay people, and then the Legislature can go screw up economic rather than social reform.

Vic, Douglaston

I'm so happy to see that our city is in such great shape. High rents are causing a homeless epidemic. The subway fares are forcing people to jump turnstiles just to get to work. Crime is on the rise again (despite what Bloomberg's media tells you.) Obviously Ed marrying Fred and Mary marrying Carrie seems to be all these politicians seem to care about. And Christine (pay raise) Quinn is the Al Sharpton of gay rights. She only seems to concern herself with issues concerning gay rights!

Norm
Upper East side

I believe same sex marriage should be allowed. We should all be equal this is new york. its long over do and its time to pass this bill. This should not be a problem just do it !!!

Richard
Brooklyn

NO, I don't believe marriage should be legalized for gays! Marriage was instituted by God, who meant it for a man and a woman. Call it something else, but not marriage. Call it an abomination, not marriage.

DJB

That religious woman that email before about homosexuality being a abomination, is the type of bigotry that has to fight, and the marriage law will be a first start.

Guy individuals may feel that the right to marriage would give there sexuality legitimacy. If they want to marry, and I assume, the right to divorce, more power to them. I believe you are what you are, and having the state recognize that fact is not the point. You need to change society, that is the hardest part, to change thousand of years of bigotry is a lot more difficult.

Pablo, lower east side

Hi John . Thanks for a great show.

Honestly, I think "marriage" is obsolete and unconstitutional. Marriage is a vehicle useful predominantly to female human beings. Marriage can be reduced in it's most basic elements to be all about property , power and prestige.

I believe for "marriage" to be constitutional, it has to be available to all adult couples who are citizens of the United States of America, or the Constitution needs to be amended.
Do Americans not understand that they are dis-respected by all other groups of citizens around the world for having a Constitution as basic Law, which they do not even follow. Americans are one big spastic ooze of hypocritical self-centered thuggery.

I believe "marriage" and all it's privileges, which can all be reduced in it's underlying basic form to be about nothing other than matters of money, must either be available to any two adult individuals, same sex or opposite sex, who wish to establish between themselves this legal status. I believe "marriage" should actually be a legally binding joint-venture business arrangement, required to operate within laws specifically designed for this kind of joint-venture business.

Any children produced or adopted as a result of a "marriage" business venture, should require the business venture to operate within legal boundaries of responsibility for care of the children, with severe penalties -criminal and civil, to the joint venture partnership, for violations.

This subject has been lobbied for centuries to fall under the category of "socially unacceptable to discuss" at its' basic level.

Jack from Manhattan

John

NO! Senators should NOT vote on same-sex marriage, what a disgrace. God put a man and a women to be husband and wife not the sins and disgrace people are involving in. What this world is coming to, this nation need PRAYERS, I would like to call on all Priests to pray for this nation. Gay marriage should NOT BE A PRIORITY NO WHERE !

Paterson why don't you pack your bags and leave, since you came in, you cut Health Care Workers jobs and now you are encouraging disgrace to the nation, why don't you "Get Going."

Ruthann
Queens

The legislature should focus on cutting government spending from the bloated budget they passed last spring.

Gay marriage is a moral issue, that should best be decided by the voters in this state, & I hope the voters uphold morality, and vote down gay marriage.

Philip
Lower East side

He (& the assembly) seem more concerned about approving of gay marriage than about our economy & deficit?? I would like to hear about his deficit reduction plans than the gay marriage issue?

Elizabeth
lic

I see nothing wrong with having there being a right to gay marriage in NYS. Should it be a front line priority? Not at all. We have many problems in this state and those should be front and center in the Senate. Honestly and personally, I believe that Patterson is pushing this issue because he needs something to show he is a viable Governor, and a good choice for re-election. Being the one to lead such a monumental change in the state will accomplish this. However, he needs to get his priorities straight and worry about the state's fiscal woes first and foremost.

Matt from Brooklyn

Walking in a train station one evening with a woman and her child. Four homosexual men holding hands were in front of us. We had to stop and sheild the child from seeing this. Homosexuality represents a false image of what relationships in life should be. If they are allowed to get married they will feel justified to act as heterosexuals in public.

Heterosexuals aren't perfect at relationships whether it be marriage or raising kids, but you don't get better as a society by going backwards. Reestablish values,morals, and commitment so people will do better. What do you say to the kids? Even if their actions aren't overt publicly, should children be subjected to seeing two men or two women doing things they would rightfully assume is for their mommy (female) and daddy (male)? Same sex marriage being taken seriously, especially during an economic crisis, education and crime all still problems is wrong on so many levels.

Man and woman come together to create another, and we commonly refer to this union of people as parents. If that doesnt happen no one would be born to say how they feel about anything, so this in itself dictates why it is wrong for two people of the same sex to be together romantically. Put God first and shake the Devil off !

Chesed

This is a huge issue that it's time to vote on. It's unfair for people to consider this issue "not important" because homosexuals are citizens and tax payers and have every right to have their issues discussed.

Ken

I would like my senator Malcom Smith to vote NO.. but I know he won't. Most of them are worried about their political careers. Never mind the budget or anything else.

also did u see Christine Quin whinning and crying> Not likeing her isnt the issue its her life style. So stop whinning Chris.

helen
Queens

We'll support gay marriages as much as Christine Quin supported BIll Thompson!!! and we won't be crying

James from Kew Gardens