In 2008, New York politics has been anything but dull. With Senator Clinton’s historic try for the Democratic presidential nomination, Governor Spitzer’s sensational sex scandal and subsequent resignation, and the arrival of our first African-American governor, David Patterson (as well as gossip about his sex life), we’ve had plenty to keep us buzzing in Albany, Manhattan, and everywhere in between. And on May 29, 2008, we found ourselves with another striking, headline-making development to discuss when our governor’s office made a big announcement regarding gay marriage.
According to theNew York Post, “Following a memo sent to state agencies by the counsel to Gov. David Paterson, New York state will recognize gay marriages performed in other states and countries where the unions are legal . . . The directive orders state agencies, including those governing insurance and health care, to immediately recognize same-sex marriages legally performed elsewhere as valid in New York.”The move came as a response to a February court ruling. This unique situation means that New York gays and lesbians are still not allowed to have a legal ceremony performed here, but may travel to California (after June 17th, when gay marriage will become legal there) to wed. And although gay marriage remains illegal in our state, gays and lesbians who marry in California may return to New York and obtain the same legal rights accorded to heterosexuals who marry here.
I interviewed a few Brooklynites to find out what they thought about this unprecedented step by a New York gubernatorial administration.
Anthony Jackson, a 22-year-old student, said, “Well, I’m religious . . . but we’re not out there hating on people or anything. I don’t think it should be legal, but if two people want to live together, that’s their business. I just don’t understand why we have this halfway thing. If you’re going to make it legal, make it legal, and if you’re going to make it illegal, make it illegal. Take a stand one way or the other, for real.”
Karen Baines, a 21-year-old student, said, “I think gay marriage should be legal here and everywhere. And it’s so stupid that people have to go to California or Canada and spend all that money when they could spend it on weddings here . . . they’re not asking for a lot. People should be able to visit each other in the hospital, and get on each other’s health insurance. I just don’t see why it’s such a big deal.”
Jason Goldstein, a gay 21-year-old student, echoed Baines’ reference to money. “Do they know how much money the New York wedding industry could be making off of gay weddings? Because now everybody is just going to go to California, and California’s going to get all this business that we could use here.”
He added, “I mean, I am happy about it. It’s a good thing that people can go on vacation and get married and then come back here and live like married people, but it’s a weird compromise. I think if they did a referendum on gay marriage, New York would definitely vote in favor of it.”
Goldsmith's friend, 19-year-old Maria Gutierrez, disagreed. "People here might agree with it, but people upstate wouldn't. Up in Rochester and places like that, people wouldn't vote for it. New York City is a bubble. I think this new thing is probably the best we're going to get for a long time."