Same-Sex Marriage Legalized In New York
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Thousands of people rejoiced on the streets of Manhattan as same-sex marriage became legalized in the state of New York -- the largest state to legalize gay marriages. The same-sex marriage bill, known as the Marriage Equality Act, passed the State Senate by a vote of 33-29 on June 24, 2011. A large crowd gathered near the Stonewall Inn, where the gay-rights movement had begun over 40 years ago, as they heard the good news.
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo, who became personally involved in the legalization of gay marriage, gave the bill a big thumbs up and signed the bill before midnight on Friday, thus allowing the legalization to come into effect on July 24, 2011.
Because of the passing of this bill, the New York State's economy could stand to gain around $250 million.
Major opponents in the passing of the law in NY were Archbishop Timothy Dolan and the Catholic Church in New York, who fought hard against the legislation. Upon hearing news of the law's passing, Dolan said this alters "radically and forever humanity's historic understand of marriage."
Same-sex marriage is now legal in seven states: Massachusetts, Connecticut, Iowa, Vermont, Maine, New Hampshire and New York. Same-sex marriages were able to be performed in California between June 16, 2008, and November 4, 2008, until voters passed Proposition 8, prohibiting further gay marriages in that state.
The issue of same-sex marriage remains very much politically divisive, with the countries' majority of states rejecting same-sex marriages or civil unions. There are, however, states that are more tolerating of gay rights, including Rhode Island and Maryland, where same-sex marriage is recognized but do not issue same-sex marriage licenses. In spite of this, the gay rights movement is receiving an ever-increasing following.
Cast your opinion:
How do you feel about the legalization of same-sex marriage in New York?
See results without votingMany celebrities shared their happiness at the news via Twitter.
Lady GaGa said: "I can't stop crying. We did it kids. The revolution is ours to fight for love, justice+equality. Rejoice NY, and propose. We did it!!!"
Ellen DeGeneres, who married Portia de Rossi while gay marriage was legal in California, said: "I'm thrilled about the news from NY. Marriage equality! Every day we get a little closer. What an amazing feeling."
How I Met Your Mother star Neil Patrick Harris even became engaged on Friday night to longtime partner David Burtka. He tweeted: "It PASSED! Marriage equality in NY!! Yes!! Progress!! Thank you everyone who worked so hard on this!! A historic night!"
There are approximately 45,000 gay couples in New York State, and officials throughout the state are preparing for thousands to get married, particularly during the first week of the bill's legalization.
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"my point is that immorality is all a point of view" (alocsin)
But a 'point of view' held by the majority of people who think heterosexual sex is normal, and productive for the species, but that homosexual sex is deviant, contrary to how we are designed (the anal passage is supposed to be a one way street) and counter productive to the species.
So whilst our 'free' society entitles you to hold your point of view, it does NOT have to accept it as valid or normal or desirable.
It is agreed in a secular society that you can do whatever you want, and if it's illegal, well some activist will spend court time and millions of 'donated' dollars getting a judge to rule that its your right to do it anyway, so let's abandon the law.
Bad 'junk' law does not change basic morality and belief, it merely masks the iniquity and gives the wrongdoers a sense of legitimacy, in their own eyes.
Fair enough, just do not expect the rest of us 'normal' folk to cheer homosexuals on with their deceptions.
It may be declared legal in some states, but it 'ain't accepted anyhow' by most of the populace.
If immorality is a point of view then I stand my ground. Unfortunately the homosexual community is using black people as 'shields' to promote their own agenda. I am not interested in a political debate either, I'm just exercising my right as well.
Actually, Perez vs Sharp had nothing to do with black/white relationships, but was about a Mexican American woman wanting to marry an African American man. (The wikipedia entry is here http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Perez_v._Sharp)
And my point is that immorality is all a point of view. Some of the white majority thought interracial marriage were immoral, even though the racial minorities did not. Just as some of the the heterosexual majority thinks the homosexual minority is immoral.
And speaking as an Asian-American minority, I think the comparison between interracial marriage and gay marriage is quite valid. In both cases, a majority is seeking to impose their notions on a minority. And I'm also old enough to remember how things were.
And to anyone who expresses an opinion that differs from mine, more power to you, as long as I have the same right.
It's called freedom of speech. And it's the only way that two people of different opinions can understand each other. And I would protest strongly if anyone were kicked off Hubpages simply for exercising right to disagree.
Sorry, Anne, for turning this into a political debate. Not my intention. But I wish just one of my hubs would generate such passionate comments.
As a black woman I'm sick and tired of being compared to the homosexual cause. Yes, interracial unions were aginst the law because whites did not want to marry blacks, the issue was the inferiority of black males and females to marry the superior white males and females. We as black people were not looking to be accepted by being immoral, immoral acts were being committed against the black race. I'm old enough to remember how things were.
My goodness, I'm seeing the same arguments against gay marriage that were forwarded against interracial marriage. That was also considered unnatural, anti-religious and against the Bible.
Finally, in 1948, California became the first state court to rule that laws limiting marriage based on race were unconstitutional (Perez vs Sharp). This despite overwhelming popular opinion against interracial marriages. And now everybody wonders what all the fuss was about.
Folks, gay marriage is going to happen. Get over it and move on. Thanks Anne, for reporting on this. I hope you get lots of views. Voting this Up and Useful, and Following you as well.
Anne Oddity. Thank you for your Hub. I stand with the fifty percent of the people who do see something very wrong not just with same sex relationships but also with same sex marriages. There now, that being said, I suppose I'll get kicked off the site!
Civil unions between any two people is fine in a secular society, any partner deserves the same fiscal and legal protection afforded 'normal' heterosexual couples.
My only problem would be if homosexuals attempted to force religious bodies to accept their 'marriage' in a religious sense, or to force religious bodies to 'conduct' homosexual unions.
Perhaps one day we can all just ignore those who chose lifestyles that are unacceptable to the majority and get on with our own 'normal' lives.
It's the political corrected spin that offends me, not their actions.
Honestly,the only real problem I have with it is the name.
Marriage is in Holy Matrimony,there isn't anything Holy about Same-Sex Unions.It's biblical.
I do feel you can love whomever you chose,because who you love is your business and if you want to show it through a union fine.
But too much PDA's are not a good look,same sex,opposite sex,whatever get a room.
Break out the vaseline to consumate the marraiges
Well written hub, Anne, on a very controversial subject. Thanks for bringing this out of the closet and into the community so that left and right will be able to respond to it, LOL
I am happy to see that our world walks toward freedom!
It's something which can be termed as ' marriage of convenience' It's not natural. Nature has made different sex. Anyway you have written wonderful topic.
Though I am a Conservative by Nature...I do believe that People should be allow to Marry whom they chose...I'm glad N.Y. as well as some of the other States feel that way too. Good Hub Anne. I look forward to following your Hubs and Thank You for Honoring me as well.
To echo Darknlovely, "time will tell".
Time will tell.. that all i have to say, marriage should be between a man and a woman.
woooooooooooooooo hoooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
Spirit Whisperer Level 6 Commenter 10 months ago
This is a very well written hub that simply reports about a development that is going to generate a lot of debate. I like the way you refrain from giving your own personal opinion on this development leaving it to visitors to your hub to slug it out LOL. You are a very clever lady and a very talented writer; the reaction to your hub says it all. Voted up and awesome.