Marrige equality fails in New York

The vote was 24 to 38.

In a published statement, Senator Thomas Duane said,

“Today’s vote against Marriage Equality makes me very angry. Promises made were not honored. The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) community, and all fair minded New Yorkers have been betrayed. I am enraged, deeply disappointed and profoundly saddened by the vote today."

I know how he feels. (I've noted that in blog comments here and there and have been accused of holding "sour grapes" in order to trivialize my rage, disappointment and sadness.) The gender variant community in New York State have been feeling that way since before 2002 when the GLB politicos decided to throw us under the bus to pass non discrimination law that covers sexual orientation while excluding gender identity and expression. Broken promises are all we've seen since then. This year is no exception.

In his speech on the Senate floor, Sen. Duane said,

"People have said to me 'now is not the time'. There's always time to be on the right side of history."

But never the right time to truly fight for the gender variant people in New York State, Sen. Duane? Why didn't GENDA (Gender Expression Non Discrimination Act) get onto the extraordinary session agendas? Why didn't you raise hell about that? Why didn't your allies in the Empire State Pride Agenda (ESPA) say anything either?

After June, GENDA disappeared in favor of the marriage equality law in the communiques from the ESPA, the governor and from the state legislature. Somehow, the "coup" attempt by the Republicans in the senate was turned back. Was GENDA sacrificed in a deal in order to get the marriage debate and vote? Such treachery won't be admitted by anyone. We'll never know for sure but it sure looks that way.

The state legislature has gone home until the new session starts next year. It's doubtful Gov. Paterson will call any more extraordinary sessions. I guess it wasn't time yet to "come back" for the trans community. It seems it's never time if the GLB politicos can gain an advantage for themselves by sacrificing gender variant people in New York. The GLB community have had protections for seven years already. Your civil rights are protected, Mr Duane. Mine aren't. And it's apparent you think that's perfectly alright.