The New York state Senate's approval of a marriage equality law last week was a milestone in the fight for LGBT equal rights. Governor Andrew Cuomo promptly signed the bill at 11:59 p.m. (Eastern), and, when it goes into effect in 30 days, same-sex couples will begin marrying by late July.
Significantly, four Republican lawmakers voted for the bill, which passed in the Senate 33-29. (The Assembly had already approved the bill.) Many of us in California were asking ourselves why don't we have Republican lawmakers like the ones in New York. The fact that the GOP-controlled New York Senate voted on – and passed – a same-sex marriage bill demonstrates that the tide is indeed turning in our favor.
In addition to the celebrating we should note two key factors that led to the success of this historic vote.
GOP support
Historically, the broader LGBT community votes Democratic, because Democratic politicians have authored LGBT bills and have publicly supported the fight for equality – not just for marriage, but non-discrimination laws, hate crimes laws, and a host of others. At the national level, the Democratic Party is far ahead of the GOP in bringing LGBTs to the table and recognizing our rights in the party platform. In contrast, Republicans have often been hostile to LGBTs, which can be seen today among the GOP presidential field. In the earliest days of the AIDS epidemic, of course, Republican President Ronald Reagan could not bring himself to mention the disease publicly.
In Congress and at the state level, however, monolithic Republican opposition to equal rights is crumbling. In last December's Senate vote to repeal "Don't Ask, Don't Tell," eight Republicans joined their Democratic colleagues by voting to end the military's anti-gay policy. The New York Senate is the first Republican-controlled state legislative body in recent years to vote and pass any law in our favor. The LGBT community needs to recognize that we can – and do – have allies across the aisle and in New York's case. GOP Senator Mark Grisanti of Buffalo switched his vote from two years ago and voted yes. In his statement, he said, "I cannot deny anyone in my district and across New York the same rights I have with my wife."
Kudos must also go to Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos, who allowed the full Senate to vote on the bill, with each member voting according to his or her conscience.
The gay community needs to stand up for those New York Republicans who supported us, as they likely will be challenged in coming elections.
Executive leadership
Governor Cuomo displayed extraordinary leadership in the marriage fight's success. For weeks it looked like the bill was going nowhere or would be defeated – again. Cuomo, according to a fascinating New York Times article about the backroom maneuvers on the marriage bill, basically took over the campaign, placing top aides in charge and corralling the disparate LGBT groups under one coalition. He enlisted the help of powerful Wall Street fundraisers, and waged an aggressive campaign. It was a personal issue for the governor as well since his girlfriend, Sandra Lee, has an openly gay brother and she strongly advocated for the bill. It proves that knowing someone gay often changes negative perspectives. The governor also lobbied Republican lawmakers, eventually breaking the logjam.
In the end, New York's marriage victory had a winning combination of a united LGBT community, money for ads and other outreach, and lobbying. Cuomo's personal involvement was also key.
Next month, New York will become the largest state to legalize same-sex marriage. The percentage of same-sex couples living in states that allow us to marry has now more than doubled, from 6.9 percent to 14.3 percent, according to an analysis of 2009 U.S. Census figures by the Williams Institute at the UCLA School of Law.
We are reaching a tipping point when it seems more likely that same-sex marriages will be legal in other parts of the country.