As long as I live, I'll never understand why anyone cares how anyone else lives his or her life.

The fight over gay marriage is intensifying in Albany. Supporters of same-sex marriage and Democratic Senator Rev. Ruben Diaz got into a heated exchange over his refusal to back the bill already passed by the Assembly. Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle say they doubt there are enough votes to legalize it.

It's still unclear whether Senators will even vote. Some people, including Mayor Bloomberg, want lawmakers to make their opinions known. Others think all New Yorkers should have a say in a referendum in November 2010. What do you say?

Should Senators vote so their opinions on gay marriage are known? Should there be a referendum next year, or would you like to see this issue go away altogether?

Send your thoughts using the link above.

Pass it now - enough waiting!!

Anni
Upper West Side

i'm 18 years old and honestly this whole thing is BS, just pass the darn bill for gay marriage, if your allowed to get married and be happy then so does everybody else. if you dont then that saying to us that "equal rights to all" on the constitution dont matter an thats not fair. just because someone loves someone of the same sex doesnt mean you have the right to deny them. its like tell young kids who just figured out that they are more into the same sex then the opposite sex is rong and makng them more confused. you know what, SAME SEX MARRIAGE IS JUST FINE AND PERFECTLY NORMAL. otherwise you might as well just deny all marriage. your the ones losing the money you state officials, thats right you get you money from our taxes, use it right like for my schooling college aint cheap for me, unlike you. me, my family and friends have to work harder then you.
i think that i've said enough for now, thank you for hearing me out ny1.

Darielle

Senators should definitely voice their opinions on such a serious matter. The public deserves to know where their officials stand on these issues. Having their opinions on record is how we can hold them accountable during elections. We cannot allow them to shrug off the issue without a vote- like the congestion pricing debacle. Saying that "there might not be enough votes" is not sufficient and simply unacceptable.

Terence, chinatown

There are WAY too many other more important issues to discuss in the Assembly and the Senate besides gay marriage. First of all, outside of NYC, there'll be very little support for this bill. Also, outside of NYC as well as inside the city, our main concern should be focused on unemployment and taxes. Now is not the time for thinking about this issue. Once we've straightened out the problems in Albany and NYC (unemployment, higher taxes, pedi-cabs, the credit card mess, health care, the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, terrorism in America, the MTA, how we're going to pay for Yankee Stadium, etc.), ONLY THEN should we focus on gay marriage. Gays already have plenty of rights for now. Let's have a referendum in November 2010. For a change, let the PEOPLE make a choice instead of our councilmen and Senators!!

Dina and Ed of Throggs Neck

life is too short to hate people who are different. To the born-again wing-nut so-called christians, I would say: ask what your master would do, and say? This country was founded by deists, not christians and you will reap what yu sew. Separation of church and state (its right there in the declaration and constitution). So why cant women practice birth control. Control your progeny not other people(s) Or see a helping professional for your delusional thinking.

Juanito
Kissena Park

they just should let gay people marry. Diaz is an ignorant man.

Rich Midtown East

Put it on the 2010 ballot. That way politicians supporting it will have to explain to their constituents why this is so damn important. That won't go over too well in heavily Catholic districts. Unlike most conservatives.
Meanwhile back in the real world NY is going broke and the state is resorting to gimmicks like issuing new license plates next year to soak motorists for another $100. Put that on the ballot too and see what happens.

Nick / Oakwood, SI

I don't think this is the time to bring this issue up, even though I support the change in the law. The State Senate is in a sufficiently crippled state as it is, to jeopardize responsible government.
As to the idea of having a referendum, since when did we allow a majority vote to secure rights for a minority?
There are some matters that cannot and should not be left to the will of the majority.

Bruce
Upper West Side
Manhattan

First of all this Miss Q had better stop challenging us as though we were standing in front of her. I have news for her if she wants to take someone on I would be happy to do so.
All they do is make statements and meanwhile the decision has already been made without our approval.
Now the mayor thinks they should make their opinions known, we have done that with the term limits and where did it get us.
He got what he wanted by stealing it.
Talk about stealing this Miss Q is a thief and she should be in jail.
Just look at the dummies behind her the one I see all of the time on stage is the Bed Bug Czar.
Oh!!!!!! poor thing Miss Q. had to be consoled by all them.
With this Governor anything goes and today we where all called Tea Baggers by Clinton.
He should be ashamed of himself he was in Washington about the bill while the memorial service was going on for the tragedy that happened in Texas. We have an opinion and we reserve the right to express it. Keeping walking is what I say over and over again.

maxxiee
mp

WOULD ANYONE BE SURPRISED BY THE FOLLOWING? ACCORDING TO THE A.C.L.U., FIRING OR REFUSING TO HIRE SOMEONE BECAUSE THEY ARE GAY OR LESBIAN IS LEGAL IN 29 STATES, AND JOB DISCRIMINATION AGAINST PEOPLE BASED ON GENDER IDENTITY IS LEGAL IN 38 STATES. THE MILITARY STILL DOES THE DON'T ASK, DON'T TELL. RIDICULOUS IN THIS DAY AND AGE.
I HEAR SENATOR RUBEN DIAZ IS PROVIDING EVIDENCE WHY CLERGY SHOULD NOT HOLD OFFICE IN ALBANY.

JOE, BAY TERRACE

I don't see how a man can be attracted sexually to another man, but that is my hang up. In the end what people do in there private lives, as long is dose not harm someone else, is there business. Being Hispanic in new york city all my life, I wittiness the narrow mindedness that a larger group can inflect on a smaller one. I may not understand homosexuals, but thats what they are and should be afforded the same rights and prevlages of the rest of society. I grew up very religious houesholds and I know that they are narrow minded hypocrites that can understand there own sexuality, let alone others.

Pablo, Lower East Side

Senator/Rev. Diaz should be reminded that there is a separation of church and state in this country.It is interesting how he always reacts so strongly to the issue. I think he protest too much. As a Christian I am appalled at his behavior. It is also time that all the members of the Senate make their position known. I can't believe that in 2009 we are still having to deal with this foolishness and bigotry. Also perhaps it is time that we stopped using the term Gay marriage and used the more inclusive term Same Sex Marriage.

AJ, Washington Heights

No, I do not think the issue should go away. And, no, I do not think the word "marriage" should be used...based on recent defeats. I have long believed that the word "marriage" was going to cause setbacks in the cause. The defeats may be giving NY politicians some pause. Yes, I do believe that gay partners should have the same benefits as married people. (I am sure that gay activists will not agree with me about the word, "marriage", but some rethinking has to be done about that strategy which has led to more steps backwards rather than moving forward.)

Maddalena
Midtown West

NY1: Thanks for taking on the subject tonight!!
It is apalling that these elected officials should choose to continue ignoring their constituents! And their duties. After shirking responsibility for such a long time, to ignore us is a slap in the face. Im glad the governor is pushing them, they need it.
As a tax paying, law abiding gay man, I'm sick and tired of being ignored!!! "You want my taxes? Give me rights!"
And as for mr. diaz: what an ignorant hypocrite. He has used the stance that America doesn't want gay marriage and has shown so in Maine and California, however I wonder how he would've felt if we'd put African Americans' rights to a state by state vote during THAT civil rights movement.
Besides the fact that New York should never compare itself to other states; it should be leading them!
Again, give me equal rights or give a tax break for my lack of rights until I can marry my partner.

Ty
Harlem, NYC

Dear NY#1:
Living in Astoria, Queens, I am PRO GAY Marriage!

Sincerely,
Grant

I would NOT like for gay marriages to be legalize and I would be more than happy if this issue can go away forever. NO! to same sex marriages !

Ruthann
Queens

What happened to civil rights? Martin Luther King Jr. fought for equality, and here we are, decades later, fighting for essentially the same thing. How far we've come. My parents raised me not to see gender preference, skin type or political views, but to see a persons character. If two people love each other and want to marry, let them!!! If that isn't enough to convince you, how about this: People tend to spend money when they get married, sometimes lots of money. Doesn't this city/state/country need some money? Think that could help a bit.

-Luke, Grant City, Staten Island

Yes indeed the politicians should reveal their position on the gay marriage issue. Personally, I think that having honest and non-crimal neighbors is the bigger issue. Gay people work and pay taxes like anyone else why shouldn't they have equal benefits? What on earth are some of the politicians afraid of? If they have any fears at all it should be of the people like the man than mugged that elderly woman in Queens and gave her a black eye. Come clean politicians so we can either vote you in or vote you out.

kathy of Throggs Neck da Bronx

I say nay, make it another day. You see State Senators have enough on their plate right now. There are not enough votes to pass and we need to focus on the state budget and that in my opinion should come first. I therefore say, waste no time, first strenghten the state.

Freddy- Glen Oaks Village

I am glad that the State Senate did not bring the Gay Marriage Bill for a vote. I am surprised, it shows responsibility in that they realize that there are more important issues, one being the Collapsing State Budget.
One solution to the Gay Marriage issue would be a Referendum and let the New York State voters decide. However, I feel that those pushing the Issue does not want that to happen for they fear the outcome.

Bernie M.
Woodside, NY

I disagree with the whole gay marriage issue because if this is passed can you imagine the amount of litigation that churches will be in against churches that refuse to marry homosexuals? No I think that if anything there should be some other sort of partnership classification for them besides marriage for that and many reasons.

Ryan P.

It never astounds me that in a world where the economy's tanking, the enviornment is hurting and we're waging two wars of attrition, the issue of same-sex marriages enrages and motivates people not only more than all those and other issues combined, but as if humanity's very EXISTENCE depended on it. I also like how no one can defend their stance WITHOUT going to the Bible. Telling, huh?

Brad
Washington Heights

I say that they all should step up and pass the bill now, enough is enough. Lets have our freedom.

Tariq
Harlem

I vote no to same sex marriages. Please don't get that confused with my high respect for gay Americans but there is already so much "Red- Tape" so to speak for people of the opposite sex to go through when getting a divorce. Please save the hard working tax-payer, like me, from going through all the taxing hardships because of those issues.

Jorge
Douglas Houses
Upper West Side

One day we will look back at this time period the same way we now look back on the historic debates regarding women or blacks being allowed to vote........... it's a shame

Peter from Hell's Kitchen

SHAME ON YOU " reverend " diaz and your conflicts of interest. Please resign, the sooner the better. Your " Some of my best friends " attitude toward the LGBT community is disingenuous. Best Wishes for a happy retirement.

Jean from Brighton Beach Brooklyn

Ruben Diaz needs to decide which job he wants. He wants to be a Reverend? Great. He wants to be a Senator? Great. What he's doing now is pretty disgusting. Lets see if he wants to serve God without his six figure salary.

Mark
Rego Park

I believe that the 62 Senators should vote based on equality and the rights given to all u.s citizens. The gay community is made up of humans not animals. The senators shouldn't base their vote on their beliefs but should vote on what is right and make a step forward in changing the world and helping the Gay community. This shouldn't be pushed away. The Gay community has been fighting for equal rights for so long why wait to change? Hate crimes against Gays has been passed so why should gay marriage be passed also?

Julissa from spanish harlem

The decision will always be out of the hands of people here in New York City. Do the right thing and circumvent what people want to force you to do and go have it done somewhere else then come back and rub it in their face. The government doesn't care about your choice and free will...only your vote for them to get or keep a job at your ignorance.

Walter
Jackson Heights

I really don't think that the state senators have the backbones necessary to take a stand on this issue because they are too afraid of losing The support of their districts. Because of this I think that this issue should be brought to the people for a vote. As far as gay marriage...people should be given the right to marry whom they want,religion shouldn't play a role in deciding that in the eyes of the law

"ksalas"

For New Yorkers to have a place on the map, we need to be in the will of God. God created Adam & eve, not Adam and Steve.
Marriage is a holy union between a man & a woman, and that's why God destroyed Sadom & Gomarrah because of sexual immorality...

Dwight...

I love senator Reuben Diaz's conviction as he kept repeating "I'm voting no!!!" He has the right to passionately argue his choice just as the the protesting gay population has the right to passionately argue theirs!! We all know Gov. Paterson is doing this for votes and the bill probably wont make the vote on the senate floor. The only resolution is to bring this vote to the people of NY!
The senators are under pressure and their vote might be politicaly swayed... however... the people of NY will vote the way they feel. LET US VOTE!

Terrance
Washington Heights

I am personally proud of Ruben Diaz! I am apalled that the gay issue is taking precedent over the STATE BUDGET!! So far your callers supporting gay marriage were from Park Slope, the Upper West Side, and Williamsburg. All well to do neighborhoods. My point is this city has millions of struggling residents. The fact that they are trying to push the legislature to vote on this shows their selfish nature. I am angry that they are voting on this issue and not foreclosure, or the fact that black men have an unemployment rate of 25% in the city. Also if they are so liberal and for the people then let the people vote on it next year!

Alexis M.

It is sad that senators go around asking us for our vote and we stupid go voting for them. But, when we need them to vote for a law like gay marriage for us they refuse to do it. We are normal humans like everybody else and the only thing that changes is our sex orientation. If senators don't want to vote for the law, New Yorkers should have a say in a referendum in November 2010. By using that method, they might understand how serious we are on this issue. Sen. Diaz,is a true homophobic trash.

Eric, Bronx, NY, Webster Ave

I think the issue of gay marriage is a personal decision and not a political one. I do not think politics should be involved. If a person wants to marry another person whatever their sex, etc. It is no one's business but their own. if they wish it to be a legal union they should be allowed to do so. I am heterosexual but I feel this is a human rights issue and not a political one.

Sarina
Brooklyn, NY

I don't agree with same sex marriage. The rainbow represents a promise from God himself. But it has been twisted. Also marriage is sacred between a man and a woman. If God wanted it otherwise He would have covered homophobic issues. God is a just God. He will not be mocked. And. Those that want this have no respect for God and want God represents. Heck they have no idea who God is. If they take a moment and ask themselves does God really approve of this?

flag

Just 2 points:
(1) I can't believe the govenor (Thompson) brought up this topic now. A few days ago I heard that NYS was running out of money. His solution, let's vote on gay marriage. What a jerk.
(2) I just heard the mayor (Bloomberg) saying we (the people) should vote on gay marriage. And what happens if we vote no, he would find a way to overturn our vote the way he overturned our vote on term limits. What a hypocrite.

Chuck
Maspeth

PS I believe in God and not in Gay marriage.

Why not bring up religion in the gay rights matter. The issue of marriage came from the bible as well as religion.

Allison
Manhattan

He should be ashamed of himself, he doesn't even practice what he preach. Religion and State should be apart. He thinks he is above the law and one of these days all this evils ways are going to come out for everyone to see. Every human being has every right to live a decent lives as long it's not hurting others. I hope someone runs against Diaz, Sr and take him out of office. He is only there to empower himself and those close to him. Shame on all those who support his campaign and fundraising to keep this man hurting human being, especially the LGBT Community. I can't even call him Rev, cause he is not. He only went to school to get the title but to be call from God is way too far away. He was never call by God he put himself in that position.
I am just hoping and praying that his day is about to come, Justice will for the LGBT will be at hand.

Rev Carmen H.

I support Marriage Equality and it deserves at least a vote so the people can know how their representative voted. No referendum since Quinn and Bloomberg will only overturn it if they don't care for the decision. Marriage equality was once legal in NYC until Bloomberg appealed it and overturn the lower court's decision.

Kind regards,
Roxanne, Morris park

It is such a disgrace that the Legislature is not taking up the bill for legalizing same sex marriage. These politicians should stop their homophobic fears and do what's right -- support marital rights, equality for all human beings. For that matter, they should not be the ones deciding whether to grant same sex marriage rights at all - IT SHOULD JUST BE THAT WAY TO BEGIN WITH!!!!!!!!! I'm actually embarrassed that our great state is not at the forefront of gay marriage rights and feel that in their neglect of these rights they
have diminished not only themselves but the very Constitution itself. SHAME ON YOU ALBANY!!!!!!

Elizabeth from the Upper Westside

Put it to the vote of the people first?Elizabeth
LIC

When do I get to vote out our entire state legislature?

Andy - East Village

i heard of adam and eve not adam and adam no wayyyyyyyyyyy

diane si ny

WE MIGHT AS WELL REWRITE THE BIBLE.AS FOR THE VOICES IN OUR GREAT CITY AND STATE.WE HAVE FREEDOM OF SPEECH.THE TO VOTE.BUT OUR NAUTRAL FEELING OF SEEING TWO MEN OR WOMAN KISSING.IS JUST PLAIN WRONG.AND THE SENTORS THAT HAVE TO PAY UP FOR ALL THOSE GAY VOTES.WELL WHAT A WONDERFUL WORLD.

JOSCOT

Does it really matter if there is a vote? They have a history of reneging on anything including Bloomberg.I would love to see how many Senators are involved scandals etc. I predict the so-called lawmakers will not vote, but instead take another vacation like they did earlier this year. I have no faith in them or their opinions.
But should there be a miracle vote, I hope it passes. But likely if anything passes it will be their gas.

Rich/Chelsea

Thank you for listening to my comment. I believe that if gay people cannot marry because of religion then straight people should not be allowed to divorce "till death do we part". Why are people more concerned with who their neighbor is sleeping with then getting health care or keeping pensions. It seems to me that people should press the politicians to vote for issues that directly affect their own lives rather then ones that try to control other people's lives.

Thank you
Heidi

I am not gay nor a lesbian but I am appalled to see the behavior of Ruben Diaz as a professed representative of Jesus Christ. His attitude does not demonstrate God's love towards his creation. Gays and lesbians are God's children also and we should all make an effort to walk a day in their shoes then maybe we will have an inkling of the suferring they experience of being shunned,mistreated, discriminated and killed. Ruben Diaz is an example of what is the problem with religious people who believe that they have the kingdom of God signed sealed and delivered. However, God is not fooled He clearly knew about religious people who lbdhave as Lucifer and want to be God. Jesus refers to people like Diaz in Luke 12,56: You hypocrites! You know how to discern and interpret and prove the looks of the earth (it's going to rain today) and the sky (it's going to be hot today). But how is it that you do not know how to discern and interpret and apply the proof to this present time. They need to have compassion and be merciful towards all of God's children. You just can't pick and choose who's in and who's out. That is the job of the creator.

Sandra

I believe as an American that Gay People should have the same rights as all other Americans. I believe that constitutional scholars would agree that gay people should have the right to marry. I also don't understand why this Human Right is put to legislators to vote on or any body for that matter. Europe along with other countries in the Americas have already begun to realize that this is a Humane Right. It seems they confuse it with religious rites which should be taken out of the equation as I would think this would also fall under the Separation of Church and State.

I am a senior citizen and I think this is a no brainer. And I am a church going person with very deep spiritual beliefs.

Sincerely
John

I don't have anything against gays and I could care less if they married, but the demonization of Ruben Diaz by the gay owned mainstream media (lol you didn't know that?) is ludicrous. Please stop equating this to 400 years of slavery, mass murder, injustice, apartied, and systemic racism in this country. That is very offensive... I'm sorry if I fail to see the moral equivilancy, because I just watched an openly gay white woman pimp all the blacks in City Council with the help of the Wall Street Billionaire mayor and his pals!

Vince from Harlem

People are getting the issue twisted. The issue is the right for the State to marry two people. This does not entail the recognition religion. We have the separation of Church and State in this country. The State can marry anyone and goes unrecognized by organized religion.

As a catholic I do not attend temple, a mosque nor a protestant de nominated church. I do not follow other organized religions and have no say as whether or not members of other organizations can marry. But, there are marriages within other religions within this country. I cannot and will not protest members of other religions marriages because it is ridiculous. What I can and will protest are people who would use religion against others, ignorant zeal ots that would have had front row seats at the Salem witch trials.
This is an issue of civil liberty and a blatant matter of intolerant segregation. I repeat, the United States of America has a separation of Church and State!

Ali

What kind of chance do I have of getting my equal rights if it is left up to people who are more concerned with how we are going to pay for Yankee Stadium? This is a question of civil rights, you have yours and I want mine.

Ellen A.