(New York, NY) - As New York's Governor David Patterson (D) stridently and defiantly, declared, "It's time to take a stand," at a press conference, he referred to the abolitionists' fight against slavery and drew parallels between the struggle for civil rights and same-sex legal recognitions. The Governor, throwing down the gauntlet and daring the state legislature, especially State Senators, who had refused to pass the marriage equality bill when it was presented to them in 2007, called on the Senate and Assembly to pass the marriage equality bill and make same-sex marriage legal in New York.

While the Governor's press conference was heavy on political rhetoric, unclear was whether or not the Marriage and Same-Sex Couples in New York Act, would be accompanied by two other equally important bills, the Dignity for All Students Act, and the Gender Expression Non-Discrimination Act. The Governor with his wife, Michelle Patterson, by his side, on Apr 16, 2009, and surrounded by elected officials which included New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, City Council Speaker Christine Quinn, State Senator Tom Duane, State Assemblyman Danny O'Donnel, U.S. Rep. Jose Serrano, U.S. Rep. Gerald Nadler, U.S. Rep. Carolyn Maloney, Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer, Queens Borough President Helen Marshal, and Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz; civil rights advocates Mike Fishman, S.E.I.U.- Local 32BJ; Randi Weingarden, the American Teacher's Union; and representatives of agencies serving the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender communities (LGBT) such as, Alan Van Capelle, Empire State Pride Agenda; Cathy Marino-Thomas, Marriage Equality New York; and Dr. Marjorie Hill, Gay Men's Health Crisis; announced, "I'm introducing a bill to bring marriage equality to the state of New York."

Speaking to a wider audience, beyond the confines of the press room in the State Office, which had an inclusive bathroom sign in the lobby, the Governor alluded to the debacle of Proposition 8 in California and said that many in New York wondered if after many iterations and evolutions, a same-sex marriage bill would ever become law. "I'm here to speak against those who I think are antagonistic and antithetical and always have been, not only on marriage equality, but equality for gay and lesbian, bisexual and transgender citizens and who have stoked the flames of what is really an honest difference of opinion or maybe even of a little trepidation in favor of making sure that no legislation is ever passed at all. I will not permit it on my watch. It's time to take a stand," the Governor said.

New York City Comptroller William C. Thompson, Jr. issues a report on the economic impact of legalizing marriage for same-sex partners in New York State and City at a news conference on June 5, 2007. Photo Credit: Marla S. Maritzer

To his critics, the Governor's declaration on the issue of the same-sex marriage smacks of blatant politicking: some claim that he is trying to curry favor with the LGBT community when his approval ratings statewide have plummeted to all time lows, especially after passage of the state budget which promises tax increase and his poor handling of the appointment of the U.S. Senate seat vacated by Hilary Clinton when she assumed the post of U.S. Secretary of State; others claim that he is pandering to the LGBT community because they are traditionally thought to have more disposable income and that money derived from celebrations of marriages - from the cost of marriage licenses to marriage ceremonies and celebrations - would rake in much needed cash for the state. But, some proponents of the marriage equality bill insist that the Governor's timing is not copycatting the recent states which have made same-sex marriage legal, but as an issue, has been simmering on the legislative fires for several years and, as if recognizing that passage is not a fait accompli, one of the speakers at the press conference said, that if the bill does not pass this year, they would keep presenting it until it passes.

Bloomberg in his support drew references to New York City fighters such as Elizabeth Cady-Stanton and Susan B. Anthony who began the struggle for women's suffrage and where New York is a place for the fight for immigrant and worker's rights.

"I do believe and I agree with the governor that New York State should become the next state to permit same-sex marriages. As I've said before, I don't think the government should not be in the business of telling us who we can and who we can't marry," he said. Making a jab against the newly installed Archbishop of New York, Archbishop Timothy Dolan, who had issued a statement of opposition to same-sex marriages, Bloomberg said, "Different religions have different ideas on what constitutes a marriage and each of us may have our own personal beliefs on what marriage means. And these obviously can be strongly held convictions and we're not asking anyone to change them, or to behave in any way that is inconsistent with their beliefs. But, I strongly believe that it's not the state's place to define marriage in a way that excludes a segment of the population from the legal benefits associated with marriage and that's exactly why we're here today." Touting his administration's accomplishments on the same-sex front, if only to garner support for re-election for an unprecedented third term as mayor, Bloomberg said that the tide is turning and support is growing for same-sex recognition throughout the city and while NYC residents have been waiting for the state to approve marriage equality, the city has undertaken several steps to ensure that same-sex rights are upheld, such as in 2005 adopting a policy recognizing all marriages and civil unions lawfully entered in other jurisdictions, like Massachusetts and foreign nations such as Canada, and now Connecticut, Vermont and Iowa. "We've also convinced our pension systems and the City University of New York to adopt similar policies. And just last month, I'm happy to say, the City's Board of Health unanimously voted to allow married lesbian couples to list both of their names on the birth certificates as soon as their children are born in NYC," the mayor said.

Yet, in the face of the strong Democratic solidarity at the press conference, a crack appeared in the armor when State Senator Ruben Diaz, who represents the Bronx, held a breakfast meeting with mostly Pentecostal religious ministers at the same time the Governor was holding his press conference, and declared that he would oppose the passage of a same-sex marriage equality bill. Diaz, raised the specter of a Republican controlled legislature to frighten his listeners in the room and beyond by saying that his opposition to the bill is from the perspective of not wanting to give in to a Republican agenda. But, despite denials from several quarters, reports stated that Diaz was one of the three elected officials rumored to have proposed a quid pro quo deal with now Senate Majority Leader Malcolm Smith, where in exchange for their vote to make Smith Majority Leader, he would have to promise not to bring the same-sex marriage bill to the senate floor for a vote this year.