New York Properly Legalizes Same Sex Unions... By Legilative Action

by: Les Carpenter
Rational Nation USA
Birthplace of Independent Conservatism
Liberty -vs- Tyranny

New York State, the sixth to join the list of states where same sex unions are now legal did so via legislation as opposed to judicial fiat. This, above all else, is to be cheered.

Those who regularly read Rational Nation USA are aware of my position with respect to same sex unions. Though I believe the concept of marriage should remain as the millennium old definition so do I believe same sex unions should be afforded the same rights and recognition as heterosexual unions.

From the New York Times
ALBANY — Lawmakers voted late Friday to legalize same-sex marriage, making New York the largest state where gay and lesbian couples will be able to wed and giving the national gay-rights movement new momentum from the state where it was born.

The marriage bill, whose fate was uncertain until moments before the vote, was approved 33 to 29 in a packed but hushed Senate chamber. Four members of the Republican majority joined all but one Democrat in the Senate in supporting the measure after an intense and emotional campaign aimed at the handful of lawmakers wrestling with a decision that divided their friends, their constituents and sometimes their own homes.

With his position still undeclared, Senator Mark J. Grisanti, a Republican from Buffalo who had sought office promising to oppose same-sex marriage, told his colleagues he had agonized for months before concluding he had been wrong.

“I apologize for those who feel offended,” Mr. Grisanti said, adding, “I cannot deny a person, a human being, a taxpayer, a worker, the people of my district and across this state, the State of New York, and those people who make this the great state that it is the same rights that I have with my wife.” {Continue Reading}

My only question is why should anyone apologize for finally being right?

For a slightly different flavor and analysis visit the Left Coast Rebel

Va: Memeorandum

Comments

  1. Jersey McJonesSat Jun 25, 09:02:00 PM EDT

    Things like this can never be "settled" in the courts. Yes, the courts would be right to grant gay marraige. There's nothing in the Constitution (though I can't imagine why you bring up the Declaration in your link) to sanction it. But issues like this are never settled until they become words of law.

    Thanks to New York, America will actually become more liberal than most of her peers for a change! They also did the right thing.

    Rights do not come from God or the scientific method or who has the most guns. Rights come from the people. It's good to see you agree with that.

    JMJ

    ReplyDelete
  2. The GriperSun Jun 26, 01:53:00 AM EDT

    as for it being the right thing, i may disagree with the both of you but it would be irrelevant at this point.

    the one question i have is whether or not the rest of the States who do not recognize gay marriage as being a legal bond would need to recognize it or would those gays who are married in one State be recognized as being single in another? there are tax implications to consider in this issue?

    ReplyDelete
  3. Les CarpenterSun Jun 26, 06:22:00 AM EDT

    JMJ - Declaration of Independence speaks to the right of ones life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness. Does this not apply here? Specifically with respect to the pursuit of happiness.

    We find agreement here, albeit arriving at the same conclusion via very different roads.

    Conservatives can and often are reasonable.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Les CarpenterSun Jun 26, 06:27:00 AM EDT

    Griper - Valid points.

    I personally believe that ultimately each state will accept same sex unions and they will legalize the process. Ultimately it is right to insure same sex couples enjoy all the benefits of heterosexual unions. Including obviously the tax implications.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Les CarpenterSun Jun 26, 06:37:00 AM EDT

    JMJ - Rights are inherent in every individual simply because they exist. Were there no existence there would be no rights.

    To say that rights come from "the people" is to say a majority (50% plus 1) has the right to take away the rights of the other 49.999%. This my statist friend is the definition of tyranny of the majority.

    However, with respect to same sex unions the majority did the right thing and insured the right of gays and lesbians to the same reality and happiness as has been afforded straights for centuries.

    Often our system works, sometimes it doesn't. It usually doesn't when the rights of the individual are ignored or infringed upon.

    ReplyDelete
  6. The GriperSun Jun 26, 10:41:00 PM EDT

    then question, my friend. the Constitution requires that the government treat all equally. ok this is fine and just. what about those issues where that treatment is already given to all by one criteria of equality but a sector of a society declares they are not treated equally based on a different criteria of inequality?

    ReplyDelete
  7. Les CarpenterWed Jun 29, 12:01:00 AM EDT

    Griper - I see your point.

    Historically heterosexual unions were the only accepted societal norm.

    Thus it is possible to use my very argument against the position I have, after many years of thoughtful consideration chosen to take.

    Rights are inherent in the very truth and reality of ones existence. They exist merely because the individual exists, apart from any religious connotations or beliefs.

    As such individuals who are predisposed to same sex relationships are deserving of the same rights as those who are predisposed to heterosexual relationships.

    For those who are believers of the Christian faith is it not true 'we are all God's children?" If this is so then logically and rationally explain the position that I have chosen not to accept.

    ReplyDelete

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