Same sex 'marriage' defeated in New York

By Mary DeTurris Poust

The New York State Senate rejected a push for same sex 'marriage' in the state today in a stunning 38-24 vote. All 30 Republicans plus eight Democrats voted no on a bill that would have allowed people of the same sex to "marry" each other.

In the spirit of full disclosure, you should know that my husband, Dennis, is director of communications for the New York State Catholic Conference and has lobbied against this bill. We had first-hand reports that grassroots efforts by the Catholic Conference and other pro-marriage organizations resulted in a flood of calls to senators in the days leading up to the vote.

In a statement released by the New York State Catholic Conference, Executive Director Richard E. Barnes said:

“On behalf of the Bishops of New York State, we are extremely pleased and grateful that the New York State Senate in a bipartisan vote rejected the concept that marriage can be anything other than the union of one man and one woman.

“While the Catholic Church rejects unjust discrimination against homosexual men and women, there is no question that marriage by its nature is the union of one man and one woman. Advocates for same-sex ‘marriage’ have attempted to portray their cause as inevitable. However, it has become clear that Americans continue to understand marriage the way it has always been understood, and New York is not different in that regard. This is a victory for the basic building block of our society.”

New York follows 31 other states that have upheld marriage as being between only one woman and one man. Maine was the most recent state to put same sex 'marriage' to a vote and saw the people overturn a law passed by the legislature despite being outspent by their opponents two to one.