New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer proposed legalizing same-sex marriage on Friday even though he expects the bill to be rejected by the legislature.
The bill faces opposition from both Democratic and Republican lawmakers who likely will prevent New York from becoming the second state after Massachusetts to recognize marriage of gay and lesbian couples.
Spitzer's bill fulfills a campaign pledge to press for equal marriage rights for same-sex couples, a spokeswoman said.
The governor had said on Monday he did not think it would be passed but that he would submit the proposal as a "statement of principle."
The legislation would offer same-sex couples the same legal protections taken for granted by married people in areas such as property ownership, inheritance, hospital visitation and pension benefits, Spitzer, a Democrat, said in a statement.
It includes a provision that no clergy or religious institution would be compelled to perform gay marriages.
Republicans control New York's Senate and would likely reject the measure. Democrats hold the majority in the state assembly but are not seen having enough backers to pass the law easily.
Dennis Poust, spokesman for the New York Catholic Conference, a lobbying arm of the church, vowed opposition and expressed anger over the governor's proposal in light of another recent bill to strengthen abortion rights.
Reuters
No comments:
Post a Comment