The New York Times reported today that Governor Andrew Cuomo has promised to devote his “full attention” to the cause of legalizing same-sex marriage in the state of New York.
Cuomo’s announcement came after a closed door meeting Wednesday, where the Governor met with gay marriage supporters. Attendees at the meeting included openly gay New York City Council Speaker Christine C. Quinn, HRC’s Brian Ellner, Empire State Pride Agendea Executive Director Ross D. Levi and Equality Matters President Richard Socarides.
The governor plans to move forward with gay marriage legislation as soon as he resolves the state budget, and hopes to garner wider support in the wake of a defeated attempt to legalize same-sex marriage in 2009. Since the 2009 vote, new groups and campaigns like Fight Back New York have organized in favor of gay marriage.
“To me this is more than just a piece of legislation,” Cuomo said in response to his announcement. “This is about the lives of people who I have known for many years, who currently are without the rights to which they are entitled.”
