Thousands rally for equal rights at the Capitol
by: Walt McClure
Thousands of gay, lesbian and transgender New Yorkers were in Albany Tuesday to lobby their lawmakers for equal rights.
Gay rights advocates say they believe they have the momentum, but it’s still not clear if their bills will make it to the floor of the Legislature this year.
Governor Paterson and Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver have pledged their support, and this same bill already passed the Assembly two years ago.
The focus is now on the Senate, which despite being in Democratic control, still may not have the votes to pass marriage equality.
More than 2,000 people from across New York converged on the Capitol Tuesday to rally for a marriage equality bill and other equal rights legislation for gays, lesbians and transgender people.
More than 2,000 gay, lesbian and transgender New Yorkers came to Albany to lobby lawmakers to give them the same rights as their heterosexual neighbors, especially when it comes to marriage.
The group gave Governor David Paterson a rousing ovation for his support of marriage equality and pushing legislative leaders to bring it to a vote.
In between lobbying rank and file lawmakers, the group rallied on the Capitol lawn, more optimistic than ever that their efforts will be successful.
Alan Van Capelle/Empire State Pride Agenda: “Today is about the head, the heart and the gut. It’s about giving them the right information they need to know to make the right decision, giving them the narrative to think about it, and in their gut letting them know that they don’t want to be on the wrong side of this vote.”
Lisa Puckey and Deb Langlois say they’ve never really been political, but after getting married in Connecticut in February, they felt they needed to be here.
Lisa Puckey/Lesbian: “It’s 2009 so I think it’s time that everyone gets the same rights. There was a time where if I was a man I couldn’t marry her because we’re different races so I think in 30 years when we look back on it it’ll be the same thing.”
Counterprotester: “God loves you, God loves you. Resolve from your evil ways.”
Only two people could be seen offering a different viewpoint, which some in the crowd tried to drown out.
Also among the crowd, a Republican assemblywoman who says she supports marriage equality and believes there are more in the GOP who feel the same way.
Assemblywoman Teresa Sayward/R-Essex County: “I do think that some of the senators are there. I think that just the dynamics of losing the majority this year has kept them a little quieter maybe than they might be but I think we can get there, whether it’s this year or next year, we’re going to get there.”
When we get there is not clear.
A spokesman for Senate Majority Leader Malcolm Smith tells FOX23 News the bill will not go to a floor vote until the votes to pass are there, and they aren’t there yet.
The group is also lobbying for bills to stop discrimination for gender expression and bias-based harassment in schools.
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KUDOS!! :)) 
I wish i could be there too
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