Cuomo's Promise

Changing focus from the religious battlefield to the political front, New York Gubernatorial candidate Andrew Cuomo (nominee of the Democratic Party) recently declared that he will legalize gay marriage once elected governor.  Cuomo was quoted at the ESPA fall dinner: “I don't want to be the governor who just proposes marriage equality.  I don't want to be the governor who lobbies for marriage equality.  I don't want to be the governor who fights for marriage equality.  I want to be the governor who signs the law that makes equality a reality in the state of New York.”

            And Cuomo’s words might come to be.  Polls indicate that he holds a distant lead over his GOP opponent, Carl Paladino.  Paladino has been heavily criticized recently for his anti-gay remarks in a discussion with Orthodox Jewish leaders.  Regarding gay marriage, Paladino said: “I don't want them to be brainwashed into thinking that homosexuality is an equally valid and successful option.”

            In our more socially progressive states, this kind of homophobic talk is proving to work against the politicians who facilitate discriminatory views.  Most of the northeastern states have lifted the ban on gay marriage. New York further liberating their position from just acknowledging same-sex marriages that were performed elsewhere would create a huge boost in momentum for the movement to legalize gay marriage nationally.  Hopefully, Cuomo will live up to his promises, as it seems he will become governor of New York with ease.