Senate Debate

Not related to Marriage Equality, but Senator Golden wants to mandate jail time for those who commit Five misdemeanors over a five year period.  His quote (paraphrased until the actual transcript comes out): “we spent more time debating this bill than a person who commites five crimes will spend in jail.”

The bill is here: http://open.nysenate.gov/legislation/bill/S643-2011

Brooklyn Rallies Against Anti-Gay Bigotry to Support Marriage Equality

http://www.thelmagazine.com/TheMeasure/archives/2011/06/07/brooklyn-rallies-against-anti-gay-bigotry-to-support-marriage-equality

While not quotes by Senator Golden, there were some great quotes from the rally.

“It’s 2011 and you better wake up,” community board member Scott Klein directed toward Golden. “This neighborhood is not what you think it is. They’re not people who live in the past.”

The owners of Robicelli’s, who have also started a “Small Business Owners for NY Marriage Equality” group on Facebook, attended with their two children. Allison held a homemade sign that read “Republicans for Equality”; her boy held one that read “I Love My Aunts.” “I’ve lost followers over this,” Allison told me, “but I don’t care.”

“This is a watershed moment for Bay Ridge,” said Justin Brannan, the president of Bay Ridge Democrats. “We’re a part of history right now.”

More Words from Senator Golden

http://www.thelmagazine.com/TheMeasure/archives/2011/06/01/brooklyn-politician-marty-golden-positions-self-at-front-of-anti-gay-movement

Please go to the link to read the full excerpt.  I will highlight a few quotes.

“Are we to fold to the powers of money that are flowing into this state to another group that’s going to dictate what we as people should do in our communities, in our villages, in our schools, and in our churches and synagogues, should they be allowed to do that? (No!) Ladies and gentleman, you are the force that has to get in there and let these people know, and you gotta get answers, because that’s exactly what it is, they’re afraid of money, they’re afraid of being, money spent against them.”

Really, Senator Golden?  Because the money being spent on the “Pro Marriage Equality Side” are coming from New York Republicans, while much of the “One Man One Woman” is coming from the National Organization for Marriage. Even your Conservative Party is using Money to influence Senators, saying that they will not fund Senators that vote for marriage equality.  So, why the money argument?
“Ladies and gentleman, it’s up to you and our prayers and our coming together of our families, our churches, our synagogues, our Muslims, all of our communities coming together and letting this legislative body know that we are not going to accept it. Marriage between a man and a woman, since the beginning of time”

Marriage has been redefined several times through the ages.  Senator Golden makes several references to Jews, Christians, and Muslims.  However, the Bible lists at least NINE types of Marriages including marrying the brother of one’s dead husband, having multiple wives, having slaves given to the husband because the wife could not bear children, and having one or more wives and one or multiple concubines. 

You can also look at how contemporary marriage has changed.  An interview with Stephanie Coontz at the Kitsap Sun discusses how the idea of “love” is a totally new concept, and that the vast history of marriage and pair bonding has been much more about political alliances than our current concept of everlasting love.

BROOKLYN RALLY FOR MARRIAGE EQUALITY

Monday, June 6, at 6:30pm
Marty Golden’s Bay Ridge Office
7408 Fifth Avenue
Brooklyn, NY

Marriage Equality Monday!

Show your support for marriage equality on Monday, June 6, in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn. We are rallying outside of State Senator Marty Golden’s office.

Not only does Senator Golden vehemently oppose marriage equality, he now wants to TAKE AWAY RIGHTS WE CURRENTLY HAVE and stop New York State from recognizing same-sex marriages that were performed outside of New York.

Golden boldly told reporters that the people in his district “don’t give a rat’s ass about social issues.”

Come down and let him know how you feel!!

Together we can secure the right for ALL New Yorkers to enter into legally recognized civil marriages.

Co-Sponsored by…
Bay Ridge Democrats
Central Brooklyn Independent Democrats
Lambda Independent Democrats
New Kings Democrats
(list in formation)

Press and News Stories

POLITICKER: “LGBT Constituents Say Marty Golden Refuses To Discuss Same-Sex Marriage”
http://bit.ly/mTBqs9

DAILY NEWS:
“NY state senator introduces ‘defense of marriage’ bill to void same-sex marriages from other states”
http://bit.ly/mBETmR

Video of Marty at anti-gay marriage rally in Albany on Tuesday 5/24
http://bit.ly/kLSPBQ

DAILY NEWS: Sen. Golden Brings NY “Defense Of Marriage” Bill

http://www.nydailynews.com/blogs/dailypolitics/2011/05/sen-golden-brings-ny-defense-of-marriage-bill

The actual Bill
S5416-2011: Declares same sex marriage entered into outside of NY void under NY law
http://open.nysenate.gov/legislation/bill/S5416-2011

Marty says people in his District “don’t give a rat’s ass about social issues.”
http://nyp.st/kynNkT

Article from The Advocate
http://www.advocate.com/News/Daily_News/2011/05/20/NY_Senator_Wants_to_Void_Marriage_Recognition/

Contact Senator Marty Golden

What Did Senator Golden Say?

Voters “don’t really give a rat’s ass about social issues”

Really?  If your constituents don’t really give a rat’s ass, then why introduce a piece of legislation that will REMOVE RIGHTS THAT PEOPLE CURRENTLY HAVE!

“The senator said voters in his southwest Brooklyn district “don’t really give a rat’s ass about social issues” and would prefer that the Senate focus on economic problems.”

Economic issues?  Really, because $391 MILLION DOLLARS sounds like a big push to lessen the economic impact on New York.  Especially when $284 Million of that will go directly to small businesses associated with the Wedding Market, including caterers, bakers, hotels, venue rentals, florists, and others.

Other Quotes from the article:

Golden, one of Bloomberg’s few reliable Capitol supporters, insisted the legislation “had nothing to do with” the mayor’s visit.

“It’s a message to the people of the state of New York that there’s at least some normalcy within this great state, the Empire State, and in the state Senate,” the Conservative-endorsed senator said.

“The mayor knows fully where I stand on the marriage issue,” he said.