Public Advocate's Corner

A Deeply Disappointing Outcome

I am deeply disappointed that the State Senate today rejected a bill for marriage equality, denying a basic civil right to such a large population of New York residents. Senators Duane and Schneiderman must be applauded for their success in bringing this bill to the floor—and everyone who voted ‘Yes’, in particular those who shared touching personal stories, deserve thanks for their difficult work.

I pledge to join these fine public servants, and the majority of New Yorkers who support marriage equality, in continuing to fight for passage of this bill.

 

Keep Fighting For Marriage Equality

Now that the State Senate has decided not to take up a marriage equality bill today, I urge Senate Democrats to continue fighting for those final votes in the days ahead. I commend Senators Duane, Schneiderman and others working to make New York the next state to ensure marriage equality for its residents. They deserve encouragement and support from all New Yorkers who value equal rights.

In the wake of last week’s disappointing vote in Maine, it is all the more crucial that New York continue to move the country forward on marriage equality. I am confident that it will.

 

 

Everyone Will Be Counted: US Census Ends Discriminatory Policy

Earlier this year, I joined Alan Van Capelle of the Empire State Pride Agenda, Councilmember Bill de Blasio, and other advocates for LGBT individuals and same-sex couples, to open another front in the fight for gay rights in this country. For years, the US Census Bureau had refused to recognize same-sex marriages and relationships in its major surveys, and the new Obama administration presented a fresh opportunity to influence a change in policy at the Census.

Recently, we learned that the White House may be listening. As the Associated Press reports: “Married same-sex couples will be counted as such in 2010, Census Bureau officials said, reversing a decision of the Bush administration.” This is a victory for same-sex couples who deserve recognition and equal treatment from the federal government. As I argued earlier this year, an accurate estimate of how many people are living in same-sex relationships will strengthen the case for marriage equality. I hope this administration will continue to roll back discriminatory policies of the past—by repealing ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’; and by pushing for marriage equality in this country.

Choose Equal Rights

Last month, I joined elected officials and advocates in calling on the Obama administration to recognize same-sex couples in the 2010 Census and include LGBT Americans in other federal surveys. Since then, we have taken our appeal to the Commerce Department, which oversees the Census Bureau. Below is an excerpt from the letter sent yesterday to newly confirmed Commerce Secretary Gary Locke, which I have signed, along with City Council Speaker Quinn and several other councilmembers:

“An accurate count of married same-sex couples is necessary to estimate the tax revenues that could be generated once same-sex unions are recognized by the federal government. Allowing old biases to produce inaccurate tax revenue projections and misinformed public policy decisions is both unfair and detrimental to all citizens of the United States, regardless of sexual orientation.

Since the 2010 census provides the data upon which federally-funded nutrition and education programs are based, the use of incorrect population data does a significant disservice to the citizens who rely on these programs and the taxpayers who fund them.” Read Full Letter

In the past week we have witnessed remarkable progress in the advancement of marriage rights for same-sex couples in the United States: on Friday an Iowa court struck down a state law banning same-sex marriage; and just yesterday, the Vermont legislature legalized gay marriage, while the Washington DC city council voted to honor gay marriages performed in other states.

I can only hope that this momentum will continue. The New York State legislature should follow Vermont’s lead in choosing equal rights over discrimination—not at the behest of a court, but because it is the right thing to do.

Victory for Marriage Equality in Iowa

As a long-time proponent of marriage equality, I welcome 
today’s ruling by the Iowa Supreme Court that struck down a state law banning same-sex marriage. Unfortunately, New York continues to lag behind in providing equal rights to all. The time has come for New York State to move forward, and now, with the full support from both of our U.S. Senators and Mayor Bloomberg, I urge the legislature to do the right thing and make marriage equality a reality in New York.

Everyone Must Be Counted: US Census discriminates against LGBT Americans

Today, Betsy Gotbaum joined Councilmember Bill de Blasio on the steps of City Hall to call on the Obama administration to recognize same-sex couples in the 2010 Census and include LGBT Americans in other federal surveys. Read More here [pdf].

Public Advocate Betsy Gotbaum, long-time supporter of LGBT rights, said, "I am extremely disappointed that the 2010 Census will not ask about sexual orientation or recognize gay marriages—or any type of same-sex relationship, for that matter. A spokesperson for the Census Bureau explained that being gay is a “lifestyle” choice and does not belong in the Census. This is disturbing and wrong.

For years, I have been a strong, vocal supporter of marriage rights for same-sex couples. An accurate estimate of how many people are living in same-sex relationships will strengthen the case for marriage equality.

Without marriage equality for all, same-sex couples are denied many of the rights of married couples—such as, a right to decision-making for a partner, custody and visitation rights, access to insurance, and inheritance protections.

And, as I argued earlier this year, New York City will receive a huge boost in revenue if marriage rights and benefits are extended to same-sex couples. A study conducted by the Comptroller’s office found that marriage equality would bring $142 million into the City in the three years following its legalization.

I strongly support passage of this resolution calling for the federal government to recognize legally married same-sex couples in the 2010 Census; and to count lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Americans in other surveys.

It is long past time for the federal government to acknowledge the LGBT community in its Census.
Let’s fight for a change in this senseless Census policy." 

Boosting City Revenue Through Marriage Equality

So, New York City wants to bring more money in to the economy through marriage licenses. The Bloomberg administration has created a “24,000 square foot wedding palace”hoping to attract couples to get hitched at a new marriage bureau location on Worth Street.

 

This is a terrific idea, except there’s something missing, specifically all the revenue that the city could be seeing if marriage equality existed in New York.

If the administration is serious about increasing marriage licenses and building city revenue, then we need to get serious about marriage equality in our state and city. According to a study conducted by the Comptroller’s office, “allowing gays to marry would boost that city's economy by $142 million in the three years following legalization.”  

 

If that’s not enough, a recent Congressional study [pdf] found that if all 50 states and the federal government extended the rights and obligations of marriage to same-sex couples, gay weddings would generate almost $1 billion in revenue each year.

New York needs to get with the times. As they say, "gay marriage will save the economy"...