During this week's "debate" in the NY State Senate leading up to the 38-24 defeat of the marriage equality bill, there were a number of heart-wrenching statements by those in favor the bill, particularly Sens. Diane Savino and Ruth Hasswell-Thompson. On the "no" side, however, only Democratic Senator Reuben Diaz spoke, in a rambling statement largely complaining about how Dems had stabbed him in the back and how gays never gave him any money.
The "no" voters need to explain themselves- they didn't do it in the Senate and they haven't done it for their constituents. The video below shows a constituent of Western New York's George Mariaz asking why he's opposed to letting the questioner marry her partner, and get all the legal security that comes with it. Mariaz, coldly and cowardly, merely says that he doesn't support marriage equality because he believes marriage is between a man and a woman.
After seeing the video, I sent Mariaz the following email, with questions that need to be asked of every Senator who voted "no" this week:
You owe your constituents and the citizens of this state a real answer about why you don't support marriage equality, not a mere conclusory statement that you oppose the bill. Why do you believe marriage is only between a man and a woman? If your only basis for that belief is religion - say so, and then explain why your particular religious beliefs are a legitimate basis for state legislation. If you have another reason, explain it. Your constituents and this state deserve better.
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