On Saturday night at the Human Rights Campaign dinner, State Senate Majority Leader Malcolm Smith told the crowd that, “Although [Democrats in Albany] do not have the number of votes at this time needed to pass the marriage equality gender bill this legislative session, we are committed to pursuing its passage.” Since HRC is a gay-advocacy organization, this was basically like going to the Hearst Cafeteria and telling all the women there that the Barneys Warehouse sale was canceled. Smith’s office since sent out a statement saying: “The Majority Leader did not say the marriage equality bill will not pass this year. He said it will pass as soon as the votes can be secured and he is committed to continuing that process now.” It’s a technically true statement: This “legislative session” ends in June, so maybe he meant it would happen in the fall (still, probably not). But for him to have said something even that discouraging at a gay rally, where his appearances normally take the form of an optimistic cheer session, means his Senate foes must be really getting to him.
Gay Marriage Spin [Times-Union]
