A confidential strategy meeting will be held today between Governor Andrew Cuomo and top gay activists in the state over the topic of marriage equality, the Times reports. While Cuomo has often said that legalizing nuptials for gay couples is a priority, advocates haven’t been sure that he’d put his money where his mouth was — the last time that a bill on the subject was put before the State Senate (in 2009), the body was controlled by Democrats and the measure failed 38–24. Now it faces even higher hurdles; even though Cuomo is vastly more popular than David Paterson, his predecessor, was, the Senate is now controlled by Republicans. He’ll need some of their votes to get a bill to pass.
Still, with this meeting, he appears to be serious about trying to make that happen. Sources tell the Times that Cuomo intends to try to get the bill passed as early as June. Attending the meeting will be City Council Speaker Christine Quinn, the Human Rights Campaign’s Brian Ellner, Empire State Pride Agenda executive director Ross Levi, and Equality Matters president Richard Socarides — as well as supportive lawmakers like Assemblyman Daniel O’Donnell and Senator Tom Duane.
Cuomo, in Gay Marriage Push, Will Meet With Leading Supporters [NYT]
