Spitzer to Push for Same-Sex Marriage

Governor Eliot Spitzer recently announced that he will introduce a bill securing same-sex marriage in New York. While he did not mention the bill in his State of the State address, Spitzer -- the first governor in the United States to introduce a same-sex marriage bill -- intends to ensure its swift passage, calling the legislation a "simple moral imperative".

Successfully passing the bill will require a good deal of political maneuvering on Spitzer's part. Likely, any discussion of the bill will be steeped in thick progressive moral rhetoric. More importantly, however, Spitzer will need to gain crucial support from the Democratic majority of the State Assembly, the Republican majority in the State Senate, and even liberal religious leaders.

On the surface, this may seem impossible, considering that New York has not yet passed legislation securing domestic partnership or civil union rights. However, Republican majority leader of the State Senate, Joseph Bruno, is widely known to be a pragmatist willing to compromise on issues with a good deal of momentum. Democratic majority leader of the State Assembly, Sheldon Silver, says that he will not take a stand on the issue until speaking with other Democrats in the state. However, most Democrats are vocal advocates of same-sex marriage, so it is likely that the State Assembly would pass this bill very quickly. The largest voice of opposition will inevitably come from religious leaders, particularly wealthy groups like the Catholic church and the growing Evangelical movement. However, Spitzer is quick to argue that religious groups have the right to determine who is permitted within their houses, but they cannot dictate who the state can marry.

Clearly, if Spitzer wants to pass a bill enacting same-sex marriage, then he will need to gain support from both the Republican and Democratic party leaders. These leaders will be responsible for creating the coalitions necessary for success. If Spitzer can mobilize politicians from both sides of the aisle, however, his push for same-sex marriage may well be the first of many more throughout the United States.