Politics & Government

Locals Praise Passing of Gay Marriage Bill

Once signed into law, New York will become the sixth state to pass a gay marriage law.

Port Jeff locals were quick to celebrate the New York  State Senate's passage on Friday evening of a bill allowing gay couples to marry.

Dennis Mannarino, who lives in Port Jefferson and is gay, said the passing of the bill was as historic as the civil rights movement.

“When I was seven years old it was illegal for a black person to marry a white person,” he said. “When my son was seven years old it was illegal for man to marry a man or a woman to marry a woman. Someday I will have grandchildren and love will just be love.”

Find out what's happening in Port Jeffersonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The state Senate passed the bill Friday night by a vote of 33-29, capping off a week-long buildup to the closely watched vote. Kenneth LaValle, R-Port Jefferson was one of the senators who voted against the bill.

In order to pick up the votes needed to pass, legislators and the governor had to agree to add protections in the bill for religious institutions and nonprofits so that they would not be obligated to marry same-sex couples. Senate majority leader Dean Skelos broke the news earlier Friday that the bill was going to be brought to the floor for a vote after amendments were made.

Find out what's happening in Port Jeffersonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

When Gov. Andrew Cuomo signs the bill into law, New York will become the sixth state to legalize same-sex marriage in the country.

Mannarino said that his partner whom he lives with is just as thrilled with the passing.

“We plan to get married,” he said although he said he isn’t sure where they will have the ceremony. “I haven’t really thought about it. It was just so that we couldn’t. I’d have to think about it.”

Mannarino said that his son now is 12 years old and he’s for it.

“It validates his family,” he said.

He also said that the vote comes at a “very interesting” time since this is gay pride week in New York City.

On Facebook, some expressed their opinion on the bill before it was passed.

"No disrespect. I believe that something needs to change. I don't think it should be called Marriage," said Erin McGuire Greisch. " I think a civil union is appropriate. They should be allowed the same legalities that a 'married couples' are entitled to."

Kathy Paulson who has lived with her partner for 9 years, owns a home and have children together said that it was "time for legalized discrimination against gay people to end."

She pays more taxes than a straight married couple because she and her partner can't file jointly.

"And (we) are unable to obtain medical coverage under each other's health insurance," she said. "We are law abiding citizens of this state and deserve the same rights and freedoms as everyone else."

While the amendments make sure that no religious organization has to fear legal retribution for not performing a same sex marriage ceremony, the same is not true of government agencies.

Mayor Margot Garant said that in the village of Port Jefferson the justices and the mayor are licensed to perform marriages in Port Jefferson. She also said earlier on Friday that if the bill passes she’d have “a huge gathering on the front lawn and marry everyone at once.”


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