In another sign of Americans’ rapidly changing attitudes toward gay rights, a new ABC News/Washington Post survey released today finds that, for the first time in a decade of polling, a majority of Americans now support same sex marriage.

That finding comes just weeks after the Obama administration announced that it would no longer defend the Defense of Marriage Act — the law that prohibits the federal government from recognizing same sex marriages performed in states where they are legal — in court. And it adds weight to the reinvigorated efforts of pro-gay-rights Democrats who, for the first time, see the issue as a political winner.

In the poll, 53% of American adults said they think same sex marriage should be legal, compared to 44% who said it should not be. ABC found support for same sex marriage up six points from just one year ago, when 47% of Americans told the network it should be legal, while 50% said it should remain illegal.

Support for same sex marriage has been trending up for years. In 2004, just over six in ten Americans opposed gay marriage, while about one-third supported it, according to the CNN poll.

Talking Points Memo

ALSO – KEEP UP THE PRESSURE @
http://www.newyorkequality.com/

YES: 18
NO: 1
(32 votes needed)

SEN DIAZ: NO

SEN SCHNEIDERMAN: YES
SEN ADAMS: YES
SEN KLEIN: YES
SEN VALESKY: YES (was an unknown)
SEN PARKER: YES
SEN ESPADA: YES
SEN SAVINO: YES
SEN KRUEGER: YES
SEN SQUADRON: YES
SEN MONTGOMERY: YES
SEN SERRANO: YES
SEN HASSELL-THOMPSON: YES (was an unknown, and wow.)
SEN JOHNSON: YES
SEN PERKINS: YES
SEN OPPENHEIMER: YES
SEN STAVISKY: YES
SEN SMITH: YES
SEN DUANE: YES

We WILL see a vote before the end of year, possibly just as soon as the budget get passed…

“It’s about strategy,” she said. “If you do taxes for local governments and mayoral control, if those get done, the Republicans won’t stay for more. If you want leverage, you say, ‘No, you can’t just go home if you get the mayor off your back and the counties can do taxes.’ I think it’s very important to go to the governor, the only one who can fix this situation, and say, ‘Your active list must include measures that are the true progressive goals of the party.’”

Krueger mentioned reproductive freedom and tenant protections along with marriage equality as part of that package.

Use our FREE calling tool to tell Senator Sampson that he must make sure progressive goals such as marriage equality make it on to the active list TODAY. We don’t have much time before the 2009 session draws to a close.

Paterson said that if both sides can not reach a leadership agreement by Tuesday, Court of Appeals Chief Justice Jonathan Lippman would serve as the Senate’s presiding officer.

While Paterson said initial agenda would be limited to time-sensitive legislation, he said other issues, including same-sex marriage and Tier 5 pension reform might be included in later sessions.

We can debate whether this is constitutional later. If the session goes forward, it means that our New York Equality coalition have a small window of time in which to urge the Senate to put marriage equality on the active list. (The “active list” is the list of bills that will be brought to the floor on any given day in session.)

We’re in full agreement with Senator Duane:

The Manhattan Democrat, who is carrying Gov. David Paterson’s marriage program bill, sent a letter to all of his fellow bill sponsors today in which he declares himself to be “deeply troubled” by the fact that neither Sen. Malcolm Smith nor Sen. John Sampson has pledged to bring the measure to the floor for a vote since the coup:

“I have come to the conclusion that I cannot support any Leader who does not demand that marriage equality come to the floor and pass in 2009. I urge that you, as a co-sponsor of the marriage equality legislation, will do the same.”

That’s why it’s very important that New York Equality supporters put the pressure on newly-selected Democratic Conference leader John Sampson to bring the bill to the floor. (He’s publicly ‘undecided’ on the issue.) You can use NYE’s handy-dandy (and FREE!) click-to-call tool to be connected to this office directly.

Do it today–the special session begins on Tuesday!

And don’t forget to follow us at @goMYD, tweet with #nyequality and join our Facebook page.

(P.S. Meanwhile, “coalition” conference GOP+Espada is saying there is no need for the governor to call a special session because they will be holding their own sessions every day this coming week; also, no need for a judge to preside–the Senate has a president pro tem, and his name is Pedro Espada Jr.)

A talented friend of the coalition has taken the next step by creating a video to support our #nyequality efforts. (BIG shout-out to writer/director/editor Shannon Manning and illustrator Maria Schneider!!) 

Enjoy, share, make viral! And of course, if you haven’t yet, contact your State Senator and urge them to pass this important civil rights legislation.