Can’t say I, as a Manhattan Young Democrat – believe anything this guy says is on the level, but:

“I am for same-sex marriage,” Mr. Espada said. “There will be no guarantees and no quid pro quos, I think there will be a vote of conscience of the senators. And with my partner in government, Senator Skelos, we have not discussed bringing it out to the floor. I’m expressing my own personal desire to see a full debate and decision on this matter.”

New Senate President Wants Vote on Same-Sex Marriage

What a mess!

The dust definitely needs to settle on this whole thing – stay tuned…

Over the weekend press came out suggesting Democratic State Senators William T. Stachowski (Buffalo area) and David Valesky (Syracuse area) are rethinking the issue – which anyway you look at it is good news. Stachowski was a confirmed No, but now he’s a “at this point” No. Valesky has always been considered on the fence. Whether they say it or not though, if they are ever going to vote YES for Marriage Equality they will need as much cover as we can get them, that means they need to hear that their constituents support equality for all New Yorkers…

Do you know anyone who lives around Buffalo or Syracuse that might not have written a letter yet? ACTIVATE THEM!

Stachowski walks a fine line on gay marriage (6/7)
Sen. David Valesky reconsidering his stance on same-sex marriage (6/7)

With just about three weeks until the end of the legislative session, things are heating up and more orgs are jumping into the fray to make their support heard:

The latest effort comes from the New York Civil Liberties Union, which launched a new Web site that features features videos of 12 lesbian and gay couples from around the state telling the story of how they met their respective partners and urging viewers to contact their local lawmakers and ask them to vote “yes.”

The couples are from key areas represented by lawmakers who are so far holding out on marriage, including Queens, Long Island, Brooklyn and the Syracuse area.

The idea behind these efforts…is to put a human “face” on gay marriage in hopes of convincing lawmakers that this is an intensely personal issue and not merely a political hot potato.

Marriage Equality Rally in Queens, Tonight

6pm-8pm in Athens Park in Astoria (take the N/W train to 30th Avenue)

More details here:
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=83785986862

Quinn, who spent time in Albany this past week meeting with undecided senators, is cautiously optimistic.

“It was amazing how much openness there was,” she said of private meetings with lawmakers who are undecided and even a few who have said they are likely to oppose the legislation. “We just all have to create a moment for them to step forward. So I really think it is going to happen this month, before the legislative session is over.”

Maggie Gallagher sees the Senate math quite differently.

“We are now working in 24 Senate districts,” says Gallagher, president of the National Organization for Marriage, which opposes same-sex marriages. “We know we have generated thousands of phone calls to legislators. I don’t think they will be passing a gay marriage bill this session.”

http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/05/29/sotu.same.sex/

The new calling tool is off the shelf and into action. This gives NewYorkEquality.com every available means to contact and influence your State Senator. If you’ve already written your letter, call your State Senator too!

CLICK HERE TO CHECK IT OUT

And again, this only works if we not only do it ourselves, but personally activate every New Yorker we know. So reach out to all your people, and get them in the fight. We are running out of time!

Let’s DO THIS.

See the quarter for scale. Now that's a stack of letters!

Our first pile of letters was delivered to the Capitol yesterday, via the hand of Al Benninghoff of MYD and NYC City Council Speaker Christine Quinn.

Though they were delivered in closed-door meetings, one GOP State Senator is rumored to have said: “Wow, these letters are all from MY district?”

Damn straight.

Keep them coming–send this page to your friends, join the Facebook group, follow us on Twitter–you know the drill!

For your continued support.

Julie was on CNN.com earlier today talking about newyorkequality.com -

check it out here:

http://www.cnn.com/video/?JSONLINK=/video/living/2009/05/26/dcl.bloggers.prop.8.cnn