It's all about the "religious protections" now. Big question is whether the Senate GOPers are negotiating in good faith or if this is a ploy. We might find out soon. Here's the latest from AP:
Protection for religious groups is the last major issue to be worked out in Wednesday's negotiations over a bill that would legalize same-sex marriages in New York state.It's brutal to watch these Senate GOPers treat our equality so cavalierly. We're not equal. That's all we want. Cut the deal and let New Yorkers get married.
The vote in the New York legislature is seen as a critical moment in the national debate over same-sex marriage.
Senate Republicans and Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo plan to resume talks over legal protections sought by religious groups who fear they'll be hit with discrimination lawsuits if they refuse to allow their facilities to be used for gay weddings. If an agreement is reached, the Republican-led Senate could decide to send the bill to the floor for a public vote, or kill.
That floor vote could be as soon as late Wednesday or Thursday.
The Democrat-led Assembly is ready to adopt the additional religious protections in the bill proposed by Cuomo.
And, I know we've all been urging this for weeks, but if you live in New York, call your Senators. ESPA makes it easy. It really, really matters.
