Mike Gianaris, the New York state
assemblyman running for the Senate, has pledged his support for a gay
marriage bill when he arrives in Albany.
Gianaris, who is running unopposed,
will be replacing retiring state Senator George Onorato, who voted
against a gay marriage bill last year.
In a video released Monday by the
Empire State Pride Agenda, New York's largest gay rights advocate,
Jose Peralta, a pro-gay marriage senator from Queens, introduces
Gianaris, who reiterates his support for gay marriage.
“I'm proud of the votes I've taken
for marriage equality in the Assembly, and I'm ready to do it again
in the state Senate,” Gianaris says.
“I want to thank LGBT New Yorkers for
their long-time support and let you know you've another strong ally
heading to the state senate.
“It's now 2 votes down, 6 more votes
to go to make marriage equality a reality in New York,” Gianaris
adds, referring to Senator Peralta, who replaced anti-gay marriage
Hiram Monserrate in a special election last March. (The video is
embedded in the right panel of this page.)
Over the past year, gay marriage
advocates have campaigned to oust senators who voted against the gay
marriage bill.
Candidates running to replace outgoing
Governor David Paterson are divided on the issue. Democrat
Andrew Cuomo recently said he wants to be the governor that signs a
gay marriage bill into law. GOP
rival Carl Paladino, who opposes marriage equality, has called Cuomo
a hypocrite for not lobbying for the bill last year.