A
renewed push supported by Governor Andrew Cuomo to legalize gay
marriage in New York has “deeply offended” state Senator
Ruben Diaz Sr.
Supporters announced on Wednesday that
they'll attempt to overcome a 2009 loss in the Senate by banding
together four prominent gay rights groups – Human Rights Campaign
(HRC), Empire State Pride Agenda, Freedom to Marry and Marriage
Equality New York (MENY) – under a single umbrella organization
called New Yorkers United for Marriage.
The new effort will be coordinated from
the governor's office.
“I am deeply offended that during
this Holy Week, which is a most sacred time to millions of New
Yorkers, Governor Andrew Cuomo is working hard to mobilize elected
officials to legalize homosexual marriage in New York,” said Diaz,
considered the Senate's most vociferous opponent of the institution.
“Now Governor Cuomo is targeting
communities of faith in an effort to redefine marriage,” Diaz added
in a statement.
Diaz also questioned Cuomo's use of
public resources to support the campaign.
“I must ask, if Governor Cuomo is
ethically allowed to use public resources during these serious
financial times to raise funds (by having his staff raise money) and
to use his staff (who are paid for with tax dollars) and his office
(for weekly meetings) to promote a radical agenda, then shouldn't we
all be able to use our offices and staffs to raise resources for
issues that matter to us?”
“I implore my colleagues in New
York's government and my fellow religious leaders in New York State
to oppose Governor Cuomo's blatant and shameful attack on New York's
people of faith.”