Gay marriage supporters in New York
will lobby lawmakers for its legalization at Monday's lobby day.
More than 1,200 supporters are expected
to attend gay rights group Empire State Pride Agenda's annual
Equality and Justice Day in Albany.
“With the leadership of a
historically popular governor, an Assembly that has repeatedly voted
in support of this agenda and rapidly increasing statewide momentum,
this year marks the most dynamic opportunity yet for LGBT New Yorkers
and their allies to tell their stories directly to legislators,”
the group said in a statement.
Lieutenant Governor Robert Duffy, and
openly gay lawmakers Senator Thomas Duane and Assemblyman Daniel
O'Donnell will address the crown at the Empire State Plaza Convention
Center. Duane and O'Donnell have carried gay marriage bills in the
past. A Statehouse rally begins at 1PM.
A 2009 Democrat-controlled Senate
rejected the legislation by a wide margin. Supporters are counting
on Governor Andrew Cuomo's endorsement to help get the legislation
approved in the six weeks remaining in the legislative session.
Senator Ruben Diaz Sr., the Senate's
most vociferous opponent of marriage equality, and the National
Organization for Marriage (NOM) will rally against the
yet-to-be-introduced gay marriage bill at a Sunday rally in the
Bronx.