From the New York Daily News.
Mayor Bloomberg landed another left on the right yesterday, coming out strongly in favor of gay marriage – and vowing the city will perform same-sex wedding ceremonies, if allowed.
The Republican mayor used his weekly Sunday radio address on Memorial Day weekend to say he is “firmly opposed” to any constitutional amendment outlawing same-sex marriage.
President Bush and other prominent Republicans endorse the Federal Marriage Amendment, which defines marriage as between a man and a woman. The measure is set for a Senate vote next month.
“The U.S. Constitution should be something that unites, rather than divides Americans,” said Bloomberg, a life-long Democrat who joined the GOP to run for mayor in 2001.
“I do not believe that government should be in the business of telling people who they can and can't marry,” he added during the address on 1010 WINS.
The mayor took pains to give his comments local context, referring to a lawsuit due before the state Court of Appeals tomorrow that focuses on five same-sex couples seeking marriage licenses in New York City.
Bloomberg recently took a stand against the Bush White House by advocating for stronger gun control laws as well as lambasting the wingnuts for their anti-stem cell research, pro-intelligent design stance.
Bloomberg was slightly more subdued yesterday, saying he was trying to strike a balance between enforcing the laws of the land and working to change those laws that he considers unconstitutional.
“I believe New Yorkers should have the right to marry whomever they choose, regardless of sexual orientation,” he said.
“If they [the Court of Appeals] rule that same-sex marriages are legal, then we'll perform them,” he vowed.
Click here to listen to the address.
This terrifies Pennsylvania wingnuts who recognize that banning gay marriage is ultimately unconstitutional and tremble as the interstate marriage recognition issue inexorably inches toward the Supreme Court. Hence, the desperate scramble to amend the Pennsylvania Constitution.
If marriage is legalized in NY, we may go there to wed. That would be nice.
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