Our campaign is in favor of equal civil rights for all Americans without exception. Lesbian and gay couples are without the 700+ rights and responsibilities that New York confers on married couples as soon as they say, "I do." Lesbian and gay couples should have the freedom to marry. Only civil marriage can provide such vital protections and security to lesbian and gay families as granting the right to visit a hospitalized partner, custody and visitation rights for families, social security benefits to a surviving partner, immigration rights for international same-sex couples, and hundreds of other legal protections and responsibilities. It's only fair.
Look how far we've come. Two-thirds of the public have told national pollsters that it is inevitable that same-sex couples will be able to marry, and a majority of Americans now support extending to lesbian and gay couples at least the same protections and benefits already given to married couples. In 2001, Vermont made history by instituting civil unions for lesbian and gay couples, offering state-level protections parallel to marriage (though separate and unequal). Such progress, however, occurs against a backdrop in which the far right continues to try to shut down this crucial discussion with pre-emptive discriminatory laws and ballot measures. Anti-gay efforts on state ballots have included extremist measures in several states to change the state constitution to define marriage as only between a man and a woman.
The New York State Democratic Committee is already formally on record against DOMA, which Hillary Clinton supports, and in favor of marriage for same-sex couples. Anyone who cares about family values should be committed to giving all New York families the things they need to support and care for each other. There is nothing conservative or even appropriate about using the law to tell people how to live their lives, certainly not when it comes to love and family. As Senator, Jonathan will fight to ensure that all citizens are given equal rights, regardless of race, religion, sex or sexual orientation.
