There is a fascinating story in the New York Times about all the behind-the-scenes maneuvering that had to happen in order to make Marriage Equality a reality in New York. And, the article says, it was Gov. Andrew Cuomo who did the heavy lifting. There are also some other interesting tidbits:
- Cuomo's girlfriend, TV Food Network
chefstarpersonality Sandra Lee has a gay brother - and she frequently reminded her man how much she wanted to see the law change. - Democratic Senator Carl Kruger - one of the four Dems who voted "No" back in 2009 - desperately wanted to change his vote. The Times says it was because the woman he lives with has a gay nephew who cut off all contact with them after Kruger voted "No". [Note from DD: Others would say Kruger got tired of all the "closet case" talk].
- The Catholic Church - the only institution in NY which could have derailed this thing - got outmaneuvered by Gov. Cuomo.
- Senate Majority Leader Skelos, who opposed the bill, didn't oppose it enough to prevent a vote on it. New York politics are controlled by "Three Men in a Room" - the Governor, the Assembly Speaker, and the Senate Majority Leader - any of whom can kill a bill. Republican Majority Leader Skelos is described by the Times as being "weak" - so Cuomo swooped in an filled in the leadership void.
The article is a really great read - check it out.
