Economic Insecurity No Excuse for Bigotry

by Leigh Graham · 2009-12-03 16:09:00 UTC
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As you may have heard, the New York Senate voted against same-sex marriage yesterday. Some anti-equality Senators then threw their struggling constituents under the bus, blaming economic hardship for their nay votes:

...Senator Tom Libous, the deputy Republican leader [said], “I just don’t think the majority care too much about it at this time because they’re out of work, they want to see the state reduce spending, and they are having a hard time making ends meet.

I'm sorry, but what does one have to with the other? This makes me think of those hopefully rare occasions in one's life, when you're lamenting about something, assuming some degree of sympathy from the listener, who instead cuts you off with an irritable, "you know, I've got problems of my own right now." Point being: so take your issues and STFU already. Way to send the message, Senators.

Nevermind that legalizing gay marriage brings an economic return - something almost every state in the nation could use right now. 30k same-sex marriages would bring an additional $100M+ into the Massachusetts economy, a UCLA report found in 2008. Yeah, I'd hate to see a whole new market open up for honeymoon travel and tourism revenues in New York State. That's exactly what the recession-strapped state doesn't need right now. Gay people, quit distracting us with your whining about inequality! We've got some starvin' to do!

Gay Rights blogger wonders if Paterson could have been more influential on this vote if New Yorkers actually liked the guy. I just wonder how hard anyone is pressing the economic case here, especially with lovely neighbors Connecticut and Vermont throwing open their doors to LGBT Americans. I hate when states fight one another for the next mega-casino development, but I'd love to see some of that competition to legalize gay marriage right now.

(Photo of Josh and Zach's NY wedding by CarbonNYC)

Leigh Graham
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