In 2007, former Governor Eliot Spitzer introduced a bill that would have legalized same-sex "marriage."  State Assembly Democrats passed same-sex marriage legislation (Bill A-8590) on June 19, 2007 by an 85-61 vote.  Thankfully, State Senate Republicans refused to even vote on the measure, effectively blocking the bill's enactment into law.  The same-sex marriage bill is being opposed by the Coalition to Save Marriage in New York (www.savemarriageny.org), a group of more than a dozen organizations across the state -- including APAC -- that have banded together to uphold the true definition of marriage in New York State.

The battle, of course, is far from over.  In early 2008, State Senate Minority Leader Malcolm Smith was spotted wining and dining with Empire State Pride Agenda Director Alan Van Capelle and representatives from the Colorado based, pro-homosexual Tim Gill Foundation.  After Eliot Spitzer resigned from office due to his involvement in a prostitution scandal, Governor David Paterson continued to push for same-sex "marriage."  In May 2008, Governor Paterson, who has described same-sex "marriage" as "beautiful," directed all state agencies in New York to begin recognizing same-sex "marriage" licenses from other states and nations.  With the help of attorneys from the Alliance Defense Fund, seven state legislators, several conservative leaders, and other concerned citizens have filed a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the governor's directive.

The New York State Senate is now the focus of the same-sex "marriage" battle, as well-funded advocates of homosexual behavior have been spending hundreds of thousands of dollars in an effort to establish a pro-same-sex-"marriage" Senate majority.  Please contact your State Senator (via e-mail, phone, or snail mail) and let them know where you stand on marriage -- regardless of what their party affiliation happens to be.