April 16, 2009
Posted: April 16th, 2009 12:03 PM ET

From
Gillibrand said she supports same-sex marriage.
Gillibrand said she supports same-sex marriage.

(CNN) - New York Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand issued a strong endorsement Thursday of the legalization of same-sex marriage in her state.

"New York and the nation are ready to start a new chapter. The time has come for full marriage equality," she said in an issued statement. "I commend the Governor for his leadership on this important issue. If Iowa can do it, so can we."

Her comments come the same day Gov. David Paterson announced plans to introduce legislation seeking to add New York to the growing list of states where same-sex couples can legally get married.

Gillibrand did not endorse same-sex marriage when she was a congresswoman from New York's 20th District. Earlier this year, she indicated that she would back it as a senator.

Sen. Chuck Schumer, New York's other senator, has also declared his support for same-sex marriage, after initially opposing the idea.

Filed under: Kirsten Gillibrand


Ryan   April 16th, 2009 5:03 pm ET

Excellent. Someone who isn't afraid to admit she believes in Equal Rights and that Americans deserve the freedom to choose who they want to marry.

Imagine that.

MJM   April 16th, 2009 5:03 pm ET

Of course you approve of it! Anything to make the "people" happy!!!

Equality for All   April 16th, 2009 4:59 pm ET

Marriage is not necessarily a religious institution people... It is recognized by the government first (marriage license) Keep your Bible out of politics. It is not how we run things nor should it ever be. Our forefathers believed in separation of church and state for a reason. No I'm not gay, but they deserve the same rights as everyone else and I'll fight side by side with them to ensure that they get the equality that they deserve. This is no different than saying African-Americans, Mexicans, etc. cannot marry. We are all people and deserve to be treated equally as people.

Barbara Kelly, Austin Tx   April 16th, 2009 4:56 pm ET

"Marriage" can mean anything you want it to mean in your own Church but it doesn't have to mean the same thing to all Americans!

Barbara Kelly, Austin Tx   April 16th, 2009 4:54 pm ET

I truely believe that if we had all be more accepting of gays and gay marriage and families, my 17 year old son would not have committed suicide. Thank you too all the lawmakers who have opened your hearts and broken this cycle of needless pain and suffering.

stormerF   April 16th, 2009 4:53 pm ET

Pay back for a senate seat,,,Why does she care,its what the Liberal Democrats in New York want.Now maybe Schumer will be more on her side instead of looking for the jab to give her?

Jon   April 16th, 2009 4:52 pm ET

50% of male/female marriages end in divorce, and celebrities like Britney Spears get married and then have it annulled two days later as a lark. All of the biased homophobes here should turn their attention to fixing what's wrong with male/female marriage instead of spouting bigotry on message boards.

Jack in Florida   April 16th, 2009 4:50 pm ET

Of course she does....she is a bright woman and realizes that it is 2009 not 1969...................................equal rights for all!!

phoenix86   April 16th, 2009 4:50 pm ET

Dear Erik,

I'll leave my bible out of tax-funded initiatives if you will leave my tax dollars out of them as well.

Ken   April 16th, 2009 4:39 pm ET

What is wrong with this country. Being run by all of these special interest groups!

We don't need to have laws that allow same-sex partners to get married. Contract law will give the the rights they need.

NO SAME-SEX LAWS, UNLESS IT IS TO PREVENT SAME-SEX MARRIAGES!

KMP in NC   April 16th, 2009 4:37 pm ET

Same-sex marriage is NOT a marriage! I am so tired of elected officials bowing down to this foolishness. Same-sex couples have every right to live their lives together if they so choose, but they do not have a right to have all the rights of those of us who did it the right way. Yes, I said the right way. From the beginning of time, marriage has been between a man and woman. In the book of Romans, chapter 1, it says that there would come a time when people would exchange the truth of God for a lie. Marriage for a same-sex couple is a lie. I do not care how to try to dress it up or spin it, a lie is a lie.

HF from PA   April 16th, 2009 4:36 pm ET

ll right all you theology who use the abomination argument...better quit eating shrimp at Red Lobster!

denny   April 16th, 2009 4:28 pm ET

When Gillibrand says the nation is ready is she including Missouri inwhich by the state constitution it is illegal for same sex to marry....Just because a man likes butt doesnt mean he should be given rights

Anonymous   April 16th, 2009 4:25 pm ET

She would – she looks a little "iffy" herself! Long live the union of Adam and Eve, not Adam and Steve!

Jamie from Philly   April 16th, 2009 4:20 pm ET

Yes! Now to get a similar movement going in Pennsylvania.... and the rest of the U.S.

Civil Rights for everyone.

gt   April 16th, 2009 4:01 pm ET

typical politican ,,,, how low can she go ....everything for everbody for free......no grit...no backbone...

Brian G, Sugar Land, TX   April 16th, 2009 3:57 pm ET

Of course she does and so does her wife.

Erik in Real Pennsylvania   April 16th, 2009 3:51 pm ET

Lots of people look to their Bible to justify opposing gay marriage. The Old Testament book (Leviticus) condemning homosexuality as an "abomination" also condemns eating shellfish and pork, and further condemns wearing clothing made from two types of fabric woven together. A New Testament book condemning homosexuality as evil (1 Corinthians) also condemns women speaking in church and women going around hatless. Don't blame the Bible for your discomfort with gay marriage, unless you strictly adhere to all those other prohibitions. In any case, the government should use only the Constitution, not other literature, to develop our laws. In your private family and church life, do whatever your heart, or your pastor, desires, but leave your religious moralizing out of tax-funded initiatives.

Brian Crooks   April 16th, 2009 3:46 pm ET

I'm pleasantly surprised :)

Pee Wee   April 16th, 2009 3:45 pm ET

Who cares what she thinks? That shouldn't matter. It's what her constituents support that should be a basis for her position. Our folks in government have forgotten this concept.

They are there to represent their constituents, not their own whims. Their viewpoints usually represent their own economic self-interest and which lobbyist is willing to pay the highest price.

The fourth paragraph above proves my point, all of a sudden, she's had a change of heart.

Everyone in Congress up for re-election in 2010 should find out what a term limit is.

dave   April 16th, 2009 3:44 pm ET

Marriage means two people become husband (the man) and wife (the woman). Husband and husband is not marriage. Wife and wife is not marriage.

I think it is horrible and unconstituational that gay men can't go fishing with a hunting license. Did you know a gay man could be arrested for performing surgery if the only license he has is a driver's license. Would you let a man with only a plumbing license rewire your home?

With that being said, I feel no threat from gay marriage. I do feel marriage is under threat from Britney Spears, quicky Las Vegas marriages, easy divorces, most of Fox TV and VH-1 TV shows like the Bachelor, the Cougar, the Flavor of Love, etc.

The Bible says a man laying with another man as if with a woman is an abomination. In the same book the Bible says eating sea creatures that do not have fins is an abomination. So going to the Red Lobster is just as bad as going to a gay bath house, in the eyes of God.

The Bible does not says anything about two women together, because Moses knew two women together is hot.

Mississippi Mike   April 16th, 2009 3:44 pm ET

Of course she supports gay marriage, she is a Democrat who would like to be re-elected.

Dutch/Bad Newz, VA   April 16th, 2009 3:43 pm ET

I'm a democrat, but I disagree with you guys completely on this issue. Same sex couples should remain unions.

Anonymous   April 16th, 2009 3:41 pm ET

That shouldn't matter. It's what her constituents support that should. Our folks in government have forgotten this concept.

They are there to represent their constituents, not their own whims. Their viewpoints usually represent their own economic self-interest and whic lobbyist is willing to pay the highest price.

The fourth paragraph above proves my point, all of a sudden, she's had a change of heart.

Steve   April 16th, 2009 3:41 pm ET

"If Iowa can do it, so can we"?

Come on, Senator Gillibrand. You're really being silly. Iowa didn't 'do it' – their idiotic, unconstitutional supreme court did. This nation isn't in any way 'ready' for gay marriage. Forget it.

David   April 16th, 2009 3:41 pm ET

Just don't let the people have a vote on it.

It will be defeated if you do.

Shasta   April 16th, 2009 3:35 pm ET

Although this is a great thing for the equality movement, it's ridiculous how two-faced some of these politicians are. Good Lord.

Jimmy the Greek   April 16th, 2009 3:35 pm ET

"Gillibrand did not endorse same-sex marriage when she was a congresswoman from New York's 20th District. Earlier this year, she indicated that she would back it as a senator"

Democrats = political cowards

Obama doesn't support gay marriage (that position is good to get votes when you're running for the US Presidency)... but refuses to do ANYTHING to oppose gay marriage.

That's basically the same as saying "Domestic Violence is bad"... and watching your neighbor beat his wife while you drink your morning coffee.

I WILL WALK BO   April 16th, 2009 3:34 pm ET

Shame on you Gillibrand!

For You, For the US   April 16th, 2009 3:33 pm ET

Thank you Kirsten Gillibrand. I just wish my state could be as open minded as yours. God Bless you for giving a damn about people!

Jesse   April 16th, 2009 3:29 pm ET

Thank you, Senator! it must be a tough job filling Hillary Clinton's shoes, but this is a GREAT start! thank you! You make us proud!

John   April 16th, 2009 3:22 pm ET

As a Californian, I am sad to see my state slipping further behind the growing national trend toward legalizing marriage for all americans, especially since we were not long ago one of the leaders. I can only hope that our courts do the right thing and restore the hard won right my gay and lesbian friends and family once enjoyed in this state.

awaitingliberalizationbyCNN   April 16th, 2009 3:15 pm ET

Well, it's apparent Schumer, must have figured out their is some camera time for him in it, and Gillibrand is an obvious lib, so gee what is the story.

Robin   April 16th, 2009 3:07 pm ET

Just a way to pander votes.

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