Former Tom Suozzi, County Executive of Nassau County
"I now support same-sex marriage. This is a subject of great debate before the New York State Legislature (although the legislators there are a little distracted right now and I hope that same-sex civil marriage will be approved within the month". Source-Op/Ed piece, NY Times, June 2009

Illinois Senator Barack Obama

"That's why I opposed DOMA in 2006 when I ran for the Senate. That's why I am a strong supporter not of a weak version of civil unions, but of a strong version, in which the rights that are conferred at the federal level to persons who are part of the same sex union are compatible."  Source-2007 HRC/LOGO Debate  

"When it comes to federal rights, the over 1,100 rights that right now are not being given to same sex couples, I think that's unacceptable, and as president of the United States, I am going to fight hard to make sure that those rights are available." Source-2007 HRC/LOGO Debate

"My view is that we should try to disentangle what has historically been the issue of the word "marriage," which has religious connotations to some people, from the civil rights that are given to couples, in terms of hospital visitation, in terms of whether or not they can transfer property or Social Security benefits and so forth. So it depends on how the bill would've come up. I would've supported and would continue to support a civil union that provides all the benefits that are available for a legally sanctioned marriage. And it is then, as I said, up to religious denominations to make a determination as to whether they want to recognize that as marriage or not."                 Source-2007 HRC/LOGO Debate

"As the Democratic nominee for President, I am proud to join with and support the LGBT community in an effort to set our nation on a course that recognizes LGBT Americans with full equality under the law. That is why I support extending fully equal rights and benefits to same sex couples under both state and federal law. That is why I support repealing the Defense of Marriage Act and the "Don't Ask Don't Tell" policy, and the passage of laws to protect LGBT Americans from hate crimes and employment discrimination. And that is why I oppose the divisive and discriminatory efforts to amend the California Constitution, and similar efforts to amend the U.S. Constitution or those of other states."  Source-Letter to Alice B. Toklas LGBT Democratic Club of San Francisco, June 29, 2008
 

Former NY State Senator Hillary Clinton

"I believe in full equality of benefits, nothing left out," she said. "From my perspective there is a greater likelihood of us getting to that point in civil unions or domestic partnerships and that is my very considered assessment."  Source-Gay City News October 26, 2006

"My position is consistent," she said. "I support states making the decision. I think that Chuck Schumer would say the same thing. And if anyone ever tried to use our words in any way, we'll review that. Because I think that it should be in the political process and people make a decision and if our governor and our Legislature support marriage in New York, I'm not going to be against that... So I feel very comfortable with being able to refute anybody who tries to pit us or pit me against Eliot."  Source-Gay City News October 26, 2006

Governor David Patterson

"I know the senate has a lot of different issues that they need to work out. I knew they were busy, so on May 14 of 2008, I thought I would sign the memorandum that would respect marriage equality in any states that permit it right here in New York State. I thought you would like that.”  Source-Empire Pride Agenda Fall Gala, October 20, 2008"

"We thought it was very important to pass a marriage-equality act in the Assembly," he said, "so I left my role as acting president of the Senate because there was nothing going on over there that was interesting."  Source-NY Magazine October 21, 2008

"If the bill were to pass in the Senate, I think we'd have bipartisan support regardless of who was in the majority."  Source-NY Magazine October 21, 2008

Malcolm Smith, Minority Leader of the NYS Senate

At the annual Fall Dinner Empire State Pride Agenda (ESPA) hosted on October 11, Smith pledged to "forward the bill" on "the first day of our session," and to put it at "the top of the list" when discussing leading agenda items with the governor. To enthusiastic applause from the 1,000 or so at the EPSA dinner, Smith specifically refuted speculation that dogged him when Lieutenant Governor David Paterson left the Democratic Senate leadership post and he stepped up that he would have trouble championing marriage equality as "an African-American religious man from Queens."  Source-Gay City News

"At the Empire State Pride Agenda's 2007 fall dinner, Malcolm Smith, who last year became the Senate Democratic leader, pledged that if his party won a majority, marriage equality for same-sex couples, already approved by the Assembly at Spitzer's behest, would be at the top of the agenda." Gay City News February 28, 2008

"One of the first things we're going to do when [Senate Minority Leader] Malcolm Smith is [majority] leader is gay marriage," the witness recounted Spitzer as telling some 60 people who paid up to $10,000 each to attend the event in Greenwich Village Wednesday night. Source-NY Post

"Senator Smith is the incumbent for this seat, and has been selected by his fellow Democratic senators to be the next Senate Minority Leader. He has been a strong ally of the Pride Agenda and the LGBT community, having voted correctly for every piece of LGBT legislation that has come in front of him. He answered every question on our questionnaire correctly. He faces no challenger in the general election.  We are proud to express our support and endorse Malcolm Smith to represent the 14th Senatorial District." Empire State Pride Agenda

"To my colleagues on this [Democratic] side of the aisle, the interesting thing is throughout these last months people have come to me from time to time and …tell me ‘Well, the Bible says [same-sex marriage] is wrong.’ What is wrong is not knowing what the Bible says and retreating to it. The Bible does not say same-sex marriage is wrong. The Bible talks about the importance of individuals and the importance of relationships and fairness and understanding one another…"  Senate Record, December 2009

*State Senator Craig Johnson

"Craig Johnson said he supports marriage equality and would vote for it if and when legislation is introduced."  Source-NY Blade, January 17, 2007

“Any couple in a loving relationship should have the right to the benefits, and the burdens, of marriage,” Johnson said in a statement. “I think about the right to visit one’s partner in the hospital. I think about the kind of end-of-life decisions that are unfortunately thrust upon us. I think about the joy of celebrating a permanent commitment of love, trust and friendship. And, as a civil rights matter, as an issue of values, I don’t see how we can continue to deny those rights.” Source-NY Blade, January 17, 2007

"[T]his bill doesn’t force anyone to do anything."  Senate Record, December 2009

State Senator Eric Adams

"I respect the opinion of my colleagues that have religious beliefs, and I have religious beliefs. But when I walk through these doors, my Bible stays out." Senate record, December 2009

*State Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins  

*State Senator Velmanette Montgomery

"As a co-sponsor of the marriage equality bill in New York State, I proudly endorse the right of LGBT couples to enter into civil marriage and receive the same governmental entitlements and protections afforded heterosexual couples. Same-sex marriage is about equal protection under the law.  Source-Empire pride Agenda

"I just want to remind my colleagues that it was always considered that if you were living together…and not officially married, that you were actually living in sin. So for those of us who believe in the religious tenet of why we should be supporting people being able to marry, we do not want them to live in sin."  Senate Record, December 2009

State Senator Kevin S. Parker

“I believe that marriage is a fundamental right that should be extended to all loving couples. Legislating discrimination is a dangerous road to travel down and I, for one, find myself worried when the government takes it upon itself to decide which two people should make a life together

"…I’m hoping that in a few years the idea that same-sex marriages wouldn’t happen, wouldn’t be able to be legal in this country, will be [considered] ridiculous. That that notion [will be] as antiquated…as dinosaurs."  Senate Record, December 2009

State Senator Ruth Hassell-Thompson

"This bill is not about encouraging people, enticing people, but rather giving them the right to make the choice for themselves. And if there’s a condemnation in that choice, which is something that my church preaches, then that’s between them and God."  Senate Record, December 2009

State Senator Diane Savino

"We in government don’t determine the quality or the validity of people’s relationships. If we did, we would not issue three-quarters of the marriage licenses we do."  Senate Record, December 2009

"I know there are many people in the religious community who feel that we’re going to force this on them when that in fact is not true. We have never done that." Senate Record, December 2009

State Senator Eric Schneiderman

 "This myth that [same-sex marriage] is going to affect religious institutions is a myth. The facts do not support it." Senate Record, December 2009

 "This bill hurts no one but gives the American ideal of equality to many, many people." Senate Record, 2009 

"This is not about morality, because you can’t legislate morality, ladies and gentlemen." Senate Record, December 2009

State Senator David Valesky

"This bill does not, could not, and, as long as our Constitution remains the law of the land, could never affect in any way, shape or form [or] compel any house of worship in this country to do anything that is against their belief system."  Senate Record, December 2009

State Senate Candidate Steven Dollinger

"I will vote for a marriage equality bill. The time has come." Source-The Albany Project   Sept. 20, 2008

"I come from a big Catholic family and I think the concept of couples who are committed to each other being able to have that commitment recognized is an important one," Dollinger said. "How can anybody be against more families, more stable relationships, more stable family households? It's both the logical thing to do and the right thing to do."  Source-Gay City News  March 20, 2008

State Senate Candidate Joe Mesi

"I don't see myself not being supportive of equal rights." When asked if he would vote for a bill supporting gay marriage, Mesi called it a "fairness" issue and again referred to it as an equal rights issue before adding, simply, "yes."  Source-The Albany Project  Aug.  28, 2008

Same-sex marriage supporters aid Mesi in Senate race

State Senate Candidate Brian Foley

"Trunzo, first elected to the Senate in 1972, has been a sponsor of a state Defense of Marriage Act, and has taken no stand on the transgender rights or school bullying bills. Foley, a town supervisor in Brookhaven, has not taken a public position on marriage equality, but sources confirm that ESPA is poised to announce its endorsement and to provide financial support. Tom Hroncich, long active with the Stonewall Democrats of Suffolk County, voiced "disappointment" that in his years in public life Foley never responded to any of that group's candidate questionnaires. A recent Siena College Research Institute poll put Trunzo up 46-40 percent, with 14 percent undecided."    Source-Gay City News October 23, 2008

**Senator Foley voted YES for homosexual marriage in December 2009.

Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver

“I think the vote speaks for itself.”  Source-Downtown Express Volume 20 Issue 6 | June 22 - 28, 2007

Assembly member Joe Lentol

"Joe Lentol, a Brooklyn Democrat, acknowledging that he had come a long way on gay rights in his years in the Assembly, told the chamber that he attended a Catholic university and was steeped in "a tradition [that] might have told me this is the wrong thing." He went on to say, however, "Our lord told me we should love one another and we should treat everybody equally. We should protect each other in this life. What does that mean if we hide behind tradition and use tradition against the very thing our religion taught us?" Source-Gay City News-June 19, 2007

Assembly Member Teresa Sayward

The question [homosexual marriage], she said, "is nothing more than a civil rights issue." "Let us search our hearts tonight," she added. Source-Gay City News-June 19, 2007

Assembly Member Dierdre Scozzafava

"But, after a long talk last week with one gay man back home in Gouverneur, Scozzafava said, she realized, "What might be the easiest thing to do politically [voting against the homosexual marriage bill] is not the right thing."  Source-Gay City News-June 19, 2007

Assemblymember Richard Brodsky

"I believe that that New York will be a better, stronger place when all loving, committed couples - including same-sex couples - have access to legal marriage." Source-Empire Pride Agenda

Assemblymember Ivan C. Lafayette

"I fully support the right of each and every New Yorker to marry whomever they wish. All who know that the qualities of love and family are greater than the fears of prejudice and hate ought to share in that belief. No citizen should be denied the rights guaranteed to his of or her sister or brother."  Source-Empire Pride Agenda

Former Nassau Legislator Dave Mejias

"Mejias says he believes gay marriage should be allowed, noting that he voted for Nassau's domestic partnership measure in the Legislature. "All Americans deserve the same rights," he says. And Mejias says he is pro-choice. King is pro-life." Herald Community Newspapers October 26, 2006. (During his campaign for congress)

Former Assembly Member Alexander B. Pete Grannis

Former State Senator Nick Spano