NY Gov. Announces Legislation Legalizing Same-Sex Marriage

Embattled New York Gov. David A. Paterson drew mixed reviews after announcing today that he would introduce a Bill to make same-sex marriage legal in the state. If the legislation goes through, New York will be the 5th state — following Iowa, Vermont, Massachusetts and Connecticut -- to allow same-sex couples to marry.

In his speech Paterson compared the plight of gays and lesbians to that of blacks, Jews, women, disabled people and other groups historically deprived of rights, and urged legislators to act:

We have all known the wrath of discrimination. We have all felt the pain and the insult of hatred. This is why we are all standing here today. We stand to tell the world that we want equality for everyone. We stand to tell the world that we want marriage equality in New York State.

But, while Paterson’s announcement has drawn praise, some gay rights activists are concerned that the bill is a stunt meant to bolster Paterson’s chances of re-election — one that has the potential to backfire. According to Queerty: