Defining the New Marriage Equality Battle Lines: RI, DC, NJ, NY

New Jersey

State Sen. Paul Sarlo says he will not bring up the bill in the Judiciary Committee he chairs unless there are enough votes to pass it along to the whole Senate.

And the Bergen County Democrat said today that there currently are not enough votes.

Gay rights activists are pushing lawmakers to adopt a bill soon. Gov. Jon Corzine says he would sign legislation to allow same-sex unions, however his replacement, Gov.-elect Chris Christie said he would veto such a bill. He takes office Jan. 17.

Rhode Island

Republican Gov. Don Carcieri stridently opposes gay marriage, which remains illegal in Rhode Island, as well as civil unions.

But after meeting privately Thursday with members of a gay rights group, Carcieri emerged from his Statehouse office and told reporters he would consider backing a domestic partnership system similar to an expansion approved earlier this month by voters in Washington state. It offers gay couples the right to use sick leave to care for a domestic partner, and rights related to adoption, child custody and child support [READ MORE]

New York

Senate Democrats are shooting for next Tuesday to take another shot at bringing the gay marriage bill up for a vote following last week’s wheel-spinning session that culminated with Gov. David Paterson’s pledge that the bill would be debated before 2009 ends.

According to NY1, there are now 21 “yes” votes and 22 “no” votes on the marriage bill.

Advocates insist they actually have more support in the Democratic conference – perhaps somewhere in the neighborhood of 25 yeses – since a few lawmakers don’t want to go public with their positions unless they absolutely have to.

Those charged with moving Republican votes tell me they believed three senators were gettable, while three others are in discussions but haven’t committed. But things are still very fluid, and much depends on what the DRP deal looks like (assuming there is one). [READ MORE]

Washington D.C.

(Washington) The Catholic Archdiocese of Washington is threatening to stop providing social services, including management of city homeless shelters, unless lawmakers change a proposal to legalize same-sex marriages.

So far, most city council members have refused to do that.
Catholic Charities has city contracts to provide services to about 68,000 people. The marriage bill would not require churches to perform same-sex weddings, but because Catholic Charities uses city money, the archdiocese fears it would have to offer employee benefits and adoptions to married same-sex couples.

The marriage legislation is expected to pass next month and has the mayor’s support.