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A digest of last week’s prophetic and interpretive thought
“Marriage is a fundamental human right. Same-sex couples should have the same access as others to the protections, responsibilities, rights, obligations, and benefits of civil marriage.”—Marriage Equality Act, introduced by Governor Andrew Cuomo on June 14th
“This is one of the most urgent and important human rights struggles of all times.”—Secretary of State Hillary Clinton
“Last time I consulted an atlas, it is clear we are living in New York, in the United States of America—not in China or North Korea…. There, communiqués from the government can dictate the size of families, who lives and who dies, and what the very definition of ‘family’ and ‘marriage’ means. But, please, not here!”—Timothy Dolan, Archbishop of New York
“I’m tired of Republican-Democrat politics. They can take the job and shove it. I come from a blue-collar background. I’m trying to do the right thing, and that’s where I’m going with this.”—State Senator Roy McDonald, Republican from Saratoga
“This might actually happen.”—Steven M. Cohen, Secretary to the Governor
“New York has finally torn down the barrier that has prevented same-sex couples from exercising the freedom to marry…. With the world watching, the Legislature, by a bipartisan vote, has said that all New Yorkers are equal under the law.”— Governor Andrew Cuomo, in a statement, on Friday, June 24th
“I want to go see every dress I can possibly see. I want to see short ones, long ones, ivory and white ones.”—Christine Quinn, Speaker of the New York City Council
“In light of these disturbing developments and in protest for this decision, I have asked all Catholic schools to refuse any distinction or honors bestowed upon them this year by the governor or any member of the legislature who voted to support this legislation.”—Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio, of the Brooklyn Diocese
“We’d love to have you come here. Stay in a hotel. Buy flowers, clothes, meals or whatever. It’s good for the economy.”—Mayor Michael Bloomberg
“I apologize for those who feel offended. I cannot deny a person, a human being, a taxpayer, a worker, the people of my district and across this state, the State of New York, and those people who make this the great state that it is the same rights that I have with my wife.”—State Senator Mark J. Grisanti, Republican from Buffalo
“I’m glad that people who felt discriminated against have sort of had that burden of discrimination lifted. I signed the first civil-union, domestic partnership bill I think in the country. Maybe it was the second.”—Former Mayor Rudy Giuliani
“As New York goes, so does America.”—U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer
