What You Should Know
By Councilman Rev. Ruben Diaz
District 18 County Bronx, New York
You
should know that Governor Cuomo is facing a democratic primary from a
member of the LGBTQ community by the name of Cynthia Nixon, an actress
and a well-known community activist.
It
is important for you to know that Cynthia Nixon and many other members
of the LGBTQ community in New York State are married to another member
of the same sex thanks to Governor Cuomo and Senator Thomas “Tom”
Duane.
If
there is same sex marriage in New York State, it’s owed to the direct
intervention of that duo – Governor Cuomo and Senator Tom Duane. Believe
me, I know, I was there and I was the only Democrat in NY Senate that
for four years, because of my religious belief, I voted against same sex
marriage.
The
Senate needed 32 votes to pass the legislation and we were only 32
Democrats. Governor Cuomo and Senator Tom Duane worked day and night
to convince every single Democrat in the NYS Senate to vote for same
sex marriage. They did convince everyone else, but me.
You
should know that Governor Cuomo went out of his way to sway 4
Republican Senators – Senators Stephen M. Saland, Jim Alesi, Mark
Grisanti
and Roy J. McDonald - to vote in favor of same sex marriage. How did he
do it? What did he promise them? What were the negotiations? Who knows?
But, the fact of the matter is Governor Cuomo and Senator Duane
achieved the task of having same sex marriage approved
in New York State.
Now,
a member of the LGBTQ community and other leaders of the community are
going all the way out to kick Governor Cuomo out of the Governorship.
After what he did, this is what he is getting in return? It is
mind-boggling.
I
could understand them getting angry at me, spending their money trying
to get me out and shooting all kind of political diatribes against
me. Because as a pastor and minister, I was the one opposing gay
marriage. But attacking Governor Cuomo and going after him? I don’t
understand that.
It
is us, the religious community that should be angry at Governor Cuomo,
but we are not! Gay marriage is already a law; we have learned to
live with it and to respect it, even though we disagree with it.
I am Councilman Rev Ruben Diaz, Sr. and this is what you should know.
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