Senator Ruben Diaz on Same-Sex Marriage 2

The state of Massachusetts they had same -sex marriages because the Court did it, not the people.

The state of Connecticut, they had same -sex marriages because the Court did it, not the people.

The state of Iowa, they had — they had — had same -sex marriage because the

Court did it. The state of Vermont, they have sanctioned marriage because the legislator did it.

And the state of New Hampshire, they have sanctioned marriage because the legislator did it.

But they're not the people. Let's get some legislation, let's get some people to do it.

So I say, let the people decide. Do it in a resolution.

Let the people decide with it. Ladies and gentlemen, the state of New York, I conclude by saying, if you put this issue before the border in a referendum, the border will reject it.

So they have to raise money to elect legislators and governors that will empower, will do a way, and as I said before, will do as Mayor Bloomberg did, do a way with the will of the people.

So I call on you, ladies and gentlemen, members of this body, members of the

Republican Party, remember your rules, remember your values, remember your stand, family values, traditional values, moral values.

Go back to your defense of the traditional values. Join me, join me, a

Democrat, join me, a Hispanic, join me, a

Puerto Rican, join me, a black, a minority, join me, a

Democrat from the city of New York, in saying no to this legislation.

And let's one day in the future bring it in a referendum to the people of the state.

I thank you, Madam President. I believe this is not easy for you guys.

But my anger, my disappointment, is not with the gay community, it's with my leadership of this body, because they have not been straight with me, they have not been straight with Tom Duane, they have not been straight with people.

And that is when we come to a point when we vote. So this is the day that the

Lord has made. This is the day that we have to decide on something that affects a lot of people and something that is important to people.

Important to me, important to Tom Duane, important to some of you, important to the whole state of New York and to the nation.

God bless you, all of you, and thank you.