NY gay marriage opponents get nat’l funding

Opponents of gay marriage in New York got national funding Tuesday as lobbyists, clergy, Gov. Andrew Cuomo and legislators head for a six-week legalization showdown with global implications.

The $1.5 million pledged by the Washington-based National Organization for Marriage comes with the organization's expertise after recent success against same-sex marriage bills in Maryland, Rhode Island and in a New York congressional primary.

That portends a huge fight against gay rights groups and the $1 million they pledge for the effort led by Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo, using the considerable organizational skill of some of his top deputies. Supporters say New York, as the world's media capital, is a key objective for the legislative session that ends in late June.

"It's become quite clear in recent days in New York that Gov. Cuomo and same-sex marriage advocates are targeting a select number of Democrat state senators, as well as some Republicans, in their desperate attempt to coerce legislators to support their agenda," said Brian Brown, president of the National Organization for Marriage.

Brown said "those courageous" legislators will have a stronger supporter.

The group takes credit for derailing a gay marriage bill in Maryland, which was sent back to committee in March, and blocking a bill in Rhode Island this year.

"We expect the same to happen in New York," Brown said.

In Albany, the New York State Council Knights of Columbus opposed same-sex marriage as part of its annual prayer rally. New York Archbishop Timothy Dolan made his case in recent weeks through CBS' "60 Minutes" and The New York Times.

Cuomo, riding high in the polls, said Tuesday in Syracuse that the Legislature needs to legalize same-sex marriage by the end of the legislative session in June, or voters will hold them accountable.

"I believe it is a fundamental civil rights battle," Cuomo said in his statewide tour to pressure lawmakers on his policy goals. He added that committed gay couples should not be "second-tier citizens."

Back in Albany, the Independent Democratic Conference of four swing votes in the Senate released a report detailing what they believe would be the economic benefit of legalizing gay marriage. The Democrats estimated 21,000 gay couples would hold weddings and receptions in New York in the first three years after same-sex marriage becomes legal.

"New York state must move out of the era of suppression and into the era of equal rights," said Sen. David Carlucci, a Democrat representing Rockland and Orange counties.

The Senate is the key to passage. In 2009, gay marriage advocates were surprised to lose in the Senate after winning approval in the Assembly. Gay marriage advocates had helped install a Democratic majority in the Senate from 2008-2010 by opposing Republicans against gay marriage.

Republicans regained the majority in 2010. GOP senators say the issue hasn't yet been discussed in conference, but Majority Leader Dean Skelos, who opposes gay marriage, said senators are free from any party-line vote.

The National Organization for Marriage pledged to spend $500,000 for advertising and lobbying in Albany. It also plans to spend $1 million to fund and oppose candidates in the 2012 legislative elections.