Let N.Y. Senate vote on gay marriage

New York is at last on the brink of making same-sex marriage the law of the state.

If such a wondrous event occurs, it won't be a moment too soon. But success depends on the statesmanship of Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos of Rockville Centre and the will of his Republican conference to revive the GOP in New York as a viably moderate political force.

The last time gay marriage came up in Albany, Republican senators voted it down in lockstep, along with some Democrats. This time looks to be different. Skelos has said that members should vote their conscience, and we take him at his word. So call the vote.

Now, more than at any time in recent years, Senate Republicans must step forward to uphold their party's grandest traditions by supporting this human rights measure.

The planets seem nearly perfectly aligned for passage. Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo has made a priority of putting New York on the side of justice and common sense by aggressively assembling a coalition for change. The Assembly, run by Democrats, is on board, as are 30 of the 31 necessary senators. But so far only two Republicans, both from upstate, have said publicly they'll vote for the measure. Several others say privately that they would if they were allowed to vote.

Just one more Republican supporter in the Senate is needed to make gay marriage a reality. But surely more than one will feel the tug of conscience strongly enough to act. Now is the time for any such members to live up to the enlightened legacy of party greats like Theodore Roosevelt, Jacob Javits and Louis Lefkowitz by casting an honorable vote.

In doing so they can rescue the state party from the forces of reaction that drive it nationally, and make it a more plausible contender in future elections. Polls show that New Yorkers, like most Americans, now favor marriage equality. They've come to see that no member of society should be barred from forming legally recognized families. And they're sensible enough to realize that extending this right to gay New Yorkers will in no way diminish marriage for others, as has been demonstrated in the five states and the District of Columbia, where gay nuptials are permitted.

Make no mistake: Gay marriage is coming sooner or later, and someday people will wonder why it took so long. Those on the wrong side of this issue will be seen by future generations in much the same light as those who opposed school desegregation or women's suffrage. Republicans brave enough to come around have a chance to secure their reputations and make their grandchildren proud.

One reason for GOP recalcitrance is that Republicans fear losing the Conservative Party line on Election Day. This threat, from party chief Michael R. Long, is only proof that these "cross endorsements" by third parties, often mere patronage mills, are a bad idea. Besides, the Conservatives in this case offer only a primrose path to destruction, for if Republicans remain united against gay marriage they most likely will lose their razor-thin Senate margin in the very next election.

But Skelos is right. The time for politics is past; this is a vote to be cast on conscience, and on that basis, gay marriage can't lose.