First and Goal, on the One

‎"Only second-class states have second-class citizens." 

-Assemblyman Charles Lavine-NY AD 13

The last few days have just been a massive roller coaster for we truth and justice folk here in New York. After all these years of hard work , ( and I am in no way claiming to be a part of this, I am very much un-named man in crowd when the credits roll , but we know people who work diligently for the cause.) after all this time we are ONE SENATE VOTE AWAY from full on marriage equality in the third largest state in the Union. ( with #1 right on our heels ).

This is hard. The news comes in Chinese water torture drips. First the few wayward Democrats came on board, meaning every single Democrat except the one right wing religious zealot from the Bronx, will vote for marriage equality. Then in sort of an out of the blue moment, MY SENATOR, Jim Alesi, the one we have talked about many times here on the blog, comes out.... and says he is a yes! Followed yesterday or Tuesday ( time is running together ) by GOP Senator Roy McDonald from the Albany area... leaving us ONE vote shy of victory.

So , it is pins and needles time here in Mendon. You feel empowered and helpless at the same time. 2011, news and rumor travel at the speed of thought and this morning, there has been nothing so far. The bill passed the New York House last night for the FORTH time.. with the usual grandstanding on both sides. Mr Danny O'Donnell leading the battle, again. ( We ♥ Danny...). Today Mayor Bloomburg has gone to Albany to fight for the cause..... But the forces against us are strong. Where are we are fighting a local battle , the people that want New York to be a Theocracy are national and coming at us with big guns. 


So, we wait, champagne and fireworks at the ready, but also with the resolve that even if we get this close and do not go over, that we are not going anywhere, and will be back to fight , another year, if we have too....but Please God, let this be the year we get to stop.