Governor introduces gay marriage bill

ALBANY, N.Y. (WIVB) - Gov. David Paterson is proposing a bill to legalize same-sex marriages in New York. The same bill failed in the State Senate two years ago, but Democrats hold the majority now.

Surrounded by supporters, Governor David Paterson announces controversial legislation he's pushing in Albany. "I'm introducing a bill to bring marriage equality to the state of New York."

Gay marriage is a hot button topic. New York could become the fifth and highest profile state allowing same sex marriages. The Governor calls it a civil rights issue. "For too long we have allowed the perception that gay and lesbian New Yorkers have the same privileges as their own straight brothers and sisters or mothers and fathers. That is not the case."

This isn't the first time New York state has flirted with legalizing gay marriage. In 2007, a gay marriage bill passed in the Assembly but failed in the Senate which was controlled by Republicans.

Assemblyman Danny O'Donnell said, "This is out in the open for all of us to hear." One of the lawmakers backing the legislation is an openly gay assemblyman from down state.

"I do not want a pew in your church. I do not want a seat in your synagogue. What I want is a piece of paper that is issued by my government that many of you have had, some of you have had two or three times," said O'Donnell. "And some day soon, after 28 years of being engaged, I'm going to be allowed to get married."