Mayor Scolds Mayor on Gays' Right to Wed
Mayor Scolds Mayor on Gays' Right to Wed
Friday, February 11, 2005
Eric Johnston
Just ahead of the one-year anniversary of his decision to allow same-sex marriages, San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom ripped into New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg over his conflicting stance on marriage equality for lesbians and gays.
"I think if you believe something, you've got to act on it," Newsom said at a press conference on Thursday. "If you don't believe in it, don't act on it. But don't say you believe something and then do everything to stifle that belief."
He was referring to Bloomberg's statement that he personally supported gay marriage, while at the same time promised to challenge a New York judge's decision last week to allow it.
Last Friday, Justice Doris Ling-Cohan ruled that the New York Constitution guarantees the right of each citizen to marry the person of his or her choice, regardless of that person's gender.
The ruling was to take effect in 30 days if New York City officials did not appeal it. Bloomberg announced over the weekend that the Big Apple would appeal.
Currently, Massachusetts is the only state that allows gay and lesbian couples to marry.
Saturday will mark one year since Newsom instructed San Francisco city workers to begin issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples. Nearly 4,000 couples were married before the California Supreme Court ordered a halt, and later nullified the nuptials.
The city of San Francisco and a dozen gay and lesbian couples sued in an effort to overturn the California marriage statute. A lower court ruling in that case could come any day, with the outcome certain to be challenged and ultimately decided by the state Supreme Court.
Several events are planned for Saturday in the city to mark the anniversary.
Newsom's stinging comments about Bloomberg came in response to reporters' questions Thursday. Newsom indicated Bloomberg may be motivated by politics.
Bloomberg, a Republican, is up for re-election in November, but first he faces a GOP primary in which a pro-gay stance could hurt his chances with conservative voters.
"People don't like politicians, and now I know why," said Newsom. He has promised to continue championing the cause of marriage equality.
"We need more champions," he said. "We can't do it alone out here. If you believe in something, act on it, even if your political career ends. At least you can look back and say, 'I tried.'"
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