— —
Republican and Conservative leaders may be furious with him, but state Sen. Mark Grisanti is a hero to the state's gay and lesbian community for his historic vote that made same-sex marriage legal in New York state.
He's a hero to us, too.
It took courage and independence for the Republican lawmaker to cast one of the two GOP votes that put the legislation over the top.
He voted his conscience, but may have committed political suicide in doing so. He stands to lose the Conservative endorsement next time he runs, and his GOP compadres are irked, too.
Too bad, he said through his vote: What matters more is human rights.
Personal belief, perhaps, and certainly political considerations aside, Grisanti came to the view that gays deserve the same rights as straight couples — to marry the person they love, to share in the same legal rights and to derive the same economic benefits as other married people.
Grisanti is in the majority in that decision, now, and unapologetic to those who expected a different outcome, based on his prior stated views.
Researching and studying an issue, changing your mind and voting your conscience based on that new knowledge.
You've gotta like that.
Unless you don't like human rights, the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence.
Opinion
June 29, 2011
Grisanti showed courage, conscience
- Opinion
-
-
Fitzgerald's 'Gatsby' a ceaseless classic
- OUR VIEW: Local school budgets deserve passage In each of the three districts encompassing the Tonawandas, we urge voters to give the plans a stamp of approval.
-
TUCKER: Small stores win for customer service
Stops at a large local hardware store and a "big box" store found no customer service people to ask, much less help in my quest.
- ADAMCZYK: The rewards of the modern age Ever been overwhelmed? Of course you have. Not all of us have the luxury of pondering the nature of time, but that's what I was up to the other day when I should have been doing something else.
- OUR VIEW: Justice Dept. snooping an affront to free press Distrust of government secrecy has been elevated to an exceptional level with the disclosure the Justice Department covertly examined two months of Associated Press phone records to determine who leaked details to the AP about a foiled terrorist plot.
-
Boldly going, yet again
-
DUVALL: Passing on 'pass the salt'
Though I agree obesity is a serious problem in America, I share most Americans' indignation when a politician thinks its his job to tell me what to eat and drink.
-
U.S. slow to address honey bee deaths
- Women's Equality Agenda long overdue
-
Question asked and answered
- More Opinion Headlines
-
Looking for Love? Take the Prague Metro
Crews Race to Find Survivors of Okla. Twister
First Person: Baby Falcons on a New York Bridge
Oklahoma: Images of Devastation, Reunion
Reunited Dad, Son: 'We Just Praise God'
Slow Pokes: Acupuncture Helps Sick Turtles
Moore, Okla. City of Reunions, Tears After Storm
Former IRS Chief: Can't Say How List Happened
Gov. Fallin: Okla. Facing Horrific Disaster
Tim Cook Defends Apple's Tax Accounting
AP Photograher: 'It Was a Miracle' They Got Out
Raw: Crews Search for Survivors of Okla. Tornado
Raw: Tearful Reunion After Okla. Tornado
OKC Hospital Describes Treating Tornado Wounded
Obama Pledges Urgent Aid for Tornado Victims
Raw: Massive Funnel Clouds in Oklahoma
