New York City Mayor
Michael Bloomberg is backing a same-sex marriage bill in the state legislature, in the latest of his many social-engineering moves over his past three terms, and with this one, he’s running up against vocal religious groups, reports HumanEvents.com.
The state senate previously killed a gay marriage bill, but another has surfaced, and Bloomberg is rallying support for it among lawmakers.
“Historic change does not come easily, but this vote was a crucial step that, I believe, will ultimately lead the state to extend full marriage rights to all couples,” Bloomberg said after the defeat of the first bill.
Bloomberg is known as a champion of public health by enforcing his own ideas onto citizens, with his successful initiatives against fat, salt, and smoking. He also has supported abortion rights, stem-cell research, and gun control. For some, this last initiative in his final term has crossed a line.
The mayor’s critics say that he is threatening to yank support from legislators who don’t get behind the gay-marriage bill. “I certainly will concentrate and focus more on those that [vote for the bill],” Human Events quotes him as saying during a recent visit to the state capital of Albany.
City Action Coalition leader Bishop Joseph Mattera has spearheaded a telephone campaign targeting voters in senatorial districts. The group comprises various religious denominations throughout New York City.
Mattera said his efforts have paid off, citing Republican Sen. Andrew Lanza’s recent statement: “Not even for a friend will I vote for something that I don't believe is in the best interests of the people I represent.”
Mattera said Bloomberg was a good choice of mayor after 2001, but that he has veered off course. “In many respects, he’s been a commendable mayor,” he said. “But this attempt to socially engineer and redefine marriage is deplorable.”
The City Action Coalition is planning a rally at City Hall in lower Manhattan for June 14.
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