NYS Senator Ruth Hassell-Thompson speaks on the Marriage Equality Bill

NYS Senator Ruth Hassell-Thompson Speaks on the Marriage Equality Bill on the Floor of the NYS Senate Chamber. Dec. 2, 2009

[@Ccd277]

I just want to say you have a huge fan in Harrisburg, PA. I was initially depressed after seeing the marriage equality bill defeated. Your speech and so many of your collegues who supported the bill have made me feel strength. Thanks for what you do. Your words have power all across the world today!

[@Linda0557]

I saw this today on a live feed. I was in tears by the time she was through. We need more brave and compassionate people like this.

[@DanielKaderjak]

One of the most encouraging speeches I have ever heard... thank you from Europe

[@PeppaLabeija]

Applause for Sen. Ruth Hassell-Thompson. She got to meat of the issue and was a true leader with this speech. Beautiful.

[@aaround]

Thank you very much Senator Hassell-Thompson. You make us proud. You made the deference. God bless you.

[@xcstacy2]

What a powerful speech, she is a strong speaker, I applaud her and envy her ability to articulate so well.

[@xRapplex]

Beautiful! This was an inspiring speech, I must say! I am very pleased with her decision and the reasoning why she chose it... :)

[@informatist]

All I can do is shake my head and then turn my head upward and thank God that at least there a few people like Senator Ruth Hassell-Thompson in this world... It seems that common sense is all but common today... we can only hope that it's contagious.

[@Klapcina]

Kudos to senator Hassell-Thompson for this great speech!

[@abbybelladance]

Wow. Excellent speech!

[@b4k4chan]

I'm very pleased to see a lot of very sensible reactions to this. Coming from the first country to legalise gay marriage (The Netherlands) makes me very proud, and I hope you all can be as proud of your own country as well, and soon, about this matter. Although it does saddens me that we still have to have these discussions in 2009(!).... 2000 years after we first heard on record that love should be given to all, not just the people with who we agree.

[@brad72287]

Today I am disgusted to be a New Yorker.

[@Hdtexan]

What a brave and courageous woman.

[@INXSrocker]

May I say, you are my hero. :)

[@bungbung13131]

bravo ma'am... i can't believe some people in this world are still opposed to gary marriage being legalized. it sucks that ny voted no

[@WillSubscribe4Food]

there is such a straaange thing like the value of marriage and there is no such thing as a valuable loveless marriage and because of shows like you mentioned, the people forget about the value you cant have a loveless marriage if you take time to know a person, love is not a roller-coaster of emotions "hes pretty sweet today" "oh i hate him" love takes time and if your too busy for it, or you think it just "happens" then your not the kind of person who knows what a valuable marriage is.

[@JDavis1982]

If the idea bothers you so much then perhaps you shouldn't think about two same sex people HAVING sex. Marriage equality and love have little to do with sex and so much more to do with equal rights and the protection of civil liberties. So that people, regardless of their gender/beliefs/sexual orientation/race/or otherwise, have the right to be protected by the law that governs us.

[@mrjiveyjr]

Change can be good, but sanctioning perverse behavior isn't. Gay marriage lessens the value of marriage. it's a lifestyle choice that has a negative affect on society, it should be tolerated not embraced and celebrated.

[@Fendertastic]

Act irresponsibly? It's KZbin pal, not a senate meeting.

[@SolenmSerpent]

Probably; there are a lot of ignorant people in the world---so what? Its is not a decision for you to make; if you don't agree with it, act like an adult and keep harsh, prejudiced words to yourself.

[@mrjiveyjr]

i will state my case, and I don't care about silly TV shows, that has nothting to do with the sanctity of marriage. Your vulgar language is objectionable and proves my point about how gay marriage proponents act irresponsibly.

[@mrjiveyjr]

No, it makes sense to sanction something that does not need to be sanctioned. If gay people want to do what they want behind closed doors, fine. But what goes on in city hall and the statehouse is my business, I do not want the government to sanction something that should not take place. Mommies marry daddies, not mommies and mommies and daddies and daddies. It's not that hard to grasp.