Senator Mark Grisanti speaks on same sex marriage bill

June 24, 2011 - Senator Mark Grisanti speaks on same sex marriage bill in Senate Session

[@Sahn2011]

One of the highest forms of humanity is when you put the rights of others above your feelings and opinions.

[@kofender]

Last night, a new stateman emerged in American politics. His name is Mark Grisanti. The intelligence, thoughtfulness, integrity, and eloquence he displayed will be long remembered. My suggestion is that kind of intelligence, integrity, and eloquence is the kind we need in the judiciary. He would make an incredibly good judge. I support him in anything he does next. Bravo, sir, you are an American hero.

[@ennisjackdotcom]

Thank you, Senator. You are a leader and a hero. You made us proud.

[@jazz710]

Congratulations Senator Grisanti. You were a wise man today, and you showed integrity and humanity. Bravo.

[@amirtalai]

an apology from a politician? Holy crap, talk about integrity. This guy rocks.

[@LifterwiII]

THIS is what a super hero looks like!! I was deeply moved by Senator Grisanti's speech last night before the voting results were announced. So glad to see that it has been posted here. We are likely miles apart on many issues .. he a Republican, and myself a Democrat but two things we have in common. We are both Americans committed to liberty and justice for all .. and we are both committed to considering what Jesus would do in this same circumstance. Huge cheers to my hero Mark Grisanti

[@chieficon]

Bravo Senateor Mark Grisanti, Your comments in chamber where on point and well said. Thank you for supporting the bill and you words why supported it.

[@OhShitYgolonac]

Thank you, sir, for having the integrity and strength of character to examine your beliefs and change your position. There aren't very many politicians these days who are willing to do that, I think.

[@LifterwiII]

I've listened to this powerful and eloquent speech a number of times now. You are a HERO, Senator Grisanti!! Thank you for standing for integrity and equality, though I suspect it will cost you votes. I am in San Francisco, and wish very much that I could vote for you. It would be my first time to vote for a Republican :-)

[@firstatheist]

This man is integrity incarnate. He is able to apply reason, despite his personal beliefs, and allow equality in the eyes of the law.

[@Cappucosmic]

This man. This man is definitely deserving of being much more than a senator. He realizes his job isn't to force his beliefs on others. It's to secure the rights of life, liberty, and the persuit of happiness, to all Americans.

[@Allisonts]

As a former WNY'er, bravo to you Mr. Grisanti you made the right choice. You educated yourself on the issues instead of those that are still bigoted and narrow minded. Your political position will still be intact and you will receive more bipartisan support than you knew you ever had.

[@Katherineee829]

Good job Senator Grisanti. Thank you for putting your religious and personal beliefs aside and choosing to serve your voters in a fair and thoughtful way.

[@Whiteboymdew]

Thank you Senator for your vote on this bill. We love you so much. THANK YOU SENATOR!

[@RCSVirginia]

What a great speech by Senator Mark Grisanti! The hate group NOM is trying to defeat Grisanti and the three other Republicans who voted for this bill. There is way to say no to NOM. You can go to Mark Grisanti's Facebook page "Mark Grisanti For Senate" and donate by clicking on "Give Now" on the lefthand side. It is a great way to show support for marriage equality.

[@CoheedMKDS]

the blonde in the top left works in the office next to mine. has a kickin' bod.

[@friendlier]

I watched this guy and thought, here's someone we need in higher office. And just about any political office has more integrity than one in Albany. It wasn't easy doing what he did. I hope he's rewarded for it.

[@Agutrot12]

This is Republican presidential candidate material.

[@madcwk1]

BRAVO Senator Grisanti, thank you so much for looking past your OWN bias and religious upbringing...thank you for being RATIONAL and not just voting on your own "feelings"

[@feriwarlock]

We need more politicians who do the right thing. Now more than ever.

[@arouska]

Its called progress, either get on the bus or get out of the way. Thank you Mark Grisanti.

[@johnburkert]

"But I believe you can be wiser today than yesterday. I believe this state needs to provide equal rights and protections for all its residents" Well said! Huzzah!!!

[@cjm608]

THANK YOU SENATOR GRISANTI!!!!! BRAVO

[@SkiUMah]

Republicans like NY State Senator Grisanti and MN Representative John Kriesel are men that put equal rights above politics. Congratulations on your political courage

[@bliss_street]

Imagine if every politician had the integrity and intelligence of this one.

[@MarketingTheRainbow]

GOOD. FOR. YOU. Thank you Mr. Grisanti!

[@jeshamuffins]

Thank you, Senator. The gay community and its straight allies will not forget this decision!

[@ClaytonKroh]

Thank you, Mr Grisanti! Your vote and your words are much appreciated! You have done a great and wonderful thing.

[@408mmurray]

Thank you senator!!! You are ahead of your time....well done!!!!

[@luvagoo]

Fantastic speech.

[@jalleneohoulihan7741]

11 years ago...hmmm. why now

[@gfwgirls]

Thank you, Senator Grisanti!

[@David20092203]

There's your support Grisanti, the priestess Susan Russell....real Christians like us Catholics think you are bizarrely disturbed.

[@Monrocsol]

@chumpchous1 I am one of them, I am writing him on how proud of him. His speech was the best on the floor. Thank you Senator.

[@jebeja]

If it isn't Biblical research and you were easily swayed by following what society says rather than God then where does it take you in the end? Jesus Christ said that ALL who took up their cross and followed 'Him' and what He stood for would be persecuted (same story different point in time), this is no different. My heart goes out to you because you decided to follow 'man' rather than the God who made us all. Not a judgment issue but a God standard one.

[@minamichel1985]

Finally, God is the only Judge not me or you. God Bless You.

[@RoyalFusilier]

This is what courage looks like.

[@vidhead85]

If I were still in his district I would vote for him!

[@Holtza]

Excellent.

[@iheartsmith]

Would that more of our politicians of any party would show such integrity.

[@samuraiblaze666]

“Humility is the solid foundation of all virtues.” Principles mean nothing if they're wrong. The people I (and should most people) respect are the ones who are willing to question their beliefs and admit they are wrong. This is called critical thinking; it is highly underused in our society.

[@minamichel1985]

@queendido42 Thanks for the reply. But, does this immunity covers religious adoption institutions as I'm a Coptic Orthodox Christian and this is a concern in my Church that the same kind of lawsuits that's happening against other Christian Adoption Agencies will happen with us and that's not clear in the Bill Language. If that's true I wouldn't care about the whole Bill. I Thank you again for your reply. God Bless.

[@RigaFraction]

Finally someone in charge chose reason over religion. Yes the two are mutually exclusive

[@minamichel1985]

@Hope2009pc "It is the duty of all Nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey his will, to be grateful for his benefits, and humbly to implore his protection and favors." George Washington

[@talkstocoyotes]

Sen. Grisanti has more statesmanship in his pinky fingernail than every POTUS candidate in the Republicans' current freak show put together. Too bad we don't have people like him running next year.

[@MartinCole12]

If only more Republicans (and some Democrats) would approach their civic duty in this manner. In 5 minutes he's set out the simple process that all lawmakers should use when casting their votes.

[@revsusanrussell]

As a priest and pastor I deeply appreciate not only your vote but the explanation of your vote that turns this into a profoundly powerful "teachable moment" for those struggling to balance their faith and justice. May they "do the research" you did and come to the same conclusion: that liberty and justice for all really means ALL. God bless! The Reverend Canon Susan Russell All Saints Church, Pasadena CA

[@lskull86]

My respect for him went through the *ceiling* with that speech, it's a difficult thing for *anyone* to take a long, hard look at their views and change them having listened and learned, let alone a politician. The guy did the right thing, no matter how much it pained his background, political career (arguably, in NY overall, it helped it though, but likely not among his constituents), or personal ideology. I think, if I ever see Grisanti in a bar, his drinks will be free on me.

[@everydaywomble]

Do you think he did research?

[@naponroy]

Would that all Senators realize tha they are not elected to simply vote on a whim, but to work and be more knowledgeable than the average citizen, that they should lead not on populism, but on integrity. Congratulations New York, you may have a keeper here. Congratulations Senator, you were elected to lead, and you are.

[@Rexcetera]

Just shows that even a Republican can sometimes tell right from wrong. Amazing.

[@derstrudel2]

@asinkingship she's a reporter.

[@GardenWitchStudio]

@zeppo1908 I agree. I applaud Grisanti for doing the research and understanding that this fight is about more than religion now. I watched a documentary about gay republicans once and a radio interviewer said "no rights are really being denied. A gay man and woman still have the right to marry, so what is really being denied?" The response was "The right to marry someone we love." That stuck with me.

[@hodoprime]

It's pretty simple. Marriage has nothing to do with government whether it be polygomous, interracial, straight, gay, etc.

[@macnak81]

to the chump: actually he gained more than he lost. there are more people with common sense alive in this country than bigots

[@minamichel1985]

"For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: whose end is destruction, whose god is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame; who set their mind on earthly things." Philippians {3:18-19}

[@Wafflehaus]

@No1Rides4Free Is your shift key broken?

[@minamichel1985]

@Hope2009pc "I have now disposed of all my property to my family. There is one thing more I wish I could give them, and that is the Christian religion." Patrick Henry

[@neurodivergentplantdork]

@minamichel1985 and thats why they placed special instructions to protect those religious institutions from being sued!

[@GrrSaysTheMonkey]

I just gained so much respect for this man.

[@mranonam]

The lady texting behind him looks interested as hell.

[@zeppo1908]

I don't think that No1Rides4Free even listened to the speech. It's scary how many ignorant bigots there are in the world.

[@morethanthesky]

the Ron Paul stance is correct

[@JerseyBiscuit]

doing research and making an informed decision before voting on a bill? and you call yourself a politician?! (nice work, Senator. you didn't have my vote at election time, but you just got something better: my respect.)

[@RCSVirginia]

Senator Mark Grisanti won re-election to the New York Senate on 6 November 2012, despite all the efforts of hate groups such NOM and the Family Research Council to defeat him. So, an important and crucial straight ally of the gay community has kept his New York Senate seat.

[@annabagarozzi1570]

I agree 100 %

[@jmeteora63]

go NY!

[@rowlingfan116]

Fully and wholeheartedly agree. But NY, Senator is spelled with only *one* "e"

[@queendido42]

@minamichel1985 Yes, religious adoption institutions do not have to cater to gay couples; only secular ones do.

[@antonscottgoustin]

@LoveHolsters You are right, this country is in financial ruin, thanks to eight years of reckless deficit spending by the Bush-Cheney adminstration (including the re-authorization of US Treasury Long Bonds in 2006 to finance the "Surge" in Iraq). The country is in financial ruin not just because of Federal government deficits, but because of the complete breakdown of oversight of financial markets on Wall Street. The solution to this loss of oversight is in Professor Elizabeth Warren at CFPB.

[@allieoop7]

@ chumpchous: he may have lost some supporters, but i think he gained many. hopefully, over time, those whose vote he lost will come to realize the intelligence and integrity of what he has said and done.

[@FrostdPoptart]

@chumpchous1 He probably hasn't lost as many as you would think based on what the Siena poll showed. What we need to do is see to it that the Conservative Party doesn't get their way and that Senator Grisanti not only defeats any primary challenger, but also gets re-elected. The rest of the country NEEDS to see that Republicans that support gay marriage are still electable so that politicians will realize this isn't a Right vs Left issue. This is purely a Right vs Wrong issue.

[@minamichel1985]

@Hope2009pc "The Bible is the rock on which our Republic rests." Andrew Jackson

[@minamichel1985]

@Hope2009pc "The Bible is worth all the other books which have ever been printed." Patrick Henry

[@FrostdPoptart]

@62wyo Feed the poor? Give shelter to the homeless? No way! We've got hearts to break and lives to ruin!

[@queendido42]

@minamichel1985 You obviously haven't been paying attention to this at all. They instituted protections so that religious institutions don't have to perform or recognize gay marriages. They are purely secular.

[@minamichel1985]

@Kuth70 actually no as those cases didn't redefine a universal concept like marriage and I never said that you don't have the right to be gay. I said that you don't have the right to impose your belief on me.

[@allieoop7]

@lordhugorune couldnt have said it better! he's a gem in the american political system

[@MrQwerty0]

Integrity... IN MY AMERICAN POLITICS?

[@minamichel1985]

@PaulinaPaulino Finally, I don't care if you wanna be gay that's your right to do what you want, but I have a problem with gay people trying to force religious institutions to acknowledge their marriage and if religious institutions didn't agree, gays sue them. That's a clear violation of the 1st amendment that the Government has no right to force any rules over religious institutions as it contradicts with the separation of Church and State.

[@NMosc89]

Probably not right to put this on an incredible video about gay marriage...but that reporter with the glasses behind the senator is fricking beautiful.

[@minamichel1985]

@PaulinaPaulino I don't have a problem with them having the 1300+ rights, but I have a problem with the usage of the term marriage and that what my gay friends know about my opinion, you can give them those rights under Civil Unions.

[@octopibingo]

I think he speaks for a lot of supporters. Ten years ago he didn't think anything of it. Five years ago, two years ago, two months ago he still couldn't care less. What changed? It became the cause celebre, the bandwagon issue to jump on and support if you wanted good press, 'cause god knows the press is pushing this issue. So now he expects respect, because he's left any sense of morality to gain favor in the press? Just like YouBoopers...you don't care about issues until you're told to.

[@minamichel1985]

@Hope2009pc you still didn't answer my question. Why those great brilliant people who founded your country believed in Christ.

[@hocuspocusfocusable]

Personally, I have no desire to pursue a "same sex marriage" although I exist in such a relationship...No desire whatsoever to be in a traditional covenant, living an unconventional lifestyle. I do, however, feel that a Civil Union, or similar observance of the relationship I'm in is necessary, to secure similar, if not the same considerations that conventional marriages have benefit of. At one time, people of 'mixed sexes' were revered...till ignorance shadowed that domain. Fools all.

[@minamichel1985]

@Hope2009pc I don't see a reply yet. PS: "acknowledge".

[@minamichel1985]

An atheist is a person who is afraid of God to the extent of denying God's existence.

[@Kuth70]

@minamichel1985 I personally don't care one ounce about religious organizations. Im fine with them keeping their little discrimination clubs to themselves. And this latest bill in NY follows that line of thinking too. It specifically had provisions to protect religions and their affiliates. So what's your problem other than homophobia?

[@PaulinaPaulino]

@minamichel1985How can one be afraid of something that is not there? Unless you have some evidence to show me.....

[@spurned]

@littlenanita Thank you. Somebody else that does their homework.

[@minamichel1985]

@Kuth70 and with all do respect, you don't have the right to force religious organizations to acknowledge gay marriage as that's a violation of the 1st amendment.

[@minamichel1985]

@TheManray05 I told you before, I never hate anyone including you as hatred is a negative thing that destroy people's life and even I don't agree with your point of view. I swear to God I respect your point of view that gay people have the right to get married. Finally, I love all people as that's what I learned from Christ and I never said that gay people are bad, they are good people who work and benefit the society like anyone else and I never judged them as I myself commit sins.

[@minamichel1985]

@Hope2009pc and by the way the majority of the founding fathers were Christians.

[@Johndubbya69]

Traitor

[@lehks]

@redlegagent Irrelevant in this case, since this was a vote of conscience

[@afhdfh]

Still don't agree on the exemtions. They're stupid and unnecessary. Can anybody deny a black couple to marry in their church? Or a couple with green eyes? I DON'T THINK SO!

[@Pirateguybrush]

@Mccode3996 - They do in New York. Deal with it.

[@minamichel1985]

@TheManray05 First of all thanks for the insult. Second, to express your belief doesn't have anything with love or hate, in addition to that I never hated homosexuals, I was just afraid that there will lawsuits issued against religious institutions to acknowledge gay marriage like what happened in other states and if you want to talk about hate go look up the punishment of homosexuality under Islamic Law as I lived in Egypt for 22 years.

[@minamichel1985]

@Hope2009pc "It is impossible to rightly govern the world without God and the Bible." George Washington

[@senshi85]

@lskull86 i know... his words almost made me cry to think that someone that could be that smart in open minded in politics just.... it gave me hope. Not everyone in politics are idiots and that some people can see past their own blind beliefs and do whats right.