Pressure Mounts on McCoy to sign Clenahan’s County Marriage Equality Proclamation

As same-sex marriage is debated at the New York State Capitol, several county legislators in Albany have come together to support marriage equality.

One notable exception from supporting the proclamation has been current Legislature Chairman and candidate for Albany County Executive, Daniel P. McCoy.

“The Robert F. Kennedy Democratic Club will continually stand up for the equality of all citizens and will continue to call on our elected officials to do the same. Doing the right thing and doing the political thing don’t always go hand in hand. We call on Dan McCoy and all our county legislators to get on board with this proclamation — now, rather than later,” said Maureen O’Brien, co-chair of the Robert F. Kennedy Democratic Club in Albany.

In addition to O’Brien, other members of the Albany community have urged McCoy – via his campaign Facebook page – to sign the proclamation.

County Legislator Bryan Clenahan (D-Guilderland), along with Christopher T. Higgins (D-Albany) and Timothy Nichols (D-Colonie), presented the proclamation to Nora Yates, the executive director of the Pride Center of the Capital Region, at the Capital Pride Parade and Festival two weeks ago.

“Marriage is a Constitutionally-protected fundamental right,” Clenahan said. “There is no equality or justice in any state in which some people are denied a fundamental right that others enjoy every day. Gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender New Yorkers pay the same taxes and follow the same laws as everyone; they should be entitled to all the same rights as well. The time is now to achieve marriage equality for all New Yorkers.”

“I fully support the call for marriage equality and hope the State Legislature passes it,” Higgins said. “Marriage equality is about civil rights and basic fairness for all New Yorkers,” Nichols stated.

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