Cuomo Launches Robo-Calls For Marriage Equality

Utica, NY (WIBX) - Starting today, New Yorkers will be hearing directly from Governor Andrew Cuomo as he officially launches his marriage equality campaign. Organizers say the robo-calls will go out in regions across the state urging voters to join Cuomo in pushing the measure that aims to make gay marriage legal in the state. Cuomo says it's about basic human rights and fairness.

The robo-calls will ask voters to contact their state representatives and urge them to support the marriage equality bill presumed to come up for debate and possible passage this legislative session. In December 2009, a bill to legalize same sex marriage failed on the Senate floor by a vote of 38 to 24, however, supporters of the measure say they've seen an increase in public support since them.

New Yorkers will be hearing the following message from Cuomo:

Hello, I'm Governor Andrew Cuomo.

There is a pressing issue of basic fairness and civil rights in New York, and that is marriage equality. Without the ability to marry, same-sex couples and their families are denied over one thousand federal and state rights such as visiting a spouse in a hospital in the event of illness.

It makes same-sex couples second tier citizens who receive less protection and have fewer rights than others. This is not a Democratic or Republican issue. It is a question of New York going forward or backward.

It's hard to imagine today, but at one time in this country it was illegal for blacks and whites to marry each other. We have come a long way and now it is time to go further -- to achieve marriage equality for all New Yorkers.

I urge you to call your State legislators and ask them to vote for equality-marriage equality-for all New Yorkers.