NYS Senator Tom Duane speaks on the Marriage Equality Bill

[zekester2]

Cut Sen. Duane some slack, so he wasn't as Passionate & Eloquent as speakers supporting the Bill. Does this mean our equal rights should be decided by one speaker, even if he was gay. Of course he was emotional, he knew promises made were broken and the Bill was going to be defeated. Nothing he could have said would have changed the outcome.

The bill should have been pulled, as soon as it became known it didn't have the votes to pass, instead of allowing it to be defeated.

[Klapcina]

Tom Duane is a bad politician and awful speaker. Historic laws deserve historic closing speeches. The more I listened to him yesterday, the more I wished the bill not to pass. Unlike with his predecessors.

[deepraine]

It was a bit rambling, but I don't think I would be able to talk about an issue so important and personal without getting that emotional.

[NeevsBroadway]

Nicholas Fehn, anyone? oh my god.

[kaylee3swabb]

I agree with what he says towards the end about being made fun of for being gay and not telling anyone. And I agree with the being out and not saying who you are making it seem like it's something that you don't want to be.

I don't understand why we, gays and lesbians, don't have the right to be married just because we are the same sex. Gay people pay taxes just like straight people. So why can't we get married, just like straight people?!

[nybobny]

Senator Tom Duane just babbled

[tehLis0r]

Hearing his last statement and knowing the outcome absolutely breaks my heart.

[pacloro]

i dont go against gay marriage,but i think its wrong if you people think about it logically its wrong,nature does not aprove of this,ya can put all the negative comments ya want,but just think about it

[nygardon]

No -- it isn't wrong -- YOU are wrong. Wrong to think that this is your decision to make. And if you think gays are wrong then you go against gay marriage. So wrong there too. Oh and learn to spell.

[werthe14]

I have thought about it. Your argument is faulty. We are the only species on the planet that has anything remotely like marriage, which, by the way, was created not because of LOVE but because of LAWS and PROPERTY and MONEY.  Most animals out there don't even mate for life--they mate, have babies, and move on. And homosexuality has been recorded in countless species aside from us (dolphins, monkeys, penguins, for example).

If we left it up to nature, it would have passed by now.

[feyeter]

I'm gay and I have to say this should not have been the last speech. Senator Savino should have closed. We need a strong personality. A clear, sound message like the speech she delivered. Thank you Tom Duane for all that you do but please work on your speaking skills!

[Animateted]

This is why we lost. Inarticulate, too awkward, and uncomfortable to watch. His arguments were there, but not concise and delivered with conviction. It doesn't matter that he's gay. There are a lot of gay people in state senates. But if THIS is how you are going to deliver your final argument... you can expect to lose. Sorry.

[MrsStephDuff]

I completely agree. This is so awkward, I'm shutting it off only 4 minutes in....

Savino's speech was fantastic.  This is awful.

[davidb330]

After hearing senators speak so eloquently in support of gay marriage, I am appalled at the idea that THIS was the last speaker to truly convince the other senators to vote in favor of marriage equality. I am so angry that he made it so personal and hardly had any arguments to support himself. We need better representation in the gay community.

[mj770061824]

I want to thank you ... for letting me be angry.

I want to thank you ... for letting me be upset.

I want to thank you ... for your honesty.

HUH?

I want to thank you ... but I won't. Because I shouldn't need to thank you. This is my natural right as an American citizen.

I want to say FUCK you ... for even thinking that you have any right to vote on my relationship.

And to Senator Duane, I want to say fuck you too, for being such an apologetic sniveling tragic homophobe.

Sadness.

[magic8ball8908]

You're a moron. Did you even listen to what he said? Do you have any idea who he even is? Or are you just unaware of what the word homophobe means? No matter what, you're still an idiot.

[shallowsmile237]

um? you do realize that senator duane is a gay man in a committed relationship right? meaning he's not a homophobe. are you sure you comprehend the meaning of that term?

[Theboomdoctor]

Your an idiot for thinking Duane is a homophobe. Your right on everything else though.

[hhsharvey]

Thank you Senator Duane - your work is appreciated in Arizona

[loywen]

fag.

[gjsullivan135]

He's understandably uncomfortable... this is more than a vote for Senator Tom Duane. I'm sorry we let him down today.

[dito96]

totally agree with u jaz!

[jazwaz112]

is this guy trying to stall out or bore them into submission or something? I appreciate his commitment to gay rights but geez spit it out man