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Newsom, Paterson Headline Prop. 8 Fund-Raiser In New York

San Francisco mayor Gavin Newsom and New York governor David Paterson combined forces for a Manhattan fund-raiser Thursday. Paterson charmed the intimate crowd with his usual candor and Newsom fostered a sense of urgency, saying he had seen polls that put the opposition four points ahead of those who oppose the ban.
An Advocate.com exclusive posted September 26, 2008
Newsom, Paterson Headline Prop. 8 Fund-Raiser In New York

New York Governor David Paterson and San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom tag-teamed a $5,000-per-person fundraiser Thursday night in Manhattan to defeat California’s marriage ban, Proposition 8. Figures for the total dollars raised were not immediately available.

“I just feel in some ways badly,” Gov. Paterson told the intimate gathering of roughly 60 people, “with all the problems that we have right now and our economy reeling at this time, that we have to spend time dealing with this issue -- it actually offends me.”

But Paterson, who became the first governor to say he would recognize California’s same-sex marriages following the state’s Supreme Court ruling, added a good bit of levity to the evening. Recounting the fact that Richard and Mildred Loving -- the plaintiffs in Loving v. Virginia -- were originally arrested for violating the Marriage Integrity Act, Paterson quipped, “I thought 'marriage integrity' spoke to how you behaved after you got married.”

Paterson drew an analogy between gay marriages and common-law marriages from other states -- unions New York has recognized for years. “We recognize the rights that people derive from other states, it’s really that simple,” said the New York governor, who has supported marriage equality for gays and lesbians since 1995. “It’s this little unknown part of the Constitution called the Full Faith and Credit Clause -- it’s so big in the Constitution even I can read it,” he added to applause and cheers. Paterson is legally blind.

While attendees welcomed Paterson’s dry wit, Newsom played the more solemn role of the two, starting with a heartfelt thanks to the governor for his personal support during a time when Mayor Newsom had become a political hot potato.

“In 2004, there wasn’t a politician outside of San Francisco who wanted anything to do with the politicians in San Francisco,” Newsom said, recalling the fallout from his decision to issue same-sex marriage licenses. “It was a big to deal to me, and I mean it sincerely, when then-Lt. Gov. David Paterson showed up to an event in New York and not only showed up, he was willing to take a picture with me -- it was an issue, trust me -- and gave remarkable comments that gave me a sense of optimism about the Democratic Party as much as it did about the issue of equality.”

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Eleveld is political editor of The Advocate.

Reader Comments

These comments are reproduced as written by visitors to this Web site. They have not been edited for content, grammar, or spelling. The viewpoints appearing here are those of the writer, and do not necessarily reflect the opinion or views of advocate.com, The Advocate, or its affiliates.

  • Name: William
    Date posted: 2008-10-01 2:40 PM
    Hometown: San Juan

    Comment:

    Thomas Jefferson and other founding fathers would have felt at home with Gov. David Paterson, Gov. Deval Patrick, and Mayor Gavin Newsom. The greatest gift that the founding fathers gave to the worlk was separating church and state. Religious dogma has no place whatsoever in public policy. We are a secular democracy. We need to have only one class of citizenship, which is United States citizenship, that affords equal rights for all citizens including marriage and adoption equality.


  • Name: Granny
    Date posted: 2008-09-30 5:15 PM
    Hometown: Menifee, CA

    Comment:

    Mason, Banning. You are from Georgia I presume. Marriage is a contract between two people period. Two people. The judge, minister, etc. only serves as a witness to the union. Years ago people just jumped over a broom and got married. Let's do away with marriage completely and give gays and straights alike domestic partnership. How would you like that type of equality?


  • Name: Dan
    Date posted: 2008-09-27 5:54 PM
    Hometown: York

    Comment:

    Why are straights ALWAYS the headliners at gay events? WHY? Gay people are just continuing the oppression we face by doing that. Basically gay people are saying straights are more valuable than gay people which is what the rest of society believes. We will never move forward if that mindset continues. Heterosexuals have been our oppressors for thousands of years. That's a fact. I will not bow to any heterosexual after that long a reign of terror they inflicted on gay people. Too little, too late.


  • Name: Richard
    Date posted: 2008-09-27 5:15 PM
    Hometown: Shepherdstown

    Comment:

    Why do some people think that by giving rights to someone else, it will somehow diminish the rights they already enjoy? Granting gays and lesbians the right to marry will in no way affect "traditional marriage." Can anyone find a legal reason why gays and lesbians cannot marry? Any reason given is based strictly upon the religious beliefs of those who oppose marriage equality. Denying gays and lesbians the right to marry based solely on religious principles is a gross violation of the separation of church and state. And if churches do not wish to perform marriage ceremonies for gays and lesbians - who needs them? A justice of the peace, a judge, or a ship's captain will be good enough, thank you.


  • Name: Mason
    Date posted: 2008-09-27 2:49 PM
    Hometown: Banning

    Comment:

    Prop 8is very important because it protects mariage as it should be, between a man and a woman. It does not atke away therights of gay partners or discriminate against them. It does provide for freedom of religion and the rights of Californians to beleive what they wish. If this proposition is not passed the next step of these people will be to force churchs to marry gay couples or face law suits. This iniative does not challenge domestic partnerships, or any rights that gay people already have as americans. we do not wish ti discriminate but it is important that we protect marriage as between a man and a woman.


  • Name: Doug
    Date posted: 2008-09-27 8:42 AM
    Hometown: massena, ny

    Comment:

    These men have begun to restore my faith in political figures. Not just because of their stance on gay marriage, but the willingness to tackle tough issues without side stepping and shifting. If all our leaders took a stand, regardless of the issue or their belief, our country would be in a much better state. Men of honesty, integrity and the willingness to fight for what they feel is right regardless of how it might affect their pocketbooks.


  • Name: Reader
    Date posted: 2008-09-27 2:16 AM
    Hometown: USA

    Comment:

    Gov. David Paterson, Gov. Deval Patrick, and Mayor Newsom are the politicians of the future. Every time I see them I feel hope for the future.


  • Name: michael
    Date posted: 2008-09-26 11:15 PM
    Hometown: boston

    Comment:

    These two politicians are the politicians of the future. They're politicians that stand up and speak up about what they know is RIGHT, even it it's not popular with the majority. They do so without worrying about the fallout. Bless their hearts!


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