As expected, Gov. Andrew Cuomo has sent the Legislature a bill to legalize same-sex marriage, starting the aging clock ticking. The measure will be live and ready to be voted on three days from now.

A key passage, which could be known as the Ball exclusion, in honor of the Hudson Valley Republican senator who has been pushing for exemptions for religious institutions, is:

“The bill also guarantees that religious institutions and benevolent organizations such as the Knights of Columbus remain free to choose who may use their facilities for marriage ceremonies and celebrations or to whom they provide religious services, consistent with their religious principles.”

In addition, the bill grants equal access to the government-created legal institution of civil marriage while leaving the religious institution of marriage to its own separate and fully autonomous sphere.

Remember that Cuomo said he would only put out a bill if he believed there were sufficient votes in the Senate to pass it. So he must know something we don’t at this point.

Marriage Equality Bill

Share|