Morahan can do to events like Gay Pride Rockland and tell everyone he’s for gay rights, but when push comes to shove, his allegience lies with the conservatives in the Republican Party. Many people, especially some liberal friends of mine, like to believe that Sen. Morahan is a closet liberal. I’ve been told by some of the most progressive people I know in Rockland County that Morahan is some throwback Rockefeller Republican who’s really on our side, fighting for our values. Democratic politicians in the county like Ilan Schoenberger, Alex Gromack, and Christopher St. Lawrence openly support Sen. Morahan. I admit, Morahan has been good with marketing and that “member items” slush fund he uses to insure his incumbency.

But the truth is, he never has been the progressive or “moderate” that Rockland voters thought that he was. In fact, he rarely has ever stood up for anything that didn’t sound like apple pie Americana. It’s a great way to get elected: sponsor no-brainer legislation about children, keep your mouth shut about everything else, smile, and everyone will think you’re just like them.

This vote that will finally expose Morahan’s real values. All those years of kissing babies and giving out obscene checks just before election time are wasted.

Thank you, Sen. Morahan for finally coming out. Now we can make more informed choices at the polls.

The 14th Amendment to the Constitution says: “no state shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.” Since when are gay Americans not American “citizens” or “persons?”

I think the people of the United States are way ahead of their leaders on this issue. Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire, Iowa, Vermont, and Maine have already legalized gay marriage, and it is just a matter of (hopefully not too long a) time before New York and other states see the light – liberty and justice for all, with no exceptions.