Retribution from the Right over Marriage Equality in New York

Apparently that turning-the-other-cheek thing is an alien concept to groups that claim to promote "Christian values." 

Miranda Leitsinger reports for MSNBC:  One year after New York lawmakers voted to make same-sex marriage legal in the state, opponents of gay marriage are pledging to unseat the Republicans whose support was key to the law's passage, saying they want to send a message to other legislators that there are “consequences” to their votes.  The National Organization for Marriage, which opposes gay marriage, says it is funneling $2 million into the state to oust three state senators who voted to support the legislation.  All three, Sens. Roy McDonald, Stephen Saland and Mark Grisanti, are facing primary challenges. A fourth GOP senator, Jim Alesi, already has said he won’t seek a ninth term due to local opposition over his pro-gay marriage stance...  Brian Brown, executive director of NOM, doesn't shy away from the fact his group is hoping to intimidate wavering lawmakers into opposing gay marriage.  “The message is clear, that supporting same-sex marriage is a losing issue, not a winning issue,” Brown told msnbc.com. “You could lose your career over supporting same-sex marriage.”  ("Revenge is ours!" sayeth the homophobes.)  NOM has spent $400,000 on issue ads, billboards, automated calls and direct mail as well as made direct donations through its New York PAC. It is planning to spend another $1.6 million to try to unseat McDonald, Saland and Grisanti as a result of their gay marriage votes.

It's astonishing that NOM can think of no better way to squander its members' cash donations than on what is essentially a strategy of political vengeance.  Of course, what else should we expect from religious cons who believe loving same-sex couples are unworthy of the same rights and protections enjoyed by their heterosexual counterparts.

When Marriage Equality became a reality in the Empire State last summer, Tara Siegel Bernard reported on the New York Times:  While New York had already recognized same-sex marriages performed elsewhere, that recognition didn’t extend to state income taxes. Now, couples who marry and live in New York will be able to file their state tax returns jointly. Wealthier couples may end up paying more in taxes, but families with lower incomes may owe less.  Couples who decide to marry will also be first in line to inherit their spouses’ assets, even in the absence of a will. They’ll gain an array of smaller benefits as well, down to the ability to transfer a lobstering license.  “There are hundreds of different protections and benefits under New York law,” said Susan Sommer, director of constitutional litigation at Lambda Legal, a legal advocacy organization for the gay community.  Of course, there’s still a long list of federal benefits that will remain out of reach. Since the federal Defense of Marriage Act — which defines marriage as between a man and a woman — is still being enforced, gay couples in New York will still need to file separate federal tax returns. They will not be eligible for Social Security spousal or survivor benefits. And they will continue to owe extra income taxes on their spouse’s health insurance benefits — a cost that opposite-sex married couples don’t have to pay.

One wonders if the bigots at NOM, the Family Research Council, American Family Association, NARTH, et al. ever stop hating gays and lesbians long enough to, say, volunteer at a soup kitchen?  No, I suppose two million dollars worth of petty revenge is time and money better spent.  Isn't this what Jesus would do?