Plattsburgh

By Rob Fojtik

We met with Republican Assemblywoman Janet Duprey in Plattsburgh today, who had voted against marriage equality when Gov. Spitzer’s bill was up for a vote. She’s a good friend of Assemblywoman Sayward, and at the time of the vote, she was extremely torn on the issue. After the bill passed the lower house, she was quoted in a local newspaper as being completely for some legal recognition of same-sex relationships, such as civil unions, but said she would need more education on the issue of marriage per se.
Since that vote, she has been called, written to, and visited by many on the side of equality, and it seems she may be more educated if the bill is reintroduced in 2009 (it can still be voted on in the Senate in 2008 before it has to be reintroduced in the Assembly). She cited the American Academy of Pediatrics report on same-sex child rearing, in which the importance of marriage is extolled, as a major influence in her reconsideration of marriage equality. She wouldn’t promise a vote “yes” if there is a next time, but I think it is safe to say she will make a better-informed decision.
After meeting with Ms. Duprey, the Unitarian Universalists of Plattsburgh hosted us for a potluck barbeque and a showing of the documentary “I Can’t Marry You.” There was a pretty good turn out, and plenty of discussion. We left them with some buttons and some literature to pass out to their friends, and with any luck, people will keep this important discussion about equality going.

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