Allow gay marriage

Gov. Andrew Cuomo has pledged to make marriage equality a reality in New York by June of this year. The governor, who has an incredibly high approval rating around 63 percent, is correct. Why?

First of all, a Siena poll shows that his beliefs on this issue matches the rest of New York. Sixty percent of New Yorkers believe gay couples should get legally married in this state. That is an incredible rise from the 37 percent in 2004 when Quinnipiac did a poll. It is also an issue that Republicans and Democrats can agree on.

Laura Bush, Dick Cheney, Megan McCain (John McCain's daughter), and numerous other high-ranking Republicans agree that same-sex couples should have legal equality on the issue of marriage. Divorce rates won't go up just like they have not in Massachusetts, the first state to legalize same-sex marriage.

Gay couples are scientifically proven to be just as capable parents, and judges from California to Massachusetts have ruled that it is unconstitutional for gays not to marry. Look at young Northern New Yorkers: most of us who are under 30 agree and we are the future. Let us move forward and stop delaying. Tell Sen. Pattie Richie it's time for "liberty and justice for all" to be realized.

Christopher Jenne

Gouverneur