Joseph Bruno, Former NY GOP Leader, Now Supports Gay Marriage

(The Associated Press - NEW YORK) Former State Senate Majority Leader Joseph Bruno said he now supports legalizing same-sex marriage, a change of heart that could influence Albany lawmakers.

The 80-year-old, who retired last year as the state's most powerful Republican, said he now sees the issue as a civil right.

"As a Republican, I believe in personal freedom," Bruno said in a written statement. He said support of the measure by Democratic Gov. David A. Paterson, a friend and longtime collegial adversary in the Senate, helped him change his mind. Two years ago, Bruno blocked a version of the bill that the Democrat-led Assembly had passed.

"I opposed same sex marriage largely because the overwhelming majority of my caucus opposed it," Bruno stated. "However, that view really does conflict with the rights that are afforded all of us."

Comments

[MikeDu]

This is what happen when hysterical zealots go all "chicken little" on every subject they touch.
If you cry "The sky is falling" too often people will eventually stop believing you. Gay marriage did not, in fact, cause the sky to fall. Many of the people who at first got so worked up must feel a bit ashamed

[Dean Morris]

i fear this will move religious leaders on both sides not a whit.

[tropos]

That must have taken a lot of courage for Mr. Bruno AFTER he has retired and can no longer influence policy. Now we must applaud him and erase memories of all those years when he blocked progress.
A true leader leads when the going is tough, not when it is politically convenient for him to do so. (And this applies equally to the Dems in NY, the White House, the Dems in Congress too).

[GayGrandpa]

I have little faith in the Republicans to get this right! They don't care about what is right they care about power and getting elected. If they want to impress and win votes among gays then they must act - talk from retired personnel means nothing, not little but nothing! Action is where it is at - show me that.

[Lynn Brown]

Anyone else notice how you never hear a liberal who confronts their own mortality say they wish they has been more conservative? Its always the other way around.

[Dean Morris]

reagan was a democrat, but i get your point.

[tbone99]

oh yeah - how is it Repugs always see the light WHEN ITS TOO LATE?

[CTDem]

That was really brave of a retired politician to come out and support equal rights for everyone . . . oh wait, you say that it isn't brave afterall. Oh, okay, nevermind then.

[joemondo]

Maybe Mr Bruno finds the idea of going down in history as a bigot unappealling, now that he understands where things are headed.

[SUIGENEROUSLA]

Well, that's progress, and I for one welcome it.

[SamX]

It is progress suigenerousla! Whenever a Bob Barr or a Dick Cheney or a state legislature or any other conservative expresses support for gay marriage or gay rights it means they are listening to the arguments. It means they are voicing their positive views to a conservative audience.

In no way can this be viewed as a negative.

[steamboat]

Whose Joseph Bruno (in the big picture of things)? ......Hey, whats Barack Obama's position?

[SUIGENEROUSLA]

Obama's position is "wait till I get reelected".

[bma83]

I hate to admit it, but I think you're right.

[tropos]

No that's not his position. Its more like, "I don't need you guys anymore, will get re-elected with or without you, so go back to the closet and stay there".

[blukazoo]

Exactly. Unfortunately for everyone, this administration is most interested in re-election and the beginning of a permanent democratic majority. Everything they do will be with the idea of not offending too many people so they can win re-election in the next several cycles. Of course, that means they will not be very effective for our causes...hugely disheartening, but true.

[jsgaetano]

"I opposed same sex marriage largely because the overwhelming majority of my caucus opposed it."

Yep, those firm Conservative values of "I believe whatever everyone else believes".

[dcswampfox]

I've always thought that one day in the future, even G W Bush himself will one day be an advocate for Gay marriage. Of course it will be when doing so will not take a whole lot of courage to do so, but still.

[JDJase]

I'll believe him when I see him march in the NYC pride parade

[chaya]

I'm so tired of politicians deciding they support gay marriage AFTER they leave office. How cowardly is that?

[Bude]

Corinthian leather?

[vesaversa1]

Bruno have seen the light but is years to late .I wouldn't trust these old republican gaurds i think it's a trick to get votes for th republicans in NY.

[Sylmason]

They've all finally come out. Bless you children.

[JohnJames]

Wonder where they could have learned that trick from? The Democrats maybe?