As dozens of prominent business leaders plead for New York same-sex marriage in order to advance business and society, Gov. Andrew Cuomo is being accused of orchestrating a consolidated Gay Agenda force in order to enrich his friend.
For background, read NY Gov. Promises Same-sex 'Marriage' and also read Same-sex 'Marriage' Via Purchasing of Politicians
UPDATE 10/1/11: Marriage supporters' ad campaign targets pro-homosexual legislators
UPDATE 7/15/11: Homosexualists reward Cuomo $$ for same-sex "marriage" push
UPDATE 7/15/11: Republicans voting for same-sex "marriage" receive reward donations
-- From "Business moguls pen letter endorsing same sex marriage" by Leigh Remizowski, CNN 4/29/11
A group of top executives released a letter Friday lobbying New York state legislators to legalize same-sex marriage -- a decision they said is not only fair, but also makes good business sense.
The group of moguls -- which includes the CEOs of Goldman Sachs, Con Edison and Thompson Reuters, among 23 others -- argued that not allowing same-sex couples to marry is hurting the state's ability to attract qualified workers.
The letter is not addressed to any one party and is titled, "An open letter from business leaders on the importance of marriage equality." It warns that as other places around the globe legalize same sex marriage, New York will become a less appealing destination for anyone seeking the same "benefits and protections."
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
From "Cuomo focuses on gay marriage but nothing deters a the chase for millions of dollars" by Adam Lisberg, NY Daily News 5/1/11
In the gay marriage battle, Cuomo and his team pushed four organizations to unite this month under one banner and message - and then they hired one of his best friends.
New Yorkers United for Marriage, as the group is called, hired veteran Cuomo adviser Jennifer Cunningham as their strategist, barely six months after she got out of the lobbying business so as to avoid conflicts of interest.
Six days after the groups announced their coordinated push, Cuomo happened to hold a fund-raiser for deep-pocketed gay and lesbian backers.
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
From "In state’s gay-marriage push, the limits to playing nice" by Chris Rovzar, New York Magazine 5/1/11
Governor Cuomo has set his sights on getting same-sex marriage passed by the end of the legislative session in June. And for the first time, four top advocacy groups have united under one banner for a final push. Together they’re signaling: This is it.
. . . The united gay groups say they are soliciting some fifteen senators, and they’re making it personal.
. . . the advocacy groups and the governor have other tools at hand. Cuomo, for example, can offer carrots on hot-button issues like rent regulation and property-tax caps. . . . And then there are the sticks. If marriage passes, the wealthy gay-rights groups can lay off State Senate Republicans, instead of aiming to pick them off one by one, as they’ve been doing—as they did to Padavan, who was bounced last November. They might even support GOP senators who vote their way. In March, the Human Rights Campaign hosted a benefit for Maine’s Susan Collins to reward her for her role in repealing “don’t ask, don’t tell.”
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
From "Gay marriage in need of business support" by Jeremy Smerd and Shane Dixon Kavanaugh, Crain's New York Business 5/1/11
Business groups have shied away from supporting gay marriage, despite its potential economic upside. Instead, advocates are relying on individual business leaders, 25 of whom signed an open letter last week arguing that marriage equality will make the state more attractive to talented workers.
Missing from the letter were the business affiliations of the signatories—which included Goldman Sachs CEO Lloyd Blankfein, developer William Rudin and Ogilvy & Mather Worldwide Chairman Shelly Lazarus.
A 2007 report from the city comptroller's office estimated that allowing same-sex couples to marry would create $184 million in economic activity statewide and add $142 million to the city's economy within three years.
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
From "Business Leaders, in Letter, Will Urge Albany to Legalize Gay Marriage" by Nicholas Confessore, New York Times 4/28/11
The letter’s signers, from the legal, financial and real estate worlds, include Lloyd C. Blankfein, the chief executive of Goldman Sachs; Jerry I. Speyer, chairman of Tishman Speyer Properties; and Paul E. Singer, a prominent hedge fund executive.
“In an age where talent determines the economic winners, great states and cities must demonstrate a commitment to creating an open, healthy and equitable environment in which to live and work,” the letter reads. “As other states, cities and countries across the world extend marriage rights regardless of sexual orientation, it will become increasingly difficult to recruit the best talent if New York cannot offer the same benefits and protection.”
Kathryn S. Wylde, president of the Partnership for New York City, an influential business group, said she hoped the letter would “provide an opportunity for legislators who may not have heard the voice of business to feel that they’ve got some cover to rethink their position on this issue.” Ms. Wylde helped collect signatures for the letter at the urging of Christine C. Quinn, the speaker of the City Council, who has been lobbying the Legislature to approve a bill.
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
UPDATE 2/5/12: Corporations sign on to same-sex marriage (video Goldman Sachs Chief Lloyd C. Blankfein):
