James Alesi

Pro-Gay Marriage NY Lawmaker: 'I'm A Republican -- I Was Born That Way'

Jillian Rayfield | June 21, 2011, 3:34PM

State Sen. James Alesi (R-NY)

Though no deal has been reached yet in the fight over the New York marriage equality bill, there's one Republican state Senator who's dropped his poker face.

James Alesi told a crowd in Albany Tuesday that he's supporting the bill, adding: "I'm a Republican -- I was born that way."

Read more »

New York

New York's Marriage Equality Bill Passes The State Assembly

Jillian Rayfield | June 15, 2011, 9:33PM

The New York Assembly passed the state's marriage equality bill Wednesday by a vote of 80-63, paving the way for it to be taken up in the state Senate later this week.

Read more »

Andrew Cuomo

First NY Republican Says He'll Back Marriage Equality Bill

Jillian Rayfield | June 13, 2011, 5:58PM

State Sen. James Alesi (R-NY)

New York State Sen. James Alesi is the first Republican to say he'll back a bill to legalize gay marriage when it's brought up, which likely means the legislation only needs two more votes to pass.

Alesi announced his support after a private meeting with Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D), who says the bill will get a vote in the state Senate before the end of the legislative session next Monday. "This becomes a matter of equality for people, our sons and daughters, (who) deserve the same freedom and the same equality in this great country and in the state of New York that each of every one of us enjoy in our everyday life," Alesi said of his decision, the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle reports.

Read more »