Ultimately, New York enacted gay marriage because the issue became personal. Legislators previously opposed to gay marriage and key Republicans previously uninvolved both moved into the “yes” camp out of personal relationships with gay and lesbian family members. Grassroots activism and Governor Andrew Cuomo’s political savvy joined with people’s unwillingness to discriminate against gays and lesbians who they cared about to dramatically turn the political tide.
The same approach could also create a breakthrough on immigration reform. As New York’s victory was being celebrated, journalist Jose Antonio Vargas’ emotional memoir of his life as an undocumented immigrant (“Outlaw”) appeared in the June 26 New York Times Magazine. On the heels of last fall’s march by four undocumented students in support of the DREAM Act, Vargas’ visceral account of the immorality of current U.S. immigration policy could lead to a wave of undocumented immigrants telling their stories; while this risks deportation, such a powerful strategy appears necessary to personalize the issue and broaden support for reform.
There are obvious differences between the struggles for gay marriage and comprehensive immigration reform. The latter requires federal action, benefits primarily non-whites with much lower incomes and political power, and has far greater electoral implications. Further, while the declining political clout of the Catholic Church reduced opposition to gay marriage, this weakening has also reduced the Church’s power to positively impact immigration reform efforts.
Click here for gay marriage resources in New York.
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