"I understand the trepidation and anxiety that people are feeling right now. And I understand that there is always a risk in any action that you take. But what we really have to come out of this gathering today understanding is that rights should not be stifled by fear, what we should understand is that silence should not be a response to injustice, and if we take no action we will surely loose...maybe we've already lost.
There is no gain without struggle. And there is no corner of this country or region of the world that timelessly has not been struggling to bring freedom to those who have never received it. And therefore we struggle for that freedom for all people even still in The United States of America and I am willing to lead that struggle for marriage equality in New York."
-an excerpt from Gov. David Patterson's speech introducing legislation to legalize marriage equality in New York.
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