Yesterday, the New York State Assembly did something momentous. It passed the Marriage Equality Act, a piece of legislation which will grant same-sex couples the right to legally wed. If, that is, it’s also approved by the New York Senate and Governor Cuomo. The latter is practically a given since our esteemed gov has been pushing for it as part of his legislative agenda. (Remember that whole “People First” dog and pony show?)

New York isn’t the first state to consider this issue, of course. It’s already legal for same-sex couples to marry in Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont and, incredibly, Iowa. California has gone both ways on it, and the controversial matter is currently working its way through the judicial system.

I fall firmly in Cuomo’s corner on this debate. I’m all for same-sex marriage. If you looked at my voter registration card, you might find that surprising. I belong to the party which has been firmly on the anti-side of this debate.

I say pshaw to those who see this as a moral issue. I think most of us are past that by now. And what we’re talking about is a legal definition. The rights, benefits and protections awarded to a couple who has joined together. We’re not talking about what is or isn’t right in the eyes of God, the Church or whatever religious belief system to which you personally subscribe.