Gov. Andrew Cuomo at a fundraiser with LGBTQ advocates on Tuesday, said state lawmakers must approve a bill legalizing gestational surrogacy in New York by the end of the legislative session, due to conclude next month.

  • Cuomo wants lawmakers to pass surrogacy bill
  • New York is one of the last states that doesn’t allow the practice
  • Legalizing surrogacy has been opposed by Catholic Church

Cuomo called the measure, supported by LGBTQ groups and sought by couples that have trouble conceiving, as a successor issue to the legalization of same-sex marriage.

“The obvious follow to marriage equality is the ability to have a family and that’s provider surrogacy,” Cuomo said to cheers, according to a recording of his remarks obtained by Capital Tonight.

“If this Legislature leaves this session without passing surrogacy, it will be a disgrace to the progressive tradition of the state of New York. We need them to hear that loud and clear," Cuomo said. "Don’t come back from Albany and tell me how progressive you are if you didn’t pass the surrogacy laws and you should send them right back up to pass it, because their job isn’t done.”

Surrogacy advocates this year have also sought provisions would end requirements for establishment parenthood for lesbian couples.

Legalizing commercial surrogacy has been opposed by the Catholic Church and some women’s advocates have raised concerns with the proposal as well. New York is one of the last states that does not allow the practice.

The low-dollar fundraiser included more than 300 people at a bar in Hell’s Kitchen, with Cuomo supporters that included former City Council Speaker Christine Quinn, former state Sen. Tom Duane, former City Councilman Jimmy Vacca, Gabriel Blau of Equality NY and Melissa Sklarz, a former delegate for Hillary Clinton.

The LGBTQ community has been a pivotal block of voters for Cuomo, who is now in his third term. Cuomo pointed to New York’s track record since the marriage bill, with laws approved this year under full Democratic control of the Legislature: the Gender Expression Non-Discrimination Act, a ban on so-called conversation therapy, bolstering health care for the LGBTQ community and protections for transgender youth.

Cuomo said the state stands in contrast to the rest of the country.