Governor David Paterson is attempting to succeed where his predecessor couldn't - getting a same-sex marriage bill through the State Legislature.

Paterson unveiled a bill this morning that would give same-sex couples the same legal rights as opposite-sex couples. 

"Marriage equality is about civil rights and personal freedom," Paterson said in a statement.

In framing the issue, Paterson is trying to separate civil marriage from religious marriage. No church or religious figure will be compelled to marry same-sex couples, says a press release issued by Paterson's office.

Marriage equality advocates say same-sex couples are shut out of the legal benefits of marriage - laws that deal with issues like property ownership, health insurance, taxes, and the right to visit a hospitalized partner.

The bill's likely to pass in the Assembly, just as a bill introduced by former Governor Eliot Spitzer did in 2007. It was supported mostly by Democrats, though it got a few Republican votes, too.

The governor and same-sex marriage advocates will have a tougher fight in the State Senate. Democrats hold a slim majority and some members, like Senator Ruben Diaz, oppose same-sex marriage. If any Republicans support such a bill, they haven't said so publicly. The state Conservative Party, which many Republican senators are aligned with, opposes it.

Meanwhile, groups for and against legalizing same-sex marriage have started campaigning.

Something to keep in mind: the ground may soon not be so fertile for the passage of such a bill. Paterson, a Democrat and supporter of same-sex marriage, would obviously sign the bill. That's not a sure thing with another governor - an increasing likely scenario considering Paterson's rock-bottom approval ratings.