Plans to sign an executive order barring discrimination against transgendered government employees have leaked from New York Governor David Paterson’s office, according to the New York Times:

The order, which the governor plans to sign on Wednesday, represents the broadest protections ever extended to transgender public employees in New York State. A number of cities throughout the state, including Buffalo, Albany, Rochester and New York City, already prohibit discrimination on the basis of gender identity or gender expression.

No equivalent state law exists, however, despite repeated efforts by gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender advocates to pass one in the State Legislature.

Several people with direct knowledge of the governor’s executive order spoke of it only on the condition of anonymity, so that they would not be seen as upstaging his announcement.

Some transgender advocates have criticized the narrowness of the measure in light of laws in other states barring discrimination against transgender persons in the public and private sectors.

In a sign that the politics of marriage are changing at breakneck speed, New York Governor David Paterson is said to be attempting to invigorate flagging poll numbers by aggressively pushing for marriage equality for same-sex couples, in this case by putting the issue on the agenda of a special session of the New York legislature.

Governors have come out for marriage equality before – Maine governor John Baldacci recently released a statement urging Maine residents not to veto legislation legalizing it – but these have usually come only when the issue was pressed and a statement was necessary.

Gov. Paterson’s attempt to boost his poll numbers  appears to be working. An April poll demonstrated that even voters who had a low opinion of Paterson supported his aggressive advocacy on behalf of gay marriage. For better or worse, the ploy has even entered the talking points of his political rivals:

“He’s desperate,” Diaz, a Democrat, said Thursday during a meeting of the New York Hispanic Clergy Organization. “I don’t blame him because he’s desperate. He’s trying to bring up his poll numbers.”

New Jersey Gov. Jon Corzine, who’s in a tough fight for re-election, has also adopted marriage equality as key campaign issue.  Even GOP candidates have recently come out in favor of marriage rights for same-sex couples, perhaps in an effort to appeal to moderates.

Historically, of course, marriage has been used as a wedge to divide the electorate, a tactic best represented by the 2004 Republican effort to use statewide ballot initiatives to increase conservative turnout and propel George W. Bush to re-election.  And while backing marriage equality to boost popularity certainly won’t work everywhere, given where public opinion–and political rhetoric–stood just a few years ago, current developments are nothing short of astounding.