Tweet
Update: Governor Cuomo has already signed the marriage equality bill! The law goes into effect in 30 days.
History was made in Albany, New York late Friday as the Republican-controlled New York state Senate passed the Marriage Equality Act with a bipartisan 33-29 vote. The Assembly already passed the bill several weeks ago with a 80-63 vote, then again early Friday evening passed an amendment required for Senate approval with a 82-48 vote. The bill now goes to Governor Cuomo’s desk for his signature.
With passage of the marriage equality bill, the number of Americans living in a state that has ended marriage discrimination has doubled, according to Freedom to Marry.
The new law will will go into effect 30 days after the Governor’s signature. Gov. Cuomo has reportedly been a driving force in getting this legislation passed, along with New Yorkers United for Marriage, a coalition of the LGBT rights groups Empire State Pride Agenda, the Human Rights Campaign, Freedom to Marry and Marriage Equality New York.
 |
| Huge banner in front of Stonewall Inn, which reads “New York Loves Gay Marriage”. Photo credit: Clarknt67. |
Reactions below the fold.
NOTE FROM PAM: I’m in Tampa, FL for the National Organization for Women conference, and conventioneers were celebrating off-the-hook in tiaras singing “New York, New York” after the news about the vote. I was in the suite of NOW Action Vice President Erin Matson Tweeting the action:
And thanks to barista Scott, who has a celebratory post about the NY marriage win, featuring me (and Kate); but the telling item in the diary is this parody graphic of NOM’s Maggie Gallagher:
Garden State Equality and Lambda Legal issue joint statement on marriage equality in New York and the next step in New Jersey:
Joint statement from Hayley Gorenberg, Deputy Legal Director of Lambda Legal and Steven Goldstein, Chair and CEO of Garden State Equality:
“Today’s victory for marriage equality in New York is another great milestone in the fight for equality for LGBT people. We are thrilled for same-sex couples in New York and we congratulate the New Yorkers United for Marriage coalition for a magnificent campaign.
“We are proud that New York bypassed the lesser option of civil unions, which, as New Jersey knows painfully well, enshrine second-class citizenship for same-sex couples and have failed to provide equality.
“We have more work to do. We believe the victory in New York, and its choice of marriage equality over civil union inequality, set the stage for our continuing fight for marriage for same-sex couples in New York’s sister state just a mile away.
“Soon there will be a major announcement in that regard.”
#
Garden State Equality is New Jersey’s largest civil rights organization, winning 212 LGBT civil rights laws at the state, county and local levels – a national record. The laws include America’s strongest and most inclusive laws to combat discrimination, hate crimes and school bullying, as well as America’s strongest transgender equality law.
Lambda Legal is a national organization committed to achieving full recognition of the civil rights of lesbians, gay men, bisexuals, transgender people and those with HIV through impact litigation, education and public policy work.
Human Rights Campaign:
History in the Making: New York To Become Seventh U.S. Jurisdiction Allowing Gay and Lesbian Couples to Marry
Governor Cuomo’s leadership and unprecedented field campaign push bill over finish line
WASHINGTON – In a history making, bipartisan vote, the New York Senate today passed a widely popular marriage equality bill after the most aggressive state legislative campaign in the history of the LGBT rights movement. With Governor Cuomo’s promised signature of the bill, New York will become the sixth state, plus the District of Columbia, where same-sex couples can legally marry.
“History was made today in New York. This victory sends a message that marriage equality across the country will be a reality very soon,” said Joe Solmonese, president of the Human Rights Campaign.
“Governor Cuomo has shown New York and the nation what leadership looks like,” added Brian Ellner, HRC’s senior strategist in the state. “The bipartisan nature of the vote is compelling proof that marriage equality is increasingly an issue that unites, not divides. Legislators listened to their constituents and did the right thing.”
The successful vote in the Senate comes after a strategic, coordinated and aggressive legislative advocacy effort by LGBT civil rights organizations. Working in close coordination with a tight-knit coalition, HRC’s National Field Director, Marty Rouse, led one of the largest legislative advocacy efforts in New York state history and the largest field campaign ever in support of state gay rights legislation. An unprecedented 30 full-time field organizers were employed by HRC across the state and generated over 150,000 constituent contacts to targeted legislators. To reflect the deep and diverse support for marriage equality, HRC also created “New Yorkers for Marriage Equality,” a video campaign that eventually featured more than 40 iconic New Yorkers ranging from President Bush’s daughter Barbara Bush to Russell Simmons advocating for marriage equality (www.hrc.org/NY4marriage). HRC spent more than $1 million overall on the effort to pass marriage in New York.
“There’s no doubt that this was the most unified marriage effort ever,” said Solmonese. “Today’s victory is made even sweeter by the fact that organizations were able to rally around a common goal, work hard and deliver a huge win for civil and human rights.”
HRC was a founding member of New Yorkers United for Marriage. Coalition partners include HRC, Empire State Pride Agenda, Freedom to Marry, Marriage Equality New York, and Log Cabin Republicans. The coalition raised $2 million that it used to advocate for marriage equality.
In the past year, a number of national polls (Washington Post/ABC News, Gallup, and CNN) have shown, for the first time that a majority of the country supports marriage equality. Support for same-sex marriage has increased by 19 percentage points since 1996, according to the Pew Research Center.
For maps of marriage and relationship recognition laws in the states, please visit: www.HRC.org/State_Laws.
The Human Rights Campaign is America¹s largest civil rights organization working to achieve lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender equality. By inspiring and engaging all Americans, HRC strives to end discrimination against LGBT citizens and realize a nation that achieves fundamental fairness and equality for all.
New Yorkers United for Marriage:
Statement from New Yorkers United for Marriage On Passage of Historic Marriage Equality Bill
“Just now, the New York State Senate made history by voting to make marriage equality the law of the Empire State. Heeding the call of a majority of New Yorkers and the voices of a broad coalition of LGBT advocates, business, religious and labor leaders, tonight a bipartisan group of State Senators voted to allow all New Yorkers the freedom to marry the person they love. Thanks to the passionate leadership of Governor Cuomo, long-standing support from Assembly Speaker Silver, Assemblymember O’Donnell and his Assembly colleagues, thoughtful leadership from Majority Leader Skelos, strong support from Democratic Leader Sampson, Senator Duane and the vast majority of the Democratic conference, as well as the courageous votes of Republican Senators Alesi, Grisanti, McDonald, and Saland, New York will once again be a leader in the struggle for equality. Tonight’s victory is sweet and long in coming — not only for gay and lesbian New Yorkers and their friends and families — but for all New Yorkers who believe in fairness and justice.”
###
New Yorkers United for Marriage is a coalition of leading New York LGBT rights organizations fighting so that all couples in New York State have the freedom to marry the person they love.
The Empire State Pride Agenda is the statewide civil rights and advocacy group committed to achieving full equality and justice for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) New Yorkers and our families. For twenty years we have been educating policymakers, elected officials and the public, building coalitions and mobilizing allies, lobbying government officials, administering a Political Action Committee, and organizing and empowering the LGBT community.
Freedom to Marry is the campaign to win marriage nationwide. We are pursuing our Roadmap to Victory by working to win the freedom to marry in more states, grow the national majority for marriage, and end federal marriage discrimination. We partner with individuals and organizations across the country to end the exclusion of same-sex couples from marriage and the protections, responsibilities, and commitment that marriage brings.
The Human Rights Campaign is America’s largest civil rights organization working to achieve gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender equality. By inspiring and engaging all Americans, HRC strives to end discrimination against LGBT citizens and realize a nation that achieves fundamental fairness and equality for all.
Marriage Equality New York (MENY) is a grassroots, volunteer based, single-issue organization dedicated to securing the right for all New Yorkers to enter into legally recognized civil marriages. With local chapters throughout New York State, MENY is leading the fight for equality, helping educate local and state politicians and candidates to support equal marriage rights legislation.
Log Cabin Republicans is the nation’s only organization of Republicans who support fairness, freedom and equality for gay and lesbian Americans. Log Cabin has state and local chapters nationwide, a full-time office in Washington, D.C., a federal political action committee and state political action committees.
GLAAD:
GLAAD APPLAUDS NY STATE SENATE VOTE IN SUPPORT OF MARRIAGE EQUALITY
New York, NY, June 24, 2011 – The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD), the nation’s lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) media advocacy and anti-defamation organization, today applauded a vote by the New York state Senate that will allow loving gay and lesbian couples to marry in the Empire State. The bill, which was approved by the state Assembly last Wednesday, will now be sent to Governor Andrew Cuomo, who has led a high-profile campaign in support of marriage equality in New York.
GLAAD has New York couples, faith leaders and marriage equality advocates ready to speak to the media about the decision. Additional resources for media are available here: http://www.glaad.org/releases/06222011eyeonthemedia.
“At the heart of this vote are loving and committed New Yorkers who simply want the same thing all Americans want: the ability to take care of the people they love and to protect their families,” said GLAAD’s Senior Director of Programs Herndon Graddick. “Gay and lesbian New Yorkers are now one step closer to the vital legal protections that marriage affords and which all couples need.
“GLAAD applauds the work of our partners at the Empire State Pride Agenda, Marriage Equality New York, Freedom to Marry, the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), Log Cabin Republicans and the couples whose personal stories have moved lawmakers to support this historic legislation,” Graddick continued. ”GLAAD encourages media reporting on this story to ground their coverage in the stories of the New York couples whose love and commitment is at the heart of today’s decision.”
GLAAD has helped several gay and lesbian couples from across the Empire State share their stories in local and national media in an effort to build support for marriage equality. In collaboration with the New Yorkers United for Marriage coalition, GLAAD has also held trainings for couples and allies that help advocates speak out more effectively on the local and national level.
About GLAAD: The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) amplifies the voice of the LGBT community by empowering real people to share their stories, holding the media accountable for the words and images they present, and helping grassroots organizations communicate effectively. By ensuring that the stories of LGBT people are heard through the media, GLAAD promotes understanding, increases acceptance, and advances equality. For more information, visit www.glaad.org.
Massachusetts Democratic Party:
MA Dems Congratulate New York on Marriage Equality Vote
Boston – Massachusetts Democratic Party chair John Walsh released the following statement today after the New York Senate followed the state Assembly in voting to recognize marriage equality:
“I would like to congratulate our neighbors in New York who tonight joined Massachusetts and a handful of other states in recognizing marriage equality. Governor Cuomo brought Democrats and Republicans together in Albany to move our nation one step closer to becoming a more perfect union with liberty and justice for all.
“The fight for equality is never easy, but it is always worthwhile. After seven years of marriage equality in Massachusetts, I’m still proud to wake up every morning in a state that has boldly reaffirmed the belief of our nation’s founders that all of us are created equal. It is a satisfaction that our friends in New York, and hopefully more states to come, will now share.
Freedom to Marry:
New York Freedom to Marry Win Builds National Momentum
Number of Americans Living in States with the Freedom to Marry More Than Doubles
Press Contact:
Jackie Yodashkin
Communications Director, Freedom to Marry
jackie@freedomtomarry.org
917-620-4502
(New York, NY, June 24 2011) – In a resounding win for the freedom to marry movement, the New York legislature today sent a marriage bill to Governor Cuomo’s desk that, when signed, will more than double the number of Americans living in a state with the freedom to marry for all committed, loving couples.
“Winning the freedom to marry in New York truly is a transformative moment for committed couples and for our country, a triumph for love and equality under the law,” said Evan Wolfson, founder and President of Freedom to Marry. ”Now that we’ve made it here, we’ll make it everywhere — and as Americans’ hearts open and minds continue to change in favor of the freedom to marry, the momentum coming from New York’s giant step forward brings a nationwide end to marriage discrimination closer than ever.”
The New York victory represents a number of historic firsts:
* For the first time, a Republican-led chamber, the New York State Senate, joined the Democrat-led Assembly in passing marriage legislation;
* the marriage bill was strongly championed by a governor who ran for office on his pledge to pass a bill and then campaigned steadily for it, making it one of his top priorities and committing political capital to its passage;
* a large number of America’s most prominent businesses including Xerox Corporation, Alcoa, and McGraw-Hill, and the heads of Morgan Stanley, Goldman Sachs, and Citigroup, along with corporate leaders and labor unions, including very strong leadership by SEIU 1199, urged passage of the bill;
* and numerous professional athletes, including NBA star Steve Nash, New York Rangers star Sean Avery, and New York Giants great Michael Strahan, joined the chairman of the New York Giants and owner of the New Jersey Nets in speaking out for the bill.
“This unprecedented support from Republicans, corporations, and even pro athletes demonstrates how mainstream ending the exclusion of gay and lesbian couples from marriage has become,” said Wolfson. ”The surge in new support and this epic win in New York add to the momentum for the work ahead: ending the cruel exclusion from marriage in other states, and overturning the so-called Defense of Marriage Act, which denies married gay and lesbian couples — even in New York and other states that issue marriage licenses without discrimination – the safety-net of protections and responsibilities marriage brings at the federal level.”
The New York freedom to marry bill passed Assembly in a 80-63 vote and then the Republican-led Senate by 33-29. With this win, the number of Americans living in states with the freedom to marry more than doubles, from 16 million to 35 million.
Freedom to Marry helped shape every front of the campaign to win marriage in New York. As a founding member of the New Yorkers United for Marriage coalition, Freedom to Marry played a key leadership role in guiding and investing in the coalition’s work to win. Freedom to Marry invested over $1,000,000 in the campaign, including more than $500,000 for television, newspaper ads, and direct mail, and over $100,000 in polling, all aimed at making sure legislators heard from the couples affected, their loved ones, and the 58% of New Yorkers who support the freedom to marry.
“With the freedom to marry in New York, the nationwide majority for marriage will swell, as even more people get to see why marriage matters to same-sex couples, that gay couples, like non-gay, treasure the chance to affirm and strengthen their commitment, and that ending marriage discrimination helps families and hurts no one,” said Wolfson. ”We are especially grateful for Governor Cuomo’s strategic and passionate leadership in advancing this bill. He worked tirelessly with Freedom to Marry and other advocates to secure the votes we needed to win. No governor has ever worked harder or more strategically to advance marriage legislation.”
***
Freedom to Marry is the campaign to win marriage nationwide. We are pursuing our Roadmap to Victory by working to win the freedom to marry in more states, grow the national majority for marriage, and end federal marriage discrimination. We partner with individuals and organizations across the country to end the exclusion of same-sex couples from marriage and the protections, responsibilities, and commitment that marriage brings.
National Stonewall Democrats:
National Stonewall Democrats Statement on the Passage of Marriage Equality in New York
“New York has finally done the right thing by rising above partisan bickering to give same-sex couples in the Empire State civil marriage rights,” said NSD Executive Director Michael Mitchell. “I’m exceptionally proud of our affiliated clubs in New York for all their efforts to help get this measure to Gov. Cuomo’s desk, in addition to the years of ceaseless work to elect and educate Democrats statewide about the importance of marriage equality. Those Democrats created the measure, fought long and hard for it and provided the lion’s share of the votes for passage.”
“I could not be happier or more overjoyed that New York has passed the Marriage Equality Act,” said Bryan Ball, President of Stonewall Democrats of Western New York. “I commend our local legislators here in the Buffalo area – Sen. Timothy Kennedy and Assemblymember Sam Hoyt – and Gov. Cuomo for their tireless to advance equality, and also thank those in the Republican Party who stood with Democrats and all New Yorkers for equality.
“I look forward to the day when our Federal government repeals DOMA.”
“It is evident that the many voices of LGBT New Yorkers and our straight allies have been heard,” said Joseph Hagelmann, President of the Stonewall Democratic Club of New York City. “Through innumerable post cards, letters, phone calls, usage of social networking, lobbying visits, and public rallies, we’ve strongly reminded our legislators that they have been elected to work for us, and we’ve sent them a very clear message that this is what we demanded from them.”
Jerame Davis
Affiliate Services Director
National Stonewall Democrats
jdavis@stonewalldemocrats.org
317-213-4148
Family Equality Council:
MARRIAGE EQUALITY = FAMILY EQUALITY
LGBT PARENTS AND CHILDREN CELEBRATE HISTORIC NEW YORK VOTE!!!
Washington, D.C. - (June 24, 2011) – The Family Equality Council, America’s foremost advocate for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) families, today issued a statement congratulating New Yorkers for achieving marriage equality.
“On behalf of the 1 million LGBT parents raising 2 million children in our country today, I want to thank Governor Cuomo, the Senate and Assembly, and the people of New York,” said Jennifer Chrisler, Executive Director of the Family Equality Council.
“New York alone is home to 7,200 of those same-sex couples and 14,000 of their children. Those children need the legal security afforded by marriage. They want to know that both their parents can visit them in the hospital if they’re sick; provide for them in a will; pick them up for school; register them for summer camp; apply for their passport or do any of the thousands of other things that parents do to protect and provide for their kids.
Marriage also sends a strong message to children that their parents have publicly demonstrated their love and commitment to one other and that their families are recognized and valued by society. Our children understand the most fundamental meaning of the word marriage- that marriage defines family in a way that no other word can.
Today, we join New Yorkers in celebrating their victory for marriage equality and look forward to the day when all Americans can enjoy the same rights, benefits and protections.”
National Gay and Lesbian Task Force:
National Gay and Lesbian Task Force hails New York Senate’s passage of marriage equality legislation
New York on cusp of becoming sixth and largest state to allow same-sex couples to marry
“This is a profoundly moving and historic moment for New York. … This vote affirms our common humanity. It means same-sex couples will no longer have to cross state lines to marry. It means New York lives up to its reputation as a national leader. It honors New York’s unique history as being the place where the modern gay rights movement sprang to life…”
- Rea Carey, Executive Director, National Gay and Lesbian Task Force
NEW YORK, June 24 – The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force hailed the New York Senate’s passage of legislation granting the freedom to marry to same-sex couples in the Empire State. The Assembly has already passed the measure, which now moves to Gov. Andrew Cuomo. With the governor’s signature, New York will become the sixth and most populous state to allow same-sex couples to marry.
According to data released June 15 by the Williams Institute, extending marriage to same-sex couples in New York would impact more than 42,000 couples raising 14,000 children in the state. It would also double the percentage of the U.S. population living in states that allow same-sex couples to marry.
The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force has been working with New Yorkers United for Marriage to secure marriage equality, including assisting with nightly phone banks over the past several weeks.
Statement by Rea Carey, Executive Director,
National Gay and Lesbian Task Force
“This is a profoundly moving and historic moment for New York. To finally be able to share and celebrate one’s love and commitment both publicly and legally is a lifelong dream for tens of thousands of same-sex couples and their families. This vote affirms our common humanity. It means same-sex couples will no longer have to cross state lines to marry. It means New York lives up to its reputation as a national leader. It honors New York’s unique history as being the place where the modern gay rights movement sprang to life 42 years ago this month at the Stonewall Inn in New York City – a place where lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people stood up and fought back for their dignity and rightful place in society. This vote honors the spirit of all those who refused to settle for second-class status.
“We look forward to Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s signature on this bill, which will make New York the sixth and largest state to grant this fundamental freedom to loving, committed same-sex couples. We thank each of the lawmakers who stood up for fairness, and we applaud the governor for his tremendous leadership in making marriage equality a key priority. We are pleased and proud to be a supporter of New Yorkers United for Marriage, which has doggedly organized to secure this victory. All shared a vision for equality, pursued it with clarity and persistence, and won.”
To learn more about the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, visit www.theTaskForce.org and follow us on Twitter: @TheTaskForce (http://www.twitter.com/thetaskforce).
PFLAG NATIONAL CELEBRATES NY STATE MARRIAGE EQUALITY VICTORY!
PFLAG National (Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays) – the nation’s largest grassroots-based family organization for families, friends and allies of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people – has issued the following statement regarding the 33 – 29 vote in favor of marriage equality in New York State.
“We applaud Governor Andrew Cuomo and the New York State legislature for their historic vote in favor of marriage equality. This step towards equal civil rights – in one of the largest states in our nation – affirms recent polls that most Americans are now in favor of marriage equality for our LGBT loved ones. PFLAG mothers and fathers all over the state of New York will be celebrating with their sons and daughters, who can now legally marry the people they love in their hometowns,” said Jody Huckaby, Executive Director of PFLAG National.
“After years of actively fighting for marriage equality in New York State, I am elated that both of my sons – gay and straight – will now have the same basic civil right to marry the person they love in the state in which they were raised,” said Dale Bernstein, PFLAG National Board Member, PFLAG Mom, and lifelong New York resident.
PFLAG National is committed to securing full civil rights for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people, by providing support, education and advocacy. Founded in 1973 by mothers and fathers, PFLAG has more than 200,000 members and supporters in more than 350 chapters throughout the United States. To learn more, please visit www.pflag.org.
The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center (New York City):
Statement from Glennda Testone, Executive Director, The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center
New York Achieves Marriage Equality!
This is an extraordinary night for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) New Yorkers. Marriage for same-sex couples will soon become law, following the passage of the Marriage Equality Act. The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center applauds our state legislators in Albany for their historic vote in favor of marriage equality, and stands with all those involved in the New Yorkers United for Marriage coalition; their tireless efforts helped make this a reality. The Center also commends Governor Andrew Cuomo for his steadfast leadership on this issue.
Countless New York same-sex couples come to the Center every day seeking our services, having faced the numerous roadblocks brought on by a lack of marriage protections. Many come looking for LGBT friendly legal or financial referrals. Some come seeking support for their relationships. And even more come to create families with the help of our Center Families program, which has been serving LGBT couples and families for nearly 20 years.
In addition, the Center held several marriage forums in recent months to spotlight this issue and allow a platform for leaders and community members to speak out and advocate for marriage equality. Most recently we hosted a NY Latinos United for Marriage Equality rally and press conference, highlighting significant Latino community support for LGBT marriage protections and garnering significant media attention.
This vote sends a strong message to all New York same-sex couples that their lives and their families matter. It’s vitally important for the state to extend these much needed protections so that loving committed couples can take care of and be responsible for one another and for their families.”
CONGRATULATIONS NEW YORK!
U.S. Senator Gillibrand (D-NY):
GILLIBRAND STATEMENT ON NEW YORK STATE ACHIEVING MARRIAGE EQUALITY
Praises Democrats And Republicans For Coming Together To Uphold American Values Of Equality, Justice
Washington, DC – U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand issued the following statement tonight after the New York State Senate voted in favor of marriage equality for all New Yorkers:
“New York has always led the way for equal rights – from leading the suffrage movement, to Abraham Lincoln’s remarkable speech opposing slavery at Cooper Union – and we have done it again. I want to thank Governor Cuomo for his extraordinary leadership and unwavering commitment to marriage equality which brought home this great victory. I also want to thank the committed advocates who worked day in and day out, and all of the New York State lawmakers – Democrats and Republicans – who came together to uphold the fundamental American values of equality and justice for all.
“New York State has sent a powerful message to the rest of the nation. The right to get married and start a family is a basic, human right that must be shared by all Americans. Every loving, committed couple in America deserves this right. And no politician should stand in the way of this fact.
“Marriage under the law is the foundation for strong families. I will continue to help lead the fight in Washington to repeal the Defense of Marriage Act so that all loving and committed marriages in New York are recognized by the federal government.”
True Colors Fund:
CYNDI LAUPER APPLAUDS THE PASSAGE OF MARRIAGE EQUALITY IN NEW YORK STATE
June 24, 2011 [NEW YORK] – The following is a statement from Cyndi Lauper, founder of the True Colors Fund and longtime advocate for the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community, about today’s passage of marriage equality in her home state of New York:
I have never be prouder to be a lifelong New Yorker than I am today with the passage of marriage equality. New York joins a growing number of states leading the nation towards the future we have always been destined for, a future where everyone is treated equally, with dignity and respect.
I am inspired by all of my fellow New Yorkers who stood with us and showed their support by contacting their state representatives, attending rallies and encouraging their family and friends to get involved. It is because of great citizens like them that civil rights for all, especially gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people, continue to advance in this country.
I am equally inspired by the state assembly members and senators who stood by their convictions and voted “YES”. I am in awe of their decision, along with unwavering leaders like Governor Andrew Cuomo, Mayor Michael Bloomberg, City Council Speaker Christine Quinn, and Senators Kirsten Gillibrand and Charles Schumer, to be on the right side of history.
New York also owes a debt of gratitude to the organizations and community leaders like the Human Rights Campaign, Freedom to Marry, the Empire State Pride Agenda and Broadway Impact for their dedication and commitment to making marriage equality a reality in the Empire State.
ABOUT THE TRUE COLORS FUND
The True Colors Fund was founded by Cyndi Lauper to inspire and engage everyone, particularly the straight community, to become active participants in the advancement of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender equality and to raise awareness about and bring an end to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning youth experiencing homelessness. To learn more, please visit: www.truecolorsfund.org
Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders (GLAD):
GLAD Congratulates New York on Achieving Marriage Equality
Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders, the organization whose successful lawsuits brought marriage equality to Massachusetts and Connecticut and laid the groundwork for marriage in Vermont, today offered congratulations to the state of New York, where the legislature decisively — and with bipartisan support — passed a marriage equality bill, which Gov. Andrew Cuomo has already pledged to sign into law.
“We applaud the elected officials in New York who championed full equality,” said Gary Buseck, acting executive director. “We are ecstatic for our friends and colleagues and the entire community in New York. We salute the heroic work of the organizations and all the dedicated public servants and private individuals who worked so tirelessly toward making New York the sixth marriage equality state in the country. They were strategic and dogged, they never lost hope, and they always took the high road to equality.
“As a major cultural and population center for our nation and the world, the state of New York today has sent a powerful message of liberty and equality for all that will no doubt resonate far beyond the state’s borders,” Buseck added. “This is a momentous day for the marriage equality movement.”
GLAD’s marriage equality lawsuit, Goodridge v. Department of Public Health, was decided on November 18, 2003, making Massachusetts the first state in which same-sex couples could marry. GLAD also successfully litigated Kerrigan v. Mock, which brought marriage equality to Connecticut in 2008. The organization also litigated Baker v. Vermont with Vermont attorneys Susan Murray and Beth Robinson, which in 2000 led to the country’s very first civil union law.
Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders is New England’s leading legal organization dedicated to ending discrimination based on sexual orientation, HIV status, and gender identity and expression.
Working Families Party:
WFP SALUTES MARRIAGE EQUALITY
PARTY IS PROUD TO STAND BY PRO-EQUALITY CANDIDATES
The following statement can be attributed to WFP Executive Director Dan Cantor:
Today marks another step in history’s uneven but resolute march to justice. As with other historic steps, such as interracial marriages, women’s suffrage or a worker’s right to join a union, in relatively short time we will forget why it was that basic decency required such a major struggle. But we should never forget two things — that this enormous victory only came about due to generations of activism, and that more needs to be done to continue to perfect this state and country.
The Working Families Party is committed to economic and social justice for all families – regardless of race, class, religion, sexual orientation, or any of the other characteristics used to divide and discriminate. We’re proud to stand by so many of our endorsed WF candidates who voted the right way tonight, and we’re gratified to have played even a small role in pushing the ball forward.
If America stands for anything, it is equality under the law. That’s what this vote reaffirms.
63 Comments
Yaywoooooooooo!
We opened the champers and are celebratingRaising my glass to clink against your Dr Pepper, Laurel
With a Republican majority in the Senate, we WON!!!!!
Sorry….I don’t want to put a damper on this, but rules or not, watch NOM and their band of bigots begin to put their machinations in gear to challenge the bill — most likely in court through numerous lawsuts, demanding the law be suspended until they can go through the motions to get the law on the ballot.
You do realise that it wont go into effect in 30 daysDiaz and NOM will be filing, probably in 29 days to extend the “marriageless” period as long as possible.
YES!!!What a wonderful way to start Pride Weekend.
Congratulations New York. Your victory here was a win for all of us!
Thank you to all of the individual activists who made this happen.We are as twigs, faggots* if you will, but bind us together and we cannot be broken. Winning is good, celebrating a win is good. Have fun. Tomorrow, we start again.
What’s next?
Just in time for PrideMany places in the US observe the last weekend in June as either their main event or as the culmination of a week of events.
LET THE FESTIVITIES BEGIN!
Even if that happensThere is precedent for bipartisan legislative support for equal marriage. That genie is not going to go back into the bottle easily.
Very festive here, Tech…Freinds still arriving here, champers, we even toasted Ruben Diaz for probably embarrassing extra Republicans onto our side for fear of being associated with him
Oh, and one for a true “fierce advocate!”The Governor!
Mr President, please take note:
A fierce advocate does what our governor did!
FINALLY!!!
woohoo!!!I’ve moved on to the real celebratory beverage: a crackling cold Diet Pepsi!
Cheers to you Maura and to your parlor of friends!
Congrats New York!!! (n/t)
but,doesn’t the legislative session end tonight because all business has been settled? I think it actually ends on Monday if I’m not mistaken.
Wonderful Indeed!But I do tremble to think what NOM and the other minions of the Catholic Church will be doing to fight it. Of course they’ll want to put it to a popular vote.
But in the meantime, I salute all those who made it possible. This is not a bill which can directly affect me. I am far too old to contemplate such a step, but it’s nice to know the possibility is there. So in the waning hours of this evening, I will lift a glass to my departed friends – so many – who died before seeing this brave new world come to pass.
I am so grateful.
Gratz New York!!!Now to have it spread to every other state in the union that has a ban, or doesn’t have marriage equality yet.
Oh, and didn’t Senator Diazmake a sorry spectacle of himself? I was embarrassed for him.
he might make a good nomineeIt’s the difference between fierce advocacy and results.
Uh oh. Will New York now follow suit?From June 17, 2009:
New Hampshire Passes Law Forcing Old People To Watch Gays Marry
Brian Brownjust pledged on the NOM website to spend $2 million dollars on the 2012 elections to overturn gay marriage and especially defeat the Republicans who “sold out”. I wish I was a fly on Maggie’s bonnet tonight LOL
No you don’t!Maggie’s bonnet is probably laying on the floor, having fallen there when her head exploded about an hour ago. Now there’s just a headless body, aimlessly wandering around, not knowing what to do.
NOM won’t be able to put this on the ballotThe only way a measure gets on the NY state ballot is by the question first passing for two consecutive years in the legislature. That simply won’t happen in NY. Marriage equality is a done deal in NY.
Fantastic! Just bloody fantastic!My native skepticism plus a fair knowledge of how squirrelly NY politics are had me refusing to get my hopes up. But this is just the best news in ages! What a terrific way to start Pride Weekend!
I wasn’t embarrassed for himI was more than happy to see that racist, bigoted, misogynistic, destructive, hate-inciting monster destroy his credibility in such a fashion that it will be played on YouTube for years…
And wouldn’t you just give anything–anything at all–to be a fly in the White House tonight and hear what Barry’s saying about how this makes him look?
Great news …… and just in time for Pride, too!
Tony Perkins is saying that Cuomo and the Dems bribed Republicans
“The so-called religious protections that were tacked on to the bill will ultimately do nothing to protect the religious rights of New York citizens. As we go forward there is little doubt that the “incentives,” some taxpayer funded, used to sway votes, especially Republican ones, will be exposed.”
As he cannot back that up, he can expect a mouthful of Italian–Cuomo’s virtual fist, cause our Gov is not afraid of liars.
it passed in spite of his fierce advocacy… and in Heaven, Mildred Loving is raising a glass of champagne.
Pardon my language butFAN BLOODY TASTIC!!!!!!
I am a gay New Yorker who has been maritally engaged for 20 f***ing years and I plan to enjoy this EPIC win.
My love and best wishes to all the rest of you!!!
And yet whenwe criticize politicians who vote against equal marriage rights, Mrs. Srivistav immediately starts screaming about intimidation. We’re definitely seeing why Jesus had so much to say about hypocrites but nothing about us.
He is right about one thing though not for the reason he thinks.The religious protections won’t protect anything because they were totally redundant. Now I need to go wash my mouth out for saying that Tony Perkins was right about something.
A couple of friends are heading into the Cityto whoop it up near Archbishop Dolan’s residence at St Pat’s…we don’t want him to miss out on the joy…
Mixed victoryI’m still sad about the burial of GENDA to get here, but dealing with that is for another day.
congratulations!
The Governor has already signed the Bill !!!!Fantastic—Governor Cuomo, you kept your word to us. You directly negotiated for us. We are proud to be the citizens of the state that you govern!
Want to run for President????
Please????
Not every state has ballot provisionsAnd New York may be one that does not. Many states – especially those that entered the union prior to the mid-19th century, tend not to allow referenda, except for local matters. The exceptions requiring approval by the legislature. Legislatures generally do not like their responsibilities usurped by ballot initiatives.
Not knowing anything about NY law, I can’t say for sure, but my guess is that to get something like this put to the ballot, NOM, or whoever, would have to go through a lot of machinations and it would still be subject to approval by the legislature. The bar is usually set pretty high for something like this in northern and eastern states (although there are exceptions), and I don’t think a ballot initiative would garner enough support in a blue state like NY to even get it to that point.
I would also question NOM’s ability to orchestrate such an effort. NOM is a lobbying group, but the petition gathering process that is needed for getting something on the ballot requires a large grassroots organization, which NOM is not, and I don’t know if any other group is up to the job in NY.
Having said that, the days for ballot initiatives barring marriage equality may be numbered – those states where these initiatives are likely to pass have already passed them. The tide of popular opinion is also running against the anti-equality people. At some point, hopefully in the not to distant future, the ballot initiative tactic is going to backfire on them one or two times, and that will be the end of these initiatives.
Madam Chairman, I am proud to place in nomination …
Yippee!!!!!!The link is to a pic from my Photobucket account that sums up my feelings very well
http://i250.photobucket.com/al…
Governor Cuomo … the REAL Fierce AdvocateNow that is what LEADERSHIP looks and ACTS like. Thank you sir for fighting for EQUALITY for all Americans.
Wow! Simply wow!
I’ve been celebrating in Santa Monica from the moment I got home at 7pm. Late here and I’m off to TX for vacation with a great smile on my face!
InseverabilityThe religious exemptions include an inseverability clause.
This means that if any part of the religious exemptions is successfully challenged in court then gay marriage itself comes to an end (in New York).
You can bet the NOM and church of Rome are already trying to find ways to invalidate any one of the religious exemptions.
InseverabilityClearly the religious exemptions violate the Equal Protection clause of the 14th Amendment. The new law may be challenged under that legal theory. The good news is that inseverability clauses are routinely ignored by courts when determining how to deal with an unconstitutional provision in a statute.
Is that satire?I really can’t imagine that being real…
How?How do they violate the Equal Protection clause?
theonion.com strikes again…Yes, it’s satire.
They establish a separate class (i.e. religions)as being exempt from the laws that govern everyone else.
That’s a stretchsince religion is also a protected class.
Lose the graphicThe image of Maggie Gallagher with photo-shopped devil’s horns and someone flipping her the bird is really uncalled for, and inappropriate. We’ve one this round, can’t we be gracious about it? Yes, I know she deserves it, but this sort of thing really just adds fuel to her whole false-victimization routine.
Maggie and her campaign of oppression have lost this round, isn’t that enough?
I was just explaining the rationale, as I understand it.I’m very doubtful how far it would get in court (or how far it ever has).
It becomes a question of which protected class is entitled to a protection from another protected class, which is entitled to protection from… It’s a legal hall of mirrors.
It seems likelyIt seems likely the opponents are going to try one legal stunt or another if only to delay implementation.
And this inseverability clause does seem to be a vulnerability that they can seize on. They only have to find any way in which any of the religious exemptions is invalid. It is a high stakes game when they try to destroy protections that were put their for their benefit. But someone will have an agenda to attack based on inseverability. My bet is that it will be the NOM.
Get rid of the Maggie Gallagher graphicIt’s not helpful to the cause. It needlessly raises emotions. It serves no useful purpose. And it invites the other side to respond in kind. We lose public support and sympathy for this kind of thing. And it does not reflect well on this blog and ERW.
Please get rid of it.
ERW? WTF?The opinions I express on this blog are my own. This blog is fully independent of ERW and other organizations and nothing written here should be construed to reflect on them (or vice versa).
Regarding the picture, I’m also not partial to it, but Pam posted it so it will stay unless she chooses to remove it.
then I apologize to youmy comments are properly directed to the person who posted the graphic. I still believe that it’s not helpful.
Well, I was happy to see it also. But Diaz was still embarrassing. Now, NOM, Maggie, Brian, Bryan, Tony, Matt, Porno Pete and the others will be hurling hate grenades as fast as they can. It’s really something to see these people SPEW their hatred, isn’t it? Especially when they claim to do it out Christian Love. It’s so obvious that HATRED is how they make their LIVING, and their hatred is becoming as apparent as that of White Supremacists. I’ll be glad when they’re all out of business, though what the fuck they’ll do next is anyone’s guess. Slimeballs, every one of them.
Hover over the linkI didn’t want to make it too obvious. :-b
Get rid of the Maggie Gallagher graphic Me too. It is in very poor taste, but more importantly it is counter-productive.
Not in NYThere is, according to Wikipedia, no provision for direct balloting in NY at all.
Congratulations!I hope you and your partner have a wonderful wedding and a transcendent honeymoon!
Governor Cuomo:TRUE leader!
What a heartfelt post…Thank you, from a young lesbian, for all the things that your generation has done for us to help propel us forward towards this day. I honor your sacrifice and courage and the sacrifice and courage of everyone else who isn’t here today.
<3
I lovedthe part at the beginning where he asked Saland if Saland wanted to answer any questions about his vote and then when Saland declined, Diaz started freaking out about how Saland must be “ASHAMED!!!” And then they had to officially reprimand him… lol.
Sounds about right“Now there’s just a headless body, aimlessly wandering around, not knowing what to do.”
You mean like every day?
LOL!!
Somehow I thinkthat Maggie Gallagher is going to claim to be a poor victim no matter what we do. Us existing makes her think she is a poor victim.