The Governor Speaks Out
Posted on Apr 30, 2009 at 10:32 am
Gay City News
April 29, 2009
Stepping up to a high profile was especially important at this point, he said. "I felt that so many advocates were so devastated by Proposition 8 that they didn't even know how to respond when marriage equality was being discussed as a political football in the battle over the Senate leadership at the end of last year," Paterson said, "and then it was being discussed that the governor wouldn't even introduce a program bill this year, and that's when I decided to put a stop to that discussion." [Link]
April 29, 2009
Stepping up to a high profile was especially important at this point, he said. "I felt that so many advocates were so devastated by Proposition 8 that they didn't even know how to respond when marriage equality was being discussed as a political football in the battle over the Senate leadership at the end of last year," Paterson said, "and then it was being discussed that the governor wouldn't even introduce a program bill this year, and that's when I decided to put a stop to that discussion." [Link]
Paterson joins gays calling for passage of rights bills
Posted on Apr 28, 2009 at 04:34 pm
365Gay.com
April 28, 2009
New York Gov David Paterson joined thousands of gay rights activists rallying Tuesday in front of the Capitol for the passage of bills allowing same-sex couples to marry, safe schools, and transgender rights. The governor blasted people who use religion to condemn same-sex marriage, but abandon the principles of their faith in failing to protect LGBT youth from being victims of hate crimes. [Link]
April 28, 2009
New York Gov David Paterson joined thousands of gay rights activists rallying Tuesday in front of the Capitol for the passage of bills allowing same-sex couples to marry, safe schools, and transgender rights. The governor blasted people who use religion to condemn same-sex marriage, but abandon the principles of their faith in failing to protect LGBT youth from being victims of hate crimes. [Link]
Marriage equality advocates rally in Albany, New York
Posted on Apr 28, 2009 at 09:56 am
Associated Press
April 28, 2009
About 2,000 people are expected at a lunchtime rally outside the Capitol today in support of marriage equality legislation. Attendees at the rally will include Kate Hathaway, mother of actor Anne Hathaway; Alan Lubin of New York State United Teachers; and members of the clergy, business community and labor organizations. (Link)
April 28, 2009
About 2,000 people are expected at a lunchtime rally outside the Capitol today in support of marriage equality legislation. Attendees at the rally will include Kate Hathaway, mother of actor Anne Hathaway; Alan Lubin of New York State United Teachers; and members of the clergy, business community and labor organizations. (Link)
COMMENTARY: Freedom to Marry Law Nears
Posted on Apr 27, 2009 at 04:58 pm
Times Union
April 26, 2009
Fred LeBrun writes, "When all else fails, do what you think is right. Now there's a novel thought. [Paterson] says same-sex marriage is about civil rights and fundamental fairness. He's right. It's never the wrong time to take to the streets on such basic material, even if the first couple of times through it doesn't get the job done." [Link]
April 26, 2009
Fred LeBrun writes, "When all else fails, do what you think is right. Now there's a novel thought. [Paterson] says same-sex marriage is about civil rights and fundamental fairness. He's right. It's never the wrong time to take to the streets on such basic material, even if the first couple of times through it doesn't get the job done." [Link]
Stage, Screen Stars Come Out to Support Equal Rights to Marriage
Posted on Apr 24, 2009 at 01:46 pm
The Alternative Press
April 20, 2009
On Monday, April 13, the stars gathered at the Peter Norton Symphony Space on the Upper West Side in New York City for "Broadway for a New America: Standing Up for Marriage Equality and a Progressive Agenda for Change." While the music was themed around love and marriage – for everybody – participants, who are arguably among the most talented people on the planet, made their point with touch-notch music and drama. (Link)
Here's a video from the event of Phyllis Newman reading "Loving for All," Mildred Loving's letter in support of the freedom to marry, at Broadway for a New America:
April 20, 2009
On Monday, April 13, the stars gathered at the Peter Norton Symphony Space on the Upper West Side in New York City for "Broadway for a New America: Standing Up for Marriage Equality and a Progressive Agenda for Change." While the music was themed around love and marriage – for everybody – participants, who are arguably among the most talented people on the planet, made their point with touch-notch music and drama. (Link)
Here's a video from the event of Phyllis Newman reading "Loving for All," Mildred Loving's letter in support of the freedom to marry, at Broadway for a New America:
BREAKING NEWS: Two major New York newspapers endorse marriage equality
Posted on Apr 23, 2009 at 03:50 pm
Empire State Pride Agenda
April 23, 2009
The Empire State Pride Agenda sent the following email alert earlier today:
April 23, 2009
The Empire State Pride Agenda sent the following email alert earlier today:
Two major New York newspapers endorse marriage equality
Today, two important newspapers in upstate New York have editorialized in favor of marriage equality for same-sex couples. The Post-Standard in Syracuse and the Press Republican in Plattsburgh both strongly and eloquently argued the need to immediately pass a bill that would provide access to the 1324 rights and protections that come with a New York State marriage license.
From the Post-Standard:
“Legalizing gay marriage—moreso than the halfway measure of civil union—would strengthen and affirm the long-term commitments same-sex couples make to each other. That doesn't weaken families; it bolsters them.”
From the Press Republican:
“Same-sex marriage is a civil-rights issue, and on that, the government has only one choice: to come down heavily in favor of the civil rights of everyone.”
These papers join The New York Times, the Buffalo News, Albany’s Times Union, El Diario/La Prensa, Hudson Valley’s Journal News, Middletown’s Times Herald-Record, the Ithaca Journal and the Poughkeepsie Journal as major newspapers in New York State that are on record in support of marriage equality.
Read the full text of today’s editorials below:
The Post Standard: A Civil Right: Legislature has no reason to delay on same-sex marriage
The Press Republican: In same-sex marriage, government has no stake
EDITORIAL: In marriage for gay couples, government has no stake in denying civil rights
Posted on Apr 23, 2009 at 02:30 pm
The Press Republican
April 23, 2009
The Northeastern New York newspaper editorializes, "People who oppose same-sex marriage generally do so on moral or religious grounds, neither of which can be legislated. The issue of same-sex marriage is so personal that the government would be wisest to stay right out of it. In other words, government shouldn't go around banning things just because they don't match up with some people's moral or religious notions. Assemblywoman Janet Duprey has it right. Same-sex marriage is a civil-rights issue, and on that, the government has only one choice: to come down heavily in favor of the civil rights of everyone." (Link)
April 23, 2009
The Northeastern New York newspaper editorializes, "People who oppose same-sex marriage generally do so on moral or religious grounds, neither of which can be legislated. The issue of same-sex marriage is so personal that the government would be wisest to stay right out of it. In other words, government shouldn't go around banning things just because they don't match up with some people's moral or religious notions. Assemblywoman Janet Duprey has it right. Same-sex marriage is a civil-rights issue, and on that, the government has only one choice: to come down heavily in favor of the civil rights of everyone." (Link)
Legislature has no reason to delay on same-sex marriage
Posted on Apr 23, 2009 at 02:27 pm
Post Standard
April 23, 2009
The Syracuse, New York newspaper editorializes, "Legalizing gay marriage moreso than the halfway measure of civil unions would strengthen and affirm the long-term commitments same-sex couples make to each other. That doesn't weaken families; it bolsters them...The Legislature should move swiftly to affirm a civil right and legalize same-sex marriage." (Link)
April 23, 2009
The Syracuse, New York newspaper editorializes, "Legalizing gay marriage moreso than the halfway measure of civil unions would strengthen and affirm the long-term commitments same-sex couples make to each other. That doesn't weaken families; it bolsters them...The Legislature should move swiftly to affirm a civil right and legalize same-sex marriage." (Link)
The Inside Story with Ana Marie Cox
Posted on Apr 22, 2009 at 03:06 pm
Air America
April 19, 2009
Ana Marie Cox interviews New York Governor David Patterson and he explains why he supports equal marriage rights. [Link]
April 19, 2009
Ana Marie Cox interviews New York Governor David Patterson and he explains why he supports equal marriage rights. [Link]
Clergy lend voices to marriage debate
Posted on Apr 22, 2009 at 10:59 am
The Boston Globe
April 22, 2009
"There is a campaign on the side of the religious right to convince people that marriage equality for same-sex couples will threaten religious freedom, but we don't think that is the case, and we don't want any myths to go unanswered," said Alan Van Capelle, executive director of the organization. "Nobody has more experience in dealing with the issue of marriage equality than Massachusetts, and so the best people to respond are those who live in Massachusetts and who lead religious institutions." [Link]
April 22, 2009
"There is a campaign on the side of the religious right to convince people that marriage equality for same-sex couples will threaten religious freedom, but we don't think that is the case, and we don't want any myths to go unanswered," said Alan Van Capelle, executive director of the organization. "Nobody has more experience in dealing with the issue of marriage equality than Massachusetts, and so the best people to respond are those who live in Massachusetts and who lead religious institutions." [Link]