On Saturday, June 25, we woke up in a brand new era with faces beaming. The drama on the floor of the New York State Senate the evening before had given way to historic celebration. The Governor had signed marriage equality into law.
As longtime HRC supporters and a couple approaching our 25th anniversary, we watched the political spectacle unfold for weeks one minute excited, the next apprehensive. We called the office of one brave senator to say how proud we were of his "yes" vote. A young woman answered who had been overwhelmed by angry callers and she was very clearly relieved and grateful to hear from someone who supported her boss's decision.
Now, 30 days after that pivotal vote and the culmination of HRC's exhaustive work across the Empire State, the very first same-sex marriages are underway in New York. And we're showing our gratitude today by signing HRC's thank-you card for Governor Cuomo and the more than 100 members of the New York Senate and Assembly who voted "yes" for this fundamental right.
Will you join us? Sign the thank-you card, and HRC will deliver it to Albany.
As hundreds even thousands of loving, committed couples prepare to legally affirm the vows and pledges they've held so long in their hearts, we're taking a moment to reflect on the 24 years we've spent as partners, as co-owners of our business, and as activists in the LGBT equality movement.
We've been together since the early days of the AIDS crisis. We've seen the ups and downs, the heroes and the villains. Now, thanks to a courageous governor and dozens of fair-minded lawmakers we have the right to get married. But what we find most meaningful is our new, legal right to consider marriage as an option, to discuss its benefits together, and who knows? maybe even propose to each other.
Seeing what's happened in New York and how instrumental HRC was in achieving this victory, we know for certain that progress is possible. And we also know that governors and legislators in other states are looking to New York to see whether the fight is worth it.
Will the legislators who boldly switched their votes from "no" in 2009 to "yes" in 2011 win the praise and support of a grateful community? Will the others who stood for equality be recognized? Or will they fall victim to right-wing ire at the polls? What happens next in New York could affect equality across the nation.
On this momentous day, as thousands mark new beginnings and celebrate love and equality, will you take a quick minute and send your thanks to New York's elected leaders?
Sign the thank-you card to leaders here in New York. Others around the country are watching and it's important they know we'll have their backs when they make the right call.
When we talk about how far we've come in New York from the beginnings of the modern LGBT rights movement outside the Stonewall Inn in 1969, to watching hundreds celebrate marriage equality on the very same bricks last month we can't help but think about what else is possible.
We're grateful to HRC for leading this fight, and to you for being a part of this movement.
In unity and celebration,
Dennis and John,
HRC Members
Lambda Legal Celebrates First Day of Marriage in New York
"Today we celebrate our families, our equality and how far we have come as a community."
( New York, July 24, 2011 ) In celebration of the first day same-sex couples can wed in New York, Lambda Legal issued the following statement from Kevin Cathcart, Executive Director of Lambda Legal:
"Today we celebrate our families, our equality and how far we have come as a community. We congratulate same-sex couples across New York who are exchanging vows in their home state. As a long-time New Yorker I can say that any stereotype about jaded New Yorkers does not hold true today--lesbian and gay couples, and so many allies, families and friends are celebrating this momentous day.
"We congratulate the courageous couples we represented in our 2004 marriage lawsuit ( Hernandez v. Robles ) . They worked hard through both litigation and legislative advocacy to reach this day. Two of those couples are marrying in New York today.
"It takes a lot of people to make history. Thank you to our colleagues at Empire State Pride Agenda and Freedom to Marry who formed New Yorkers United for Marriage and all of our allies who fought so hard for this day. We thank Governor Cuomo for his leadership, and we are proud of the state legislators who voted for equality.
"Lambda Legal never gave up fighting in New York for greater recognition of our relationships and families, and we are not giving up in New Jersey either. Just days after the winning vote in New York, we filed our lawsuit seeking marriage equality in New Jersey representing seven same-sex couples and Garden State Equality. New Jersey still treats same-sex couples as inferior to others it's time to put a stop to that."