Travel: New York for your gay wedding

From the Big Apple to Niagara Falls, Passport.com discovers all the ways the Empire State offers visitors a plethora of great options for the perfect gay wedding or honeymoon.

Upset winner in Congressional election supports marriage equality

Kathy Hochul, a Democrat who supports marriage equality for gays and lesbians, was victorious in a special election to represent New York's 26th congressional district. 

"I do support the civil institution of marriage for gay couples, with absolutely no requirements placed on religious institutions," Hochul told a local paper during the campaign.

New York's top politicos ready marriage push

Gov. Andrew Cuomo, D-N.Y., said last week he wants the Legislature to bring up and pass a marriage equality bill before the end of its session in June.

Separately, New York Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos, a Republican, said he would let that chamber's only openly gay member, Sen. Tom Duane, manage such a bill, an unusual step since Duane is now a member of the minority party. Duane's office welcomed Skelos' comments and reiterated it would take strong support from Cuomo to get the bill passed.

56% of New Yorkers favor marriage equality

A Quinnipiac University poll of 1,436 registered New York voters found the state showing its highest level of support for marriage equality so far, with 56% supporting.

In 2004 a similar poll found 55% said they were opposed to marriage equality.

New governors call for marriage equality

In inaugural speeches last week, the new governors of New York and Rhode Island each called on their state legislatures to pass bills that would legalize marriage for same-sex couples. "When marriage equality is the law in Rhode Island, we honor our forefathers who risked their lives and fortune in the pursuit of human equality," said Gov. Lincoln Chafee, I-R.I. Rhode Island House Speaker Gordon D. Fox, who is openly gay, said he expects the Legislature will vote on the issue early in the current session. 

"I want to be the governor who signs the law that makes equality a reality in the state of New York," said Gov. Andrew Cuomo, D-N.Y. (pictured), at his inauguration.

Delay for New York gay marriage vote

Republican and Democratic supporters of an equal-marriage bill pending in the New York Senate report that they have been unable to come up with the 32 votes needed to pass the measure, so a vote on the bill is on hold. The measure is being strongly supported by New York Gov. David Paterson (pictured) who is also featured in a post today on World of Wonder.

Wow, I had no idea Gov. Paterson's support for the gay community went back so far.

Rally in New York for victim of anti-gay violence

A rally to end anti-gay violence was attended by hundreds of protesters in Queens, N.Y., where 49-year-old gay man Jack Price was the victim of a violent attack on Oct. 8 which was caught on video above.

"Nobody should have to worry about looking behind their backs," said Joseph Guarneri, whose brother, Jack Price, was attacked. "Parents have to teach their kids. They learn hatred and all that stuff at home."

NY Mayor Bloomberg sez gay marriage has "zero" chance

Chelsea Now reports on Michael Bloomberg's dire prediction for gay marriage legislation this year in New York.

New York Assembly votes in favor of gay marriage

The Human Rights Campaign, the nation’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) civil rights organization, issued the following statement after the New York State Assembly voted 89-52 today in favor of marriage for same-sex couples. The legislation will now move to the State Senate.

“It’s great to see the Assembly strongly re-affirm its support for marriage equality. It’s time for the Senate, which now has pro-equality leadership, to ensure that loving, committed same-sex couples in New York can have the same rights and responsibilities under the law as loving, committed different-sex couples,” said Human Rights Campaign President Joe Solmonese. “Congratulations to Assemblymember O’Donnell, Marriage Equality New York, Empire State Pride Agenda, and other activists who have been working for years to achieve equality for same-sex couples and their families in New York .”

More information after the jump.


HRC’s New York leadership is currently working with coalition partners to put a face on same-sex couples in loving and committed relationships who are being denied access to full marriage equality. Through letter writing campaigns, visits with legislators and conversations with friends, family, and neighbors, HRC and its membership in the state are engaged in an active effort to demonstrate the clear need for all couples in loving and committed relationships to have the right to marry.

In the 2008 election season, HRC worked to elect fair-minded candidates to the New York State Senate, including Brian Foley (SD-03) and Joe Addabbo (SD-15), helping to change control of the Senate. In addition, HRC trained more than 50 people in its Camp Equality™ election skills training held on Long Island. In all, HRC New York PAC contributed over $120,000 and had two field staffers, plus a campaign college staffer on the ground. After the elections, HRC teamed with Marriage Equality New York to host a post-election forum to discuss marriage equality in New York state. HRC National Field Director Marty Rouse participated in that forum.

In January of 2007, HRC helped elect Senator Craig Johnson on Long Island in a special election. The election was considered the tipping point for the Democratic takeover of the New York State Senate, as the seat was held by Republicans for over 100 years. HRC sent Regional Field Director Sultan Shakir and another staffer to the district to help increase fair-minded turnout in the district, resulting in a 54% to 46% win for Johnson.

In June 2007, the New York State Assembly voted 85-61 in favor of a marriage equality bill. That bill stalled in the Senate, which at the time was controlled by opponents of equality. In last November’s election, control of the Senate changed hands and Senator Malcolm Smith, a supporter of marriage equality, was chosen as Majority Leader and Senate President Pro Tem.

In 2006 the New York Court of Appeals ruled against marriage equality, expressly stating that it should be resolved by the legislature. New York currently recognizes marriages by same-sex couples legally entered into in another jurisdiction, but does not permit same-sex couples to marry in New York.

Five states have recognized marriage for same-sex couples under state law: Massachusetts, Connecticut, Iowa, Vermont (effective September 1, 2009), and Maine (effective September, 2009, pending a possible referendum). California recognized marriage by same-sex couples between June and November of 2008, before voters approved Proposition 8, which purports to amend the state constitution to prohibit marriage equality. The Proposition 8 vote has been challenged in court; a decision by the state supreme court is expected by June.

The New Hampshire state legislature has approved legislation recognizing marriage equality for same-sex couples; that legislation will go to the Governor's desk. Same-sex couples do not receive federal rights and benefits in any state. To learn more about state by state legislation visit:
www.hrc.org/state_laws



New York passes GENDA

The Human Rights Campaign, the nation’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) civil rights organization, praised the New York State Assembly for its 97-38 vote on Tuesday in support of the Gender Expression Non-Discrimination Act (GENDA). GENDA, which would update existing anti-discrimination laws in New York to prohibit transgender discrimination in employment, housing, public accommodations, credit, and other areas, now moves to the state Senate.

“This is an encouraging vote on much-needed legislation that is simply aimed at making sure everyone in New York receives equal protection under the law,” said Human Rights Campaign President Joe Solmonese. “We congratulate the Assembly for once again voting by an overwhelming margin in support of this bill, as well as the Empire State Pride Agenda, and NYAGRA for working to build support for this vital legislation. Transgender people face discrimination every day and they need and deserve these basic legal protections. I hope the Senate will pass this bill and make these protections a reality for all New Yorkers."

The Assembly also voted last year to approve GENDA, but the legislation did not receive a vote in the Senate.

Currently, 12 states plus the District of Columbia prohibit employment discrimination based on gender identity. To learn more about state by state laws, visit: www.hrc.org/state_laws

Majority of New Yorkers favor gay marriage

More than half of New York voters back a measure to allow gay and lesbian couples to marry, according to a poll conducted by the Siena College Research Institute. The survey found 53% support a marriage-equality bill and 39% are against it. "For women and young voters it's a resounding 'yes.' Men and older voters are more closely divided and more likely to say 'no,' " said Siena New York Poll spokesman Steven Greenberg.

Is New York next for gay marriage?

Looks like New York could be the 5th state to make honest men and women out of us.