Broadway Stars to Rally for Marriage Equality in NYC on Sunday

Broadway Impact, the Empire State Pride Agenda, and Marriage Equality New York are putting on a major rally in NYC's Times Square on Sunday from 5-7 pm at Sixth Avenue and 44th street.

According to Broadway Impact, "Audra McDonald, four-time Tony winner and star of ABC’s Private Practice, Cheyenne Jackson, star of Broadway's All Shook Up and Xanadu, and television’s Ugly Betty, will be singing and speaking out on the issue. Speakers in attendance will consist of Senator Tom Duane, who is sponsoring the marriage equality bill in the State Senate and New York State Assemblyman Daniel O’Donnell, brother of Broadway veteran Rosie O’Donnell. 

Hair's Tony-nominee Gavin Creel is hosting the event and will lead his fellow cast members in a performance from the show. Said Creel: “I am thrilled that we are able to come together as a community to urge people to take direct action by calling their State Senators. This peaceful rally is going to be about love – and the right to marry whoever it is that you love.”

More info here.

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Marriage Equality Bills Introduced in NY Legislature

On Wednesday, marriage equality bills in New York were formally introduced in the legislature.

LoHud.com reports:

"Here’s the main change in the language: The domestic relations law is amended by adding a new section 2 10-a to read as follows: 3 § 10-a. Sex of parties. 1. A marriage that is otherwise valid shall be valid regardless of whether the parties to the marriage are of the same or different sex. No government treatment or legal status, effect, right, benefit, privilege, protection or responsibility relating to marriage, whether deriving from statute, administrative or court rule, public policy, common law or any other source of law, shall differ based on the parties to the marriage being or having been of the same sex rather than a different sex. When necessary to implement the rights and responsibilities of spouses under the law, all gender-specific language or terms shall be construed in a gender-neutral manner in all such sources oflaw."

The Senate bill, which will need 32 votes to pass, is sponsored by Sen. Thomas Duane, D-Manhattan, and has 18 Democratic co-sponsors: Adams, Breslin, Dilan, Espada, Craig Johnson, Klein, Krueger, Montgomery, Oppenheimer, Parker, Perkins, Savino, Schneiderman, Serrano, Squadron, Stavisky, Stewart-Cousins and Thompson.

The Assembly bill, which should pass, is sponsored by Daniel O'Donnell and has 53 co-sponsors.

Watch Daniel O'Donnell and Tom Duane speak at the announcement of the introduction of the legislation two weeks ago HERE.

Archbishop, Democratic Bigot Senator Balk at Marriage Equality Bill

Not a surprise, but Democratic state senator Ruben Diaz, Sr. says he's organizing a protest against same-sex marriage legislation, City Room reports:

"Only hours after Gov. David A. Paterson said he would introduce legislation to legalize same-sex marriage in New York, about 100 people attended a meeting on Thursday at the Christian Community Neighborhood Church in the Bronx, where State Senator Rubén Díaz Sr. is the pastor, to discuss plans to protest. The church meeting, led by Mr. Diaz, was organized by the New York Hispanic Clergy Association. In attendance were Hispanic bishops and pastors from churches across the city, as well as some congregants. Mr. Díaz told those in attendance that they were starting to plan a large rally to be held some time in May."

Diaz also immediately enlisted the help of newly-installed Archbishop Timothy Dolan, calling for a meeting with the Catholic leader.

The New York Daily News reports: "Diaz, a Pentecostal minister, blasted Paterson for introducing the measure during Passover and a day after city Catholics welcomed new Archbishop Timothy Dolan. 'It's a slap in the face,' Diaz said.  Dolan also promised to fight Paterson's proposal."

Senate Majority Leader Malcolm Smith, who was not present at yesterday's press conference, released a statement shortly after the presser: "I have been and continue to be a strong supporter of marriage equality and remain steadfast in my commitment to passing the marriage equality legislation submitted today by Governor Paterson. No person should ever be denied their civil rights or the basic freedoms others can enjoy...I am fully committed to continuing the process of securing the 32 votes necessary for passage and ensuring that all New Yorkers can realize the right of marriage equality which is fundamentally theirs."

Assemblyman Daniel O'Donnell, and state senator Tom Duane promised to fight for the votes to pass the bill at yesterday's press conference.

My video of their remarks, along with City Council Speaker Christine Quinn's,
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NY Gay Leaders Await Answers on Marriage Element of Dem Deal

The Empire State Pride Agenda's Executive Director Alan Van Capelle released a statement yesterday in reaction to reports that a marriage equality vote was used as a bargaining chip in the handshake deal struck by New York Senate Democrats yesterday.

Said Van Capelle: “We are still awaiting the final details of the announced State Senate leadership deal. We would expect that any rumors that marriage equality was somehow a part of this deal are just that—rumors. Civil rights should never be a bargaining chip in any political leadership battle, and we would be outraged if the issue of marriage equality was even part of the discussions.”

The NYT reported: "Word of the potential retreat on a same-sex marriage legislation disappointed some backers of equal treatment for gay people. 'All civil rights movements have moments where they move forward, and moments of perceived setbacks,' said Assemblyman Daniel J. O’Donnell of Manhattan. 'If in fact our civil rights were bargained away, that’s deplorable. But in the end, I think justice and fairness will prevail.'"

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