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01/15/2009
Forced destination weddings: Why NY $hould give a damn
Your humble scribe and his partner would love to get married in their Manhattan hometown. We are throwing a June bash with all the trimmings, and we would love to have (a) the logistical ease of booking a local soiree, (b) the right to exchange our legal vows in the place where we work and play, and (c) the ability to contribute to the local economy. But instead we will take our party, and the considerable amount of money attached, and outsource it to Connecticut, a state where we can obtain our rights.
Now, when it comes to our selfish desire of having the Statute of Liberty serve as a bridesmaid and a subway rat as a ring bearer, few in Albany are likely to shed a tear over our lost opportunity. But in a letter printed in today's New York Times, Andy Humm, co-host of the fantastic "Gay USA" TV program, ably and accurately highlights why cash-strapped New York should care about situations like mine:
“Democrats Reach Pact to Lead the Senate” (news article, Jan. 7) notes that a bill to “legalize marriage of gay men and lesbians” doesn’t have the votes to pass the New York State Senate.
But same-sex marriages have been legally recognized here, under the principle of comity, since they started being performed elsewhere — first in the Netherlands in 2001, then in Canada and Massachusetts, and now in Connecticut.
By failing to pass the marriage equality bill, which has been passed by the Assembly, the Senate is driving wedding business out of New York, hurting New York’s crumbling economy without stopping gay New Yorkers from assuming the rights and responsibilities of marriage.
All the bill effectively does is open marriage bureaus here to gay couples who either cannot afford the train fare to Greenwich, Conn., or who are too disabled to travel. Andy Humm
Gay Marriage in New York [NYT]
**NOTE: For 1324 reasons why NYS should support marriage equality, as well as practical things we can all do to help obtain them, we strongly encouraege you to get involved with the Empire State Pride Agenda. Their website is here; blog is here.
Your thoughts
Oh, first up! Good. Congratulations to you both. Too bad you couldn't have SOL, and then that June 14 is Sun...cuz on that day you would have had Flags Up all over the country for your soiree... Oh well, will always think of you too (was my Dad'd Bday) on Flag Day from now on.
Have a Party for 'us all.'
Blessings on your House.
Str8 Agains H8
Posted by: LOrion | Jan 15, 2009 12:23:12 PM
You bastard! You were supposed to get married here in Massachusetts. Give us your money so we can fight Camenker and his ilk.
:-)
I'm really sorry you couldn't go with your first (or second) choice.
Posted by: tjc | Jan 16, 2009 12:19:39 AM
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