Gay Primary Source

Saturday, June 25, 2011

Republican Senator Supports Marriage Equality

[watch the video - New York State Senator Mark Grisanti explains his support of the Marriage Equality Bill]

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo Announces Passage of Marriage Equality Act

[watch the video]

New York Passes Marriage Equality Act

"New York has finally torn down the barrier that has prevented same-sex couples from exercising the freedom to marry and from receiving the fundamental protections that so many couples and families take for granted. With the world watching, the Legislature, by a bipartisan vote, has said that all New Yorkers are equal under the law. With this vote, marriage equality will become a reality in our state, delivering long overdue fairness and legal security to thousands of New Yorkers."
New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo, June 24, 2011.

Wednesday, June 22, 2011

UN Supports GLBT Rights... sort of

Action on Resolution on Human Rights, Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity
"In a resolution (A/HRC/17/L.9/Rev.1) regarding human rights, sexual orientation and gender identity, adopted by a vote of 23 in favour, 19 against, and 3 abstentions, the Council requests the High Commissioner to commission a study to be finalised by December 2011 to document discriminatory laws and practices and acts of violence against individuals based on their sexual orientation and gender identity, in all regions of the world, and how international human rights law can be used to end violence and related human rights violations based on sexual orientation and gender identity; decides to convene a panel discussion during the nineteenth session of the Human Rights Council, informed by the facts contained in the study commissioned by the High Commissioner and to have constructive, informed and transparent dialogue on the issue of discriminatory laws and practices and acts of violence against individuals based on their sexual orientation and gender identity; and decides also that the panel will also discuss the appropriate follow-up to the recommendations of the study commissioned by the High Commissioner." United Nations Human Rights Council, June 17, 2011.

Thursday, June 16, 2011

Gov. Cuomo Lauds Assembly on Marriage Equality

"The vote by the State Assembly has moved New York one step closer to making marriage equality a reality. I applaud these legislators' prompt and courageous support on this measure, which will finally allow same-sex couples the freedom to marry and provide them with hundreds of rights that others take for granted. I commend Speaker Sheldon Silver for his leadership and Assemblyman Daniel O'Donnell for his tireless work fighting for equality. We are on the verge of a pinnacle moment for this state." New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, June 15, 2011.

NY Assembly Passes Marriage Equality Act

"This is an immense step toward achieving true equality for all here in New York. I am very proud that under Speaker Silver’s strong leadership and with his unwavering support, we in the Assembly have powerfully voiced our deep-seated belief in equality and rejected legalized discrimination yet again. Since we first passed Marriage Equality four years ago, the need for this law has only grown, with same-sex couples in New York facing daily discrimination from our state. This must end. This issue remains profoundly important to me; it is not just a professional goal, but a personal mission. My partner John and I have been together for over 30 years, and we have awaited the ability to marry in our home state for many of them. Today, for the fourth time, the Assembly declared that now is the time." New York Assembly Member Daniel O'Donnell (D-Manhattan), June 15, 2011.

Governor Cuomo Proposes Marriage Equality Act

"From the fight for women's suffrage to the struggle for civil rights, New Yorkers have been on the right side of history. But on the issue of marriage equality, our state has fallen behind. For too long, same-sex couples have been denied the freedom to marry, as well as hundreds of rights that other New Yorkers take for granted. Marriage Equality is a matter of fairness and legal security for thousands of families in this state – not of religion or culture. When it comes to fighting for what's right, New Yorkers wrote the book, and Marriage Equality is the next chapter of our civil rights story." New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, June 14, 2011.