“History will define today as a pivotal moment in the fight for equal rights for all.
I applaud Governor Cuomo, the State Senators and Assembly Members who recognized the tenor of the times and heard their constituents' voices, and the LGBT advocates and activists and supporters who served on the front lines of this long-fought battle to ensure equality for all.
Today is long overdue. The passage of time since marriage equality was unsuccessfully introduced a year ago has yielded more open minds and open hearts. I commend our leaders for employing not only common sense but courage, and a conviction to do what simply is right.
On this day, we all should reflect not just on our own lives and the privileges and rights we have, but those of our sisters and brothers, colleagues and friends, and realize that the playing field doesn't favor everyone. There are still challenges ahead. All too often we hear about anti-gay attacks in our city, state and nation. Changing the law does not necessarily change all minds.
My true hope is that today's action will create a wave of acceptance and a recognition that where you love should not be determined by where you live.
As a longtime supporter of marriage equality, I shared the pain endured by my colleagues and friends who could not get married in New York, and now share the joy of progress.
I am proud that as a New Yorker I live in a State that acknowledges that the people you love should not define the limits of your rights. Instead, through today's vote, our State leaders have shown that love and the law can go hand in hand.”
Forty-two years ago at a small bar in Greenwich Village, New Yorkers took a stand against discrimination and the gay rights movement was born. Tonight, New York made history once again, becoming the largest state in the country to pass marriage equality. This victory was only made possible because of the tireless dedication and advocacy of millions of New Yorkers, some gay, some straight, all fighting to ensure that every person in our state is guaranteed the same rights and privileges. This historic day is also due in large part to the leadership of Governor Cuomo. I congratulate the Governor, the State Assembly and the State Senate for this historic step forward. I applaud those legislators who have fought on the front lines for years and also those legislators who courageously found it within themselves and in the voices of their constituents to vote 'yes' for the first time. Sincerely,
"By lifting this barrier to equal rights, our state has made a clear and forceful declaration that there must be no second-class New Yorkers.
"Today has been a day when our greatest ideals were on display – ideals like 'liberty and justice for all' and the unshakable belief that 'all men are created equal.’
"This struggle has been long, and change is always difficult. We are proud that New York has debated this issue in an atmosphere of respect. But as evidenced today, the march toward greater freedom and fairness, toward true equality under the law, cannot be stopped until all of us are truly free.
"There was another kind of history made today as well – the kind recorded not in history books, but in family photographs and genealogies.
"For too long, gay and lesbian couples like us were forced to live in the shadows. No matter how long we lived together, no matter how much we loved each other, no matter how committed we were to one another, gay and lesbian relationships rested on a legal house of cards under New York law.
"Today, at last, our state government has caught up with the truth that our families, colleagues and neighbors have long known: GLBT citizens deserve the same rights, recognition and respect as every other New Yorker.
"This historic moment may never have arrived in New York if it weren’t for the leadership of Governor Andrew Cuomo. History will recall his courage and determined support, along with that of City Council Speaker Christine Quinn, Mayor Michael Bloomberg and those Assembly Members and Senators who stood up for what is right, particularly Senator Tom Duane and Assembly Members Danny O’Donnell and Deborah Glick.
"With today’s vote, New York has reclaimed its proper role as a beacon for civil rights and equality – a proud example that we hope may inspire our federal government and state governments around the country to follow suit."
--Council Member Jimmy Van Bramer & Dan Hendrick, Sunnyside, NY
Praises Democrats And Republicans For Coming Together To Uphold American Values Of Equality, Justice
U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand issued the following statement tonight after the New York State Senate voted in favor of marriage equality for all New Yorkers:
“New York has always led the way for equal rights – from leading the suffrage movement, to Abraham Lincoln’s remarkable speech opposing slavery at Cooper Union - and we have done it again. I want to thank Governor Cuomo for his extraordinary leadership and unwavering commitment to marriage equality which brought home this great victory. I also want to thank the committed advocates who worked day in and day out, and all of the New York State lawmakers - Democrats and Republicans - who came together to uphold the fundamental American values of equality and justice for all.
“New York State has sent a powerful message to the rest of the nation. The right to get married and start a family is a basic, human right that must be shared by all Americans. Every loving, committed couple in America deserves this right. And no politician should stand in the way of this fact.
“Marriage under the law is the foundation for strong families. I will continue to help lead the fight in Washington to repeal the Defense of Marriage Act so that all loving and committed marriages in New York are recognized by the federal government.”
New York will become the sixth state to allow gay marriage after lawmakers passed the measure on Friday, a key victory for gay rights ahead of the 2012 presidential and congressional elections.
New York state senators voted 33 to 29 to approve marriage equality legislation introduced by Governor Andrew Cuomo, a Democrat in his first year of office. New York will now be the most populous state where lawmakers approved gay marriage.
"New York has finally torn down the barrier that 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," Cuomo said in a statement.
After Cuomo signs the bill same-sex weddings can start taking place in New York in 30 days and religious institutions and nonprofit groups with religious affiliations are not compelled to officiate.
"I have to define doing the right thing as treating all persons with equality and that equality includes within the definition of marriage," said Republican Senator Stephen Saland, speaking before the bill was passed.
Cheers erupted in the Senate gallery in the state capital Albany and among a crowd of several hundred people who gathered outside New York City's Stonewall Inn, where riots following a police raid in 1969 sparked the modern gay rights movement.
"It's about time. I want to get married. I want the same rights as anyone else," Caroline Jaeger, 36, a student, who was outside the Stonewall Inn.
But New York Bishops said in a statement that they were "deeply disappointed and troubled" by the passage of the bill.
"We always treat our homosexual brothers and sisters with respect, dignity and love. But we just as strongly affirm that marriage is the joining of one man and one woman," they said.
New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, an advocate for gay marriage who lobbied state lawmakers in recent weeks, said the vote was an "historic triumph for equality and freedom."
"Together, we have taken the next big step on our national journey toward a more perfect union," he said in a statement.
ELECTION ISSUE
President Barack Obama, who attended a fundraiser in New York on Thursday for Gay Pride Week, has a nuanced stance of gay issues and could risk alienating large swathes of the electorate if he came out strongly in favor of such matters as gay marriage before the 2012 polls, experts say.
During the 2008 election Obama picked up important support from Evangelicals, African Americans, and socially conservative Latinos and Catholics -- who all oppose gay marriage, which has become a contentious social issue being fought state-by-state.
In California a judge last year overturned a ban on gay marriage, but no weddings can take place while the decision is being appealed. It could set national policy if the case reaches the U.S. Supreme Court.
Connecticut, Iowa, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont and the District of Columbia allow same-sex marriage, and Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois and New Jersey approved civil unions. The first legal same-sex marriages in the United States took place in Massachusetts in 2004.
But gay marriage is banned in 39 states, according to the The National Conference of State Legislatures.
In New York a recent Siena poll found 58 percent of New Yorkers support gay marriage, while nationally the U.S. public is nearly evenly split with 45 percent in favor and 46 percent opposed, according to a Pew Research poll released last month.
New York's Democrat-dominated Assembly voted 80 to 63 in favor of gay marriage last week and again passed the amended legislation on Friday 82 to 47.
A key sticking point had been over an exemption that would allow religious officials to refuse to perform services or lend space for same-sex weddings. Most Republicans were concerned the legal protection was not strong enough, so legislative leaders worked with Cuomo to amend his original bill.
"God, not Albany, settled the definition of marriage a long time ago," said Senator Ruben Diaz Sr., a Pentecostal minister and the only Democrat to vote against the measure.
However fears of a slew of litigation arising from a possible religious exemption to New York's proposed same-sex marriage law are not borne out by experience with similar laws in other states, legal experts say.
(Additional reporting by Phil Wahba, writing by Michelle Nichols)
First and foremost – we thank and congratulate Sens. Shirley Huntley and Joe Addabbo for changing their position on gay marriage. The two were the only remaining Queens Democrats who had previously voted against gay marriage; this week they said they changed their minds. Yes, we recognize that they perceived the issue to be in opposition of their constituents, and we are glad to see that the people they represent spoke up in great numbers to convince them to change their position.
We certainly realize that this is not a fait accompli. As of printing, there were only 31 Senators committed to voting in favor of granting members of the LGBT community the right to marry one another; 32 are needed, and a vote was expected by Friday.
This newspaper has taken great pride in championing what we feel is the basic equality of civil rights for all New Yorkers. If, indeed, the measure does pass, it will be a historic day in New York – and one of celebration here in Queens, home to one of the largest organized gay communities on the East Coast.
We patiently await the vote of the Senate. Do the right thing. We all should be equal.
Same-sex marriage moved one step closer to being legalized in New York with Assembly's vote.. Justin Sullivan/Getty
The Assembly Wednesday passed a bill to legalize gay marriage while Senate Republicans battled over whether to let the measure come to a floor vote.
The measure passed 80 to 63, the lowest margin in the four times it has been approved by the Assembly since 2007.
"It feels different this time because I'm very hopeful it will pass the Senate and become law this year," said Assembly bill sponsor Daniel O'Donnell (D-Manhattan), one of a handful of gay state lawmakers.
Gov. Cuomo, who has made gay marriage a priority, crowed, "We are on the verge of a pinnacle moment for this state."
The fate of the bill is still up in the air in the GOP-controlled Senate, where 31 senators are on record as supporting it - one shy of the 32 needed for passage.
Senate Republicans discussed the issue behind closed doors for four hours Wednesday. Saying they were unable to decide how to proceed, they are scheduled to continue the talks today.
Just two of the 32-member GOP conference publicly support legalizing gay marriage. Four others are on the fence.
Sources said those who oppose the bill were split over what the Senate should do. Some senators argued against bringing the measure to the floor.
Others are said to have pushed for a floor vote to get the issue off the table in time for next year's elections as the GOP tries to maintain its slim majority.
Senator after senator were said to have spoken "passionately" about his feelings on the gay marriage issue at the four-hour conference.
Some expressed religious objections to the gay lifestyle. Others fear political backlash from conservatives that could cost the GOP the majority next year. Still others had legal concerns about the way the bill submitted by Cuomo was written.
Cuomo said his bill offers exemptions from anti-discrimination laws for certain religious groups and affiliated groups, like the Knights of Columbus.
Several Senate Republicans who are lawyers, including Stephen Saland, one of the four undecideds, have argued that under Cuomo's bill, those groups still could be sued under other parts of state law, sources said.
Senate Republicans are considering reworking the bill or asking Cuomo to amend his legislation, sources said.
"If there are any imperfections in the bill, it behooves us to address them and quickly clean them up," one senator said.
Human Rights Activists Celebrate word of Senator Addabbo and Senator Huntley changing their positions to YES votes on the Marriage Equality Act in New York State
COMPTROLLER DiNAPOLI PROPOSES LEGISLATION TO MAKE HIS BAN ON PLACEMENT AGENTS PERMANENT
June 2, 2011
State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli has proposed legislation to codify his ban on the involvement of placement agents, paid intermediaries and registered lobbyists in investments with the New York State Common Retirement Fund (CRF). The CRF became the first public pension fund in the nation to ban placement agents when Comptroller DiNapoli issued his Executive Order in April 2009. His proposed legislation would make the ban part of state law.
If enacted, it would be the first time such a ban on placement agents was codified into law in the United States.
“Since I took office, we’ve worked to implement reforms that will help restore integrity and trust in this office and the pension fund,” DiNapoli said. “Banning placement agents and lobbyists from involvement in investments was a big step. Now it’s time to make that ban a permanent part of New York State law.”
“As long as I’m in office, I will never allow placement agents in CRF deals. But we have to eliminate any potential for abuse in the future. This bill will make sure that the Fund is protected no matter who is comptroller.”
Immediately after he took office, Comptroller DiNapoli began instituting a series of reforms to address the misdeeds of the previous administration. He has increased transparency, enhanced ethics reporting and worked with the Insurance Department to strengthen oversight of the pension fund. Among his top priorities has been to restore the public’s confidence in the integrity of the Fund’s investment decision making process and in the operations of the Retirement System.
The legislation, which would add a new Section 425 to the Retirement and Social Security Law, is sponsored by Assemblyman Peter Abbate. The bill defines a “placement agent or intermediary” as any person or entity, including a registered lobbyist, that is directly or indirectly engaged and compensated by an investment manager to promote investments to or solicit investment by the CRF, whether compensated on a flat fee, a contingent fee, or any other basis.
COMPTROLLER DiNAPOLI: RISING GAS PRICES COULD HURT FRAGILE ECONOMY
Supports Probe of Possible Energy Market Speculation
May 31, 2011
New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli repeated his warning to New Yorkers that another gas price hike this summer will stall an “already slow” economic recovery. DiNapoli said: “There’s no question it will cause a setback.”
Speaking to Susan Arbetter on The Capitol Pressroom radio show Monday morning, DiNapoli said that government regulators should rule out improper speculation in oil commodities that could further harm the economy. New York Sen. Charles Schumer recently called on the Federal Trade Commission to investigate the possible manipulation of gas prices.
A report released Friday by the Comptroller details the effect of price hikes on residents, government and businesses.
DiNapoli is the sole trustee of the $140 billion New York State Common Retirement Fund. He noted that his approach to energy investing is to protect the state’s fund while also working for the greater public good. Last year, DiNapoli helped secure the resignation of Massey Energy Company Chairman Don L. Blankenship for his “callous disregard” of employee safety prior to the disaster at West Virginia’s Upper Big Branch mine which killed 29 miners. New York’s Common Retirement Fund holds about $14 million in Massey stock.
COMPTROLLER DiNAPOLI: HIGHER ENERGY PRICES MAY SLOW RECOVERY
May 27, 2011
Paying more at the pump may slow New York’s fragile economic recovery, according to a report issued today by New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli. The rising price of oil—which tripled to over $100 per barrel since hitting a $30-per-barrel low in December 2008—has driven up food, transportation and heating costs for consumers, businesses and government agencies.
“The sprouts of economic growth we’ve seen recently may be mowed down by high energy costs,” said DiNapoli. “It’s costing a lot more to fill up your tank, and price hikes for oil and gas also mean more expensive food and rising heating costs. If the current upward trend holds, it’s also going to cost more to run basic government services like the MTA. All this could put another chill on the economy just as it’s starting to thaw. If we need another reminder, here it is: we need to find alternatives to the expensive, pollution-heavy fossil fuel energy we rely on.”
DiNapoli’s report estimates that the average cost of driving a car in New York totaled $1,646 during the April 1, 2010 to March 31, 2011 period, which was $288 more than during the prior twelve-month period. If current prices are maintained over the next twelve months, the cost of driving a car could increase by another $523 to $2,169. This would represent a two-year cumulative increase of $811, or 60 percent. The increase would be even higher for SUVs and light trucks.
Similarly, the statewide average cost to heat a home by oil was $2,757 during the April 1, 2010 to March 31, 2011 period, which was $492 more than the prior twelve-month period. If current prices are maintained over the next twelve months, the cost of heating a home by oil could increase by another $535 to $3,784. This would represent a two-year cumulative increase of $1,027, or 45 percent. The cost increase would be higher in colder regions of upstate New York.
DiNapoli’s report cites a New York State Energy Research and Development Authority study that named New York the most energy-efficient state in the nation, due to a widespread public transportation system and the state’s highly-urbanized population. Despite its efficient use of power, New York remains the fifth largest consumer of energy in the nation.
COMPTROLLER DiNAPOLI AUDIT RECOMMENDS STRENGTHENING ENFORCEMENT OF VETERAN HOUSING PREFERENCES
New DHCR Commissioner Darryl Towns Supports Recommendations
May 26, 2011
Mitchell-Lama housing companies in New York City failed to provide disabled war veterans with priority consideration for housing as required by state law, according to an audit released by New York StateComptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli at a news conference today. DiNapoli was joined by Darryl Towns, Commissioner of New York State Homes and Community Renewal (NYSHCR).
“By law, disabled veterans are supposed to be given a preference to Mitchell-Lama housing,” DiNapoli said. “What has happened is unconscionable. These vets have made unimaginable sacrifices for our nation; they shouldn’t be penalized when they come home.
“So many New Yorkers are serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. NYSHCR has to make and enforce immediate changes to ensure these men and women – and their families – aren’t turned away from the housing that they deserve and the law says they should have. Commissioner Towns has only been on the job a short while, but he’s already stepping up to implement our recommendations and protect veterans’ rights.”
Commissioner Towns said: “NYS Homes and Community Renewal is dedicated to increasing transparency and accountability in our programs and procedures. The audit released today indicated that practices that occurred in this agency under previous administrations did not adequately relay information about housing preferences to some disabled veterans on housing waiting lists. Actions that our administration has alreadyinitiated, and steps that we have since developed with the Comptroller’s office, will fix this problem.”
According to the law sponsored by Towns, a former assemblyman, housing companies must provide disabled veterans with a preference in admission to Mitchell-Lama housing developments. In advance of that law’s enactment, NYSHCR issued a memorandum in 2007 instructing housing companies on how they should implement the law. Since then, NYSHCR has required housing companies to revise their tenant selection procedures, marketing advertisements, outreach letters, and apartment applications to give disabled veterans, and their families, priority consideration for available housing.
In addition, the housing companies were to notify existing waiting list applicants of this new priority.
The audit covered the period November 2007 to September 2010. The law was subsequently expanded to include all wartime veterans and their spouses.
Auditors examined 18 housing facilities in the New York City area. Among the findings:
· Of eight developments required to have a tenant selection plan, three had not updated their plans to include a veteran preference. · Of six that had placed advertisements for vacancies, five did not mention the veteran preference, even though NYSHCR approved the ads. · Eight of the 17 developments that had open waiting lists had not updated their applications to include the veteran preference. · NYSHCR reviewed tenant selection plans and prepared reports on 14 of the developments. These reports failed to mention deficiencies at 13 of those developments that DiNapoli’s auditors later discovered.
DiNapoli recommended that NYSHCR:
· Train Housing Management Representatives to properly review housing company compliance with applicable laws and division guidance; and · Increase monitoring of housing company compliance with applicable laws and division guidance.
DHCR generally agreed with DiNapoli’s findings and indicated they would take corrective action.
Currently, there are 175 DHCR-supervised Mitchell-Lama developments in New York State, with approximately 73,000 units. There are approximately 695,000 wartime veterans who are residents of New York State, according to the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs.
COMPTROLLER DINAPOLI SUPPORTS LEGISLATION TO LEGALIZE SAME-SEX MARRIAGE IN AN HRC VIDEO
May 26, 2011
The Human Rights Campaign (HRC) today released a video featuring New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli expressing his strong support for legislation to legalize same-sex marriage.
“Common decency, human dignity and basic equality are still in short supply in New York,”
DiNapoli said. “Until the relationships of gay men and lesbians are respected and recognized by New York State, we cannot call New York a true democracy. Gay couples should not have to jump through legal hoops just to protect their loved ones and their property. New York should legalize same-sex marriage now.”
“We’re very grateful to Comptroller DiNapoli for joining the mainstream majority of New Yorkers who endorse marriage equality,” said HRC’s Senior Strategist for New York, Brian Ellner. “Now is the time to get this done and let all loving and committed couples marry the person that they love."
DiNapoli is a long time supporter of marriage equality and has repeatedly demonstrated his support since becoming comptroller in 2007. The New York State Common Retirement System recognized same-sex marriages conducted in Canada under the principle of comity, a legal doctrine that has been followed by New York State for many years. In September 2007, DiNapoli directed the Retirement System to recognize same-sex marriages conducted in any jurisdiction where they are legal.
As Comptroller, DiNapoli is sole trustee of the New York State Common Retirement Fund. He has consistently advocated for corporate recognition of same-sex partner rights in the work place and protection from corporate discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender. In addition, DiNapoli created a section of his Your Money New York Web site that provides lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) New Yorkers with essential resources to help achieve financial stability. The section offers access to reliable information on legal rights, on domestic partnerships and programs of interest to the LGBT community, and on other resources that can support individuals through tough economic situations.
The Human Rights Campaign represents a force of more than one million members and supporters nationwide. As the largest national lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender civil rights organization, HRC envisions an America where LGBT people are ensured of their basic equal rights, and can be open, honest and safe at home, at work and in the community. The DiNapoli video is part of an on-going series featuring prominent Americans promoting marriage-equality.
COMPTROLLER DiNAPOLI TO CHEVRON: RESOLVE AMAZON LAWSUIT
Standoff on Poor Ecological Record Bad for Business
May 25, 2011
New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli and a coalition of investors today released a letter to oil giant Chevron urging the company to settle its 20-year legal battle with indigenous populationsin the Amazon rainforest. The long-running court case alleges that Texaco, which merged with Chevron 10 years ago, destroyed huge tracts of the rainforest by dumping billions of gallons of oil waste products over several decades. Citing the “grave reputational damage” Chevron has suffered due to the lawsuit, DiNapoli and other investors called on the company to promptly negotiate a reasonable settlement to prevent further shareholder damage.
“It’s time for Chevron to face reality,” said DiNapoli, trustee of the $140.6 billion New York StateCommon Retirement Fund (Fund), which owns 7.5 million Chevron shares worth an estimated $780 million. “The effects of this horrific, uncontrolled pollution of the Amazon rainforest are still being felt today. Investors don’t derive any benefit from this never-ending courtroom drama.
“The entire case is looming like a hammer over shareholders’ heads. Chevron should start fresh with a new approach that embraces environmental responsibility and risk management as part of its corporate culture. More legal proceedings will only delay the inevitable.”
For nearly 25 years, beginning in 1964, Texaco and its joint venture partner Petroecuador dumped nearly 16 billion gallons of oil waste products into the Amazon rainforest. The two companies also spilled nearly 17 million gallons of oil from their trans-Ecuadorian pipeline operation between 1971 and 1991 —50 percent more oil than was spilled by the Exxon Valdez crash.
In a letter sent in November 2008, DiNapoli called on Chevron’s board of directors to come to an equitable settlement in order to avoid substantial penalties in an Ecuadorian court. Chevron refused to negotiate, and in February, 2011 the Ecuadorian Provincial Court awarded plaintiffs nearly $18 billion in compensatory and punitive damages. The Ecuadorian court judgment is the second-largest of its kind, topped only by BP’s $20 billion fund established to settle claims stemming from the 2010 Gulf of Mexico oil spill. DiNapoli is co-lead plaintiff in an ongoing class action lawsuit filed against BP last year.
In an effort to improve Chevron’s environmental policies, DiNapoli has co-sponsored a proposal calling for the appointment an independent board director with a high level of environmental expertise. Shareholders are expected to vote on the resolution at Chevron’s annual meeting today (May 25).
This much we know about a meeting of Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s cabinet that just wrapped up: various department heads and appointees gathered and discussed the administration’s priorities moving forward, watching some sort of video or slideshow presentation. Read entire article...
Here’s video of Towns and Destito briefly addressing reporters:
On May 12th Senator Kirsten Gillibrand spoke to Liz Benjamin about the Marriage Equality bill in the New York State legislature.
Senator Gillibrand said "...this is important to me. This is important to who we are as New Yorkers. We believe in equality. And, we believe that every loving couple should have the opportunity to marry"
When asked if she plans to contact Democrats and Republicans she added "Anyone who's undecided, I plan to call in the next few days"
(left-right)Pastor Longan- Trinity Lutheran Church, Middle Village, Rev Thomas C. Goodhart - Reformed Church in America, Ridgewood, Monica Siu - Maspeth, Senator Joseph P. Addabbo and David M. Quintana - Ozone Park
On April 26th, activists from the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) met with Senator Joe Addabbo at his Howard Beach office to advocate for his support for Marriage Equality when the same sex marriage bill comes before the New York State Senate during this legislative session...All of the HRC activists are constituents in Senator Addabbo's 15th Senate District...
This marked the beginning of HRC's "in district meetings," a series of sit-downs with state senators, in which their constituents will explain to them personally whyMarriage Equality is a necessity for New York...
Future HRC events include Post-Carding and 'Stop and Dials' at theAtlas Mallin Glendale.on Friday between 5pm-8pm...
Senators Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand have joined HRC’s New Yorkers for Marriage Equality Campaign. Today HRC launched two new videos where both senators proudly support full marriage equality in the Empire State. The new videos and our entire campaign can be viewed online at www.hrc.org/NY4marriage. The two politicians join other prominent New Yorkers, from leaders and advocates, to actors and musicians who are letting America know that New York supports marriage equality.
