NY Marriage Equality Update

Rev. Anna Taylor Sweringen spoke at a Marriage Equality Rally at New York City Hall on June 14, 2011.

A group of marriage equality supporters gathered at a rally at City Hall Park organised by Connecting Rainbows. At the rally, the Rev. Anna Taylor Sweringen said that LGBT equality is a matter of civil rights.

On the same day of the rally, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo arranged for the filing of a marriage equality bill in the state legislature, which would finally extend marriage rights to LGBT couples. Rich Murray was interviewed by Talking Points Memo. Mr. Murray supports marriage equality, and he is a member of Queer Rising, an group of LGBT activists and allies who engage in non-violent direct action on behalf of queer rights.

More and more, people in our nation are coming forward now, and they aresaying that it is O.K. to follow a religion or have faith -- and stillsupport LGBT equality. Watch the WABC-Channel 7 news report about the peaceful demonstration in support of marriage equality held today in City Hall Park in New York City.

Republican New York State Senators are finding the courage to support marriage equality. In the last two days, two Republican Senators announced that they would vote to approve the marriage equality legislation that has been introduced in the New York state leglislature, reported The Advocate. Sen. Roy McDonald (R-Saratoga County) and Sen. James Alesi (R-Monroe County) have indicated that they would vote to legalise marriage between LGBT couples.

Religious Leaders Support Marriage Equality

Faith-Positive Marriage Equality Rally at New York City Hall

Following a week with multiple religious leadersissuing statements in support of marriage equality in New York State, two prominentgroups, the Jim Owles Liberal Democratic Club and Queer Rising, are endorsing a faith-positive LGBT rally organized by Connecting Rainbows in support of marriage equality at New York City Hall on Tuesday, June 14, 2011, at 11:30 am.

Everybody is asked to meet at the East Side Security Gates outside City Hall. (This is the area right outside the fenced-in parking lot.)

2011-06-13 Marriage Equality Connecting Rainbows -- City Hall Demonstration

Marriage Equality Rally New York

Marriage Equality Rally at City Hall on June 14 :
It's a Civil Rights Issue

Join the growing number of voices, who are saying that Gov. Andrew Cuomo should pull out all the stops -- and get marriage equality passed through the state legislature.

LGBT New Yorkers, who have faith or who follow a different spiritual journey, should not be the targets of religious rhetoric. Yet, a group of extremist and right-wing religious organisations are holding a press conference on Tuesday, June 14 from 11:30 am - 12:30 pm on the steps of New York City Hall. These extremist groups are asking all believers in the Lord to join in a day of fasting and prayer to invoke ''divine intervention'' to prevent the passage of Marriage Equality in New York State.

Connecting Rainbows, an LGBT civil rights group, is inviting all community groups, activists, and allies to join us -- and to spread the word to others -- about a counter demonstration that supporters of Marriage Equality are holding at the same time and at the same place : on Tuesday, June 14 at 11:30 a.m. on the steps of New York City Hall ! Please RSVP to the Marriage Equality Rally Facebook Event.

Connecting Rainbows is asking for a similar and powerful coälition of Marriage Equality groups to show up -- and to send a message that these religious organisations should be protecting the sanctity of LGBTQ lives, too. We are each somebody, and we each deserve full equality.

Queer Rising Activists Arrested In Demonstration Supporting Marriage Equality

5 Activists Arrested Today For Blocking Traffic In Front Of Gov. Andrew Cuomo's Office In Political Demonstration To Support Marriage Equality

NEW YORK - In a bid to raise political pressure on the passage of a marriage equality law in the state of New York, members of the LGBTQ activist organization Queer Rising held a series of coördinated protests in New York City, culminating in the arrest of 5 of the group's members.

A Trio of Actions for Marriage Equality from David Wallace on Vimeo.

In one phase of the protests, balloons were released inside Grand Central Station and floated up to the iconic ceiling. The balloons were attached to a large sign, which called on New Yorkers to put pressure on their government to demand marriage equality, according to a press release issued by Queer Rising.

In another phase of the protests, several activists blocked traffic near the intersection of East 41st Street and Third Avenue during rush hour ; the location was just outside Gov. Andrew Cuomo's office. Once they blocked traffic, the activists unfurled a huge 75-foot banner that read, ''Marriage Equality NOW ! Call Cuomo : "518-474-8390 !!!'' Five members then handcuffed and chained themselves in the middle of the street. The activists, who were arrested, were identified to be : Natasha Dillon (26, lesbian activist); Kevin Donohue (51, gay Jewish activist); Melissa Kleckner (31, straight ally); Ali Lozano (20, lesbian student activist); and Robert Moore (30, gay Mormon activist).

In still yet another phase of today's protests, approximately 10 drag queens from a separate group calling itself Drag Queen Weddings for Equality organised a ''drag wedding'' at Grand Central to publicise the need for marriage equality in New York State. The drag queens then invited commuters to march in solidarity to Gov. Cuomo's office.

''Unwilling to wait any longer for equal rights and protection from the state of New York, Queer Rising is calling on all the New Yorkers to call the governor’s office and voice their support for marriage equality,'' the press release stated.

The Queer New York blog has published the text of the Queer Rising press release.