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.

Empty Words Make Sen. Gillibrand an Unwitting Ally of the Far Right

Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand - Election Day Victory Party - LGBT Civil Rights Fast Protest for Gay Rights

While Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand held a victory party inside the Sheraton Hotel and Towers in Midtown Manhattan, LGBT protesters gathered outside to ask the Honourable Senator to file the American Equality Bill.

Among the protesters was Alan Bounville, who began a water-only fast on the very day, November 2, 2010. Mr. Bounville has said that he would stop eating until Sen. Gillibrand would file the American Equality Bill or similar legislation, or make a public statement of her intention to file such a bill, which would add ''sexual orientation'' and ''gender identity'' to the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

Almost as soon as they arrived, police asked the Civil Rights Fast protesters to change locations on the sidewalk, and then, as captured on camera, undercover security interrogated the protesters, who were outside the Sheraton Hotel and Towers, with threats of arrest, if any protesters were found to be attending the victory party.

To help end the Civil Rights Fast, please call Sen. Gilibrand and ask her to file the American Equality Bill. Call : 1-212-688-6262. For more information, please visit : http://www.civilrightsfast.com. Meanwhile, inside the Sheraton, Sen. Gillibrand once again said she supported extending civil rights. When is she going to file the American Equality Bill ?

Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand Victory Speech (11/2/2010)

LGBT Civil Rights Messages to Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand

CivilRightsFast.com Messages to Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand and LGBT Activists and Allies

Monday, November 1, 2010, was the day when activists, who had organised the QueerSOS! vigil outside Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand's campaign office, would transition into a fast for LGBT civil rights.

One activist, Alan Bounville, was set to begin a water-only fast beginning on Tuesday, November 2, and he has said that he would remain fasting until draft legislation known as the American Equality Bill would be filed by Sen. Gillibrand.

LGBT activists and allies are supporting the American Equality Bill, draft legislation, which, if passed, would add ''sexual orientation'' and ''gender identity'' to the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The American Equality Bill would, as one legal act, end major forms of discrimination against LGBT Americans.

Some of the LGBT activists, who were present for Day 36 of the QueerSOS! vigil, shared some thoughts about the need for civil rights for LGBT Americans, based on the de jure and de facto discrimination that takes place in America each day.

In October, the city council of South Bend, Indiana, voted down a proposed ordinance that would have extended employment discrimination protection to gays and lesbians. Recently, the Obama administration appealed a court ruling that outlawed the military policy of ''Don't Ask, Don't Tell.'' To LGBT Americans, the president's appeal looks like he is trying to keep in force a military policy that enforces discrimination against LGBT Americans who serve in the armed forces. Only a handful of states even recognise marriage between LGBT partners.