New Yorkers frustrated at the impasse the same-sex marriage bill has met tonight are holding an impromptu rally in front of the historic Stonewall Inn, the scene the 1969 Stonewall riots that many see as the start of the modern day gay rights movement. Forty-two years later, New Yorkers still don’t have marriage equality. Governor Cuomo’s marriage equality bill is not a political football in a game between the church and the state. New York State Senate Republicans are trying to carve the bill into a discrimination nightmare, claiming religious exemptions are insufficient.
Via the rally’s Facebook page, Queer Rising, organizer of the rally, writes,
THE HARSH TRUTH: Progress on the Marriage Equality Bill (introduced to the NY Senate this week by Governor Cuomo) is not looking good. Advocates on the ground at Albany report that it appears the Republican caucus is leading to a stalemate, with the possibility of holding a vote unlikely (and now hinging on the hopes of extending the session to next week).
SEVERAL Queer Rising members are in Albany RIGHT NOW doing the best they can to stay informed, put pressure on the senators, and lobby support! But it doesn’t seem like it’s enough…
WE CANNOT AFFORD TO WAIT! Take your place on the right side of history and stand together! RALLY TONIGHT outside the historical Stonewall Inn declaring WE WILL NOT WAIT ANY LONGER! Please bring SIGNS and CANDLES
Additionally, call Senate Majority Leader Skelos and DEMAND he bring the vote to the floor and to allow equality under our constitution! Call 518.455.3171
(Note — The New Civil Rights Movement suggests you ask politely — not “demand.” Lawmakers have been complaining of being harassed, and one specifically said they voted “no” on the Assembly’s bill because of harassment and name-calling.)
As The New Civil Rights Movement wrote earlier today of the bill currently in the Senate, “It’s not enough that religious organizations, like the Catholic Church are exempt from having to marry same-​sex couples, and that religious, “benevolent†organizations, such as the Knights of Columbus — one of the most anti-​gay organizations around — are exempt under the bill, but Senator Ball is demanding that caterers, hotels, and florists — essentially anyone who might have anything at all to do with a wedding, should be exempt from (God Forbid!) having to do business with “the gays.â€
“Pretty soon David’s Bridal Shops, The Men’s Warehouse, and CVS’s film developing kiosk will also be included as exempt from having to do business with us, along with AT&T (brides and grooms make phone calls, right?) and Amazon​.com.”
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