"UnMarriage Until Gay Marriage" in NYC's Central Park

Activist 'Reverend Billy' is holding a Valentine's Day unmarriage mass ritual to support marriage equality. The protest will include hundreds of couples who will suspend their wedding vows in a mass ritual and disavow the institution of marriage until it embraces same-sex couples.

The Reverend Billy will conduct a mass sermon and tragic and hopeful love songs will be sung. Participants will receive an official unmarried certificate.

Sunday, February 14th, 2010
1pm sharp
Bethesda Angel
Central Park, 72nd st
New York, NY

All are welcome gay, straight, single or partnered. Please email unmarriage4gaymarriage@gmail.com to sign up!

Queer Rising to Protest New York City Marriage Bureau

Recently formed direct action activist group called Queer Rising will engage in civil disobedience at the New York City Marriage Bureau on Friday, February 12th.

Inside the bureau couples will attempt to apply for marriage licenses and those who support marriage equality will be rallying outside. There will also be a marriage between a gay man and lesbian to highlight the absurd notion of restricting marriage to opposite-sex couples.

Below is a video of Queer Rising's last action during MLK Day.


The protest at the New York City Marriage Bureau is on Feb 12th:

Manhattan Marriage Bureau
8:00-10:00 AM
141 Worth St.
New York, NY

For more information on the protest or to attempt a marriage license email queerrising@gmail.com

New York Marriage Inequality Protest Tonight!

After marriage equality suffered a 24-38 loss in the NY state senate, advocates are now protesting the outcome and demanding full equality for all residents.

Tonight marks the second rally in response to the vote and is organized by Marriage Equality New York. NYC Council Speaker Christine Quinn is also expected to be among the crowd. Signs and noise-makers are highly encouraged.

Thursday, December 3, 2009
6:00pm - 7:30pm
Union Square - North End (17th Street)
17th Street & Broadway
New York, NY

New York Gets Active on Behalf of Marriage Rights

New York's Governor David Patterson a strong ally committed to equality has signaled that a vote on marriage may come as early as this month! The Empire State Pride Agenda will be holding events throughout the state in an effort to re-engage people to pressure the legislature.

Below is a list of events and opportunities to help out through the state:

Buffalo

Labor Parade and Picnic – Buffalo AFL-CIO
Date: Monday, September 7
Time: Noon- 2 PM
Location: Parade begins at the corner of Abbott and Stevenson; picnic is at Cazenovia Park, Buffalo
Action: Volunteers will help circulate materials and collect letters in support of marriage and GENDA.
Contact: Todd Plank, (518) 271-2420 or (585) 880-2508, tplank@prideagenda.org

Music is Art Festival
Date: Saturday, September 12
Time: 10 AM - 10 PM
Location: Grounds outside the Albright Knox Gallery at 1285 Elmwood Ave., Buffalo
Action: Volunteers will help circulate materials and collect letters in support of marriage and GENDA.
Contact: Todd Plank, (518) 271-2420 or (585) 880-2508, tplank@prideagenda.org

Rainbow Pride Conference
Date: Saturday, September 12 and 13
Time: 11 AM - 8 PM
Location: Chautauqua Institute at 1 Ames Ave, Chautauqua
Action: Volunteers will help circulate materials and collect letters in support of marriage and GENDA.
Contact: Todd Plank, (518) 271-2420 or (585) 880-2508, tplank@prideagenda.org

Buffalo IMPACT Meeting
Date: Tuesday, September 15
Time: 6 PM
Location: Pride Center of WNY, 206 South Elmwood Ave., Buffalo
Contact: Todd Plank, (518) 271-2420 or (585) 880-2508, tplank@prideagenda.org

Primary Election Day - Polling Locations
Date: Tuesday, September 15
Time: TBA
Location: TBA
Action: Volunteers will help circulate materials and collect letters in support of marriage and GENDA.
Contact: Todd Plank, (518) 271-2420 or (585) 880-2508, tplank@prideagenda.org

Pride in the Pulpit Faith & Lay Leader Breakfast
Date: Wednesday, September 30
Time: 8:30 PM
Location: Unitarian Universalist Church of Buffalo, 695 Elmwood Ave., Buffalo
Contact: Todd Plank, (518) 271-2420 or (585) 880-2508, tplank@prideagenda.org

Capital District

Primary Election Day - Polling Locations
Date: Tuesday, September 15
Time: TBA
Location: TBA
Action: Volunteers will help circulate materials and collect letters in support of marriage and GENDA.
Contact: Ejay Carter, (518) 472-3330 ext 306 or ecarter@prideagenda.org

Phone Banking
Date: Wednesday-Friday, September 16, 17 and 18
Time: 5 – 8 PM
Location: TBD, Capital District Area
Action: Volunteers will phonebank constituents in key senate target districts to urge them to call their pivotal, crucial and influential Senators.
Contact: Sheilah Sable, (518) 472-3330 ext 303 or ssable@prideagenda.org

Larkfest
Date: Saturday, September 19
Time: 10 AM - 5:30 PM
Location: TBA (Larkfest takes place on Lark Street), Albany
Action: Volunteers will help circulate materials and collect letters in support of marriage and GENDA.
Contact: Ejay Carter, (518) 472-3330 ext 306 or ecarter@prideagenda.org

Capital District IMPACT Meeting
Date: Wednesday, September 23
Time: 6 PM
Location: Conference Room at the AFLCIO Headquarters, 100 Swan Street, Albany
Contact: Ejay Carter, (518) 472-3330 ext 306 or ecarter@prideagenda.org

Troy Night Out
Date: Friday, September 25
Time: 5 -7 PM
Location: River Street, Troy
Action: Volunteers will help circulate materials and collect letters in support of marriage and GENDA.
Contact: Ejay Carter, (518) 472-3330 ext 306 or ecarter@prideagenda.org

Central NY

New York State Fair
Date: Sunday, August 27 – Monday, September 7 (Volunteers needed to assist Stonewall Committee on all days; Pride Agenda will specifically staff the booth on September 3 from 10 AM - 2 PM)
Time: 10 AM -10 PM all days
Location: Stonewall Committee Booth, New York State Fair Grounds, 581 State Fair Blvd., Syracuse
Action: Volunteers are needed to help circulate materials and collect letters in support of marriage and GENDA at the Stonewall Committee Booth on all days of the State Fair. Check in With Stonewall Committee on all days except September 3, when the Pride Agenda will be staffing the booth.
Contact: Ejay Carter, (518) 472-3330 ext 306 or ecarter@prideagenda.org

Long Island

Pride in the Pulpit Community Meeting
Date: Wednesday, September 9
Time: 6:30 PM
Location: Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Huntington, 109 Browns Rd., Huntington
Contact: Joanna Solmonsohn, (212) 627-0305 ext 103, (516) 993-4623 or jsolmonsohn@prideagenda.org; or Kate McDonough, (212) 627-0305 or kmcdonough@prideagenda.org

LIRR Visibility Activity
Date: Wednesday, September 9
Time: 7 -8:30 AM
Location: Ronkonkoma Train Station, Smithtown Ave. and Railroad Ave.
Action: Volunteers will circulate materials and collect letters in support of marriage.
Contact: Joanna Solmonsohn, (212) 627-0305 ext 103, (516) 993-4623 or jsolmonsohn@prideagenda.org

LIRR Visibility Activity
Date: Thursday, September 10
Time: 7 AM -8:30 AM
Location: Hicksville Train Station, Newbridge Rd. and West Barclay St.
Action: Volunteers will circulate materials and collect letters in support of marriage.
Contact: Joanna Solmonsohn, (212) 627-0305 ext 103, (516) 993-4623 or jsolmonsohn@prideagenda.org

Further volunteer opportunities will be scheduled on Long Island shortly. Please contact Joanna Solmonsohn, (212) 627-0305 ext 103, (516) 993-4623 or jsolmonsohn@prideagenda.org to learn more about how you can get involved.

New York City

NYC Pride in Our Union Committee Meeting
Date: Tuesday, September 8
Time: 6:30 PM
Location: SEIU 1199, 330 W. 42nd Street, Meeting Room, 7th Floor, New York City
Contact: Sheilah Sable, (518) 472-3330 ext 303 or ssable@prideagenda.org

Express Bus Letter Collection
Date: Wednesday, September 9
Time: 6 – 8 PM
Location: 23rd Street & Madison Avenue (Midtown)
Action: Volunteers will help collect letters in support of marriage.
Contact: Matthew Brunner, (212) 627-0305 or mbrunner@prideagenda.org

Express Bus Letter Collection
Date: Thursday, September 10
Time: 6 – 8 PM
Location: TBD
Action: Volunteers will help collect letters in support of marriage.
Contact: Matthew Brunner, (212) 627-0305 or mbrunner@prideagenda.org

NYC Labor Day March
Date: Saturday, September 12
Time: 11 AM
Location: Near 5th Avenue and 44th Street
Action: Volunteers will be collecting letters in support of marriage and GENDA.
Contact: Matthew Brunner, (212) 627-0305 or mbrunner@prideagenda.org

Primary Election Day - Polling Locations
Date: Tuesday, September 15
Time: TBA
Location: TBA
Action: Volunteers will help circulate materials and collect letters in support of marriage and GENDA.
Contact: Kate McDonough, (212) 627-0305 ext 106 or kmcdonough@prideagenda.org

Pride in the Pulpit Faith Leaders of Color Meeting
Date: Wednesday, September 16
Time: 6 PM
Location: Middle Collegiate Church, 50 East 7th Street, Social Hall
Contact: Kate McDonough, (212) 627-0305 ext 106 or kmcdonough@prideagenda.org

Phone Banking
Date: Wednesday, September 16
Time: 5:30 – 8:30 PM
Location: TBD
Action: Volunteers will phonebank constituents in key senate target districts to urge them to call their pivotal, crucial and influential Senators.
Contact: Kate McDonough, (212) 627-0305 ext 106 or kmcdonough@prideagenda.org

Phone Banking
Date: Thursday, September 17 and Monday, September 21
Time: 5:30– 8:30 PM
Location: Empire State Pride Agenda office, 16 W 22nd St., 2nd Fl
Action: Volunteers will phonebank constituents in key senate target districts to urge them to call their pivotal, crucial and influential Senators.
Contact: Kate McDonough, (212) 627-0305 ext 106 or kmcdonough@prideagenda.org

Staten Island

Letter Collecting at Q Bar and Grill
Date: Friday, September 4
Time: 7:30 – 10 PM
Location: Q LGBT Night Club, 632 Midland Avenue, Staten Island
Action: Volunteers will help collect letters in support of marriage.
Contact: Matthew Brunner, (212) 627-0305 or mbrunner@prideagenda.org

Brooklyn

West Indian Parade/Carnival
Date: Monday, September 7
Time: 9:30 AM – 1 PM
Location: Buffalo Avenue & Eastern Parkway, Brooklyn
Action: Volunteers will help collect letters in support of marriage and GENDA.
Contact: Matthew Brunner, (212) 627-0305 or mbrunner@prideagenda.org

Queens

Clergy Breakfast
Come for a discussion on LGBT equality & expanding the LGBT faith-based movement in Queens.
Date: Tuesday, September 22
Time: 8:30 AM
Location: Church of the Redeemer, 30-14 Crescent Street, Astoria
Contact: Matthew Brunner, (212) 627-0305 or mbrunner@prideagenda.org

Rochester

Museum of Science
Date: Tuesday, September 8
Time: 5 – 6 PM
Location: 657 East Ave., Rochester
Action: Volunteers will help circulate materials and collect letters in support of marriage and GENDA.
Contact: Todd Plank, (518) 271-2420 or (585) 880-2508, tplank@prideagenda.org

Clothesline Art Festival
Date: Saturday and Sunday, September 12 and 13
Time: Saturday, 10 AM - 6 PM;, Sunday, 10 AM - 5 PM
Location: Memorial Art Gallery of U of R, 500 University Ave., Rochester
Action: Volunteers will help circulate materials and collect letters in support of marriage and GENDA.
Contact: Todd Plank, (518) 271-2420 or (585) 880-2508, tplank@prideagenda.org

Primary Election Day - Polling Locations
Date: Tuesday, September 15
Time: TBA
Location: TBA
Action: Volunteers will help circulate materials and collect letters in support of marriage and GENDA.
Contact: Todd Plank, (518) 271-2420 or (585) 880-2508, tplank@prideagenda.org

Rochester IMPACT Meeting
Date: Wednesday, September 16
Time: 6:30 PM
Location: Downtown United Presbyterian Church, 121 North Fitzhugh St., Rochester
Contact: Todd Plank, (518) 271-2420 or (585) 880-2508, tplank@prideagenda.org

Pride in the Pulpit Faith & Lay Leader Breakfast
Date: Tuesday, September 22
Time: 8:30 AM
Location: First Universalist Church of Rochester, 150 South Clinton Ave., Rochester
Contact: Todd Plank, (518) 271-2420 or (585) 880-2508, tplank@prideagenda.org

Southern Tier

Labor Picnic in Stewart Park
Date: Monday, September 7
Time: Noon – 2 PM
Location: Stewart Park, Gardner Parkway, Ithaca
Action: Volunteers will help circulate materials and collect letters in support of marriage and GENDA.
Contact: Ejay Carter, (518) 472-3330 ext 306 or ecarter@prideagenda.org

Letter Collecting in Finger Lakes Region
Date: Saturday, September 12
Time: TBA
Location: Cayuga Lake
Action: Volunteers will help circulate materials and collect letters in support of marriage and GENDA.
Contact: Ejay Carter, (518) 472-3330 ext 306 or ecarter@prideagenda.org

Primary Election Day - Polling Locations
Date: Tuesday, September 15
Time: TBA
Location: TBA
Action: Volunteers will help circulate materials and collect letters in support of marriage and GENDA.
Contact: Ejay Carter, (518) 472-3330 ext 306 or ecarter@prideagenda.org

SPECTRA’s 6th Annual Film Event
Date: Saturday, September 19
Time: 5:00 - 7 PM
Location: Corning Museum of Glass (Auditorium), 1 Museum Way, Corning
Action: Volunteers will help circulate materials and collect letters in support of marriage and GENDA.
Contact: Ejay Carter, (518) 472-3330 ext 306 or ecarter@prideagenda.org

Ithaca Apple Harvest Festival
Date: Friday and Saturday, September 25-26
Time: Noon-6:30 PM
Location: Commons, Ithaca
Action: Volunteers will help circulate materials and collect letters in support of marriage and GENDA.
Contact: Ejay Carter, (518) 472-3330 ext 306 or ecarter@prideagenda.org

Rally To Protest Gay Bashings in Queens, New York

The New York City Anti-Violence Project, an LGBT advocacy organization devoted to the prevention of violence will rally in Queens, New York to protest the rising numbers of queer bashing's in the area. Over 80 queer bashing's have been documented this summer alone.

2 p.m. in front of the Jackson Heights Post Office at 37th Ave. and 78th St.

Kenneth Cole Makes LGBT Pride Fashionable

Fashion designer Kenneth Cole is celebrating LGBT pride month as part of their "AWEARNESS" campaign with a unisex t-shirt for same-sex marriage. The t-shirt reads "Those Against Gay Marriage Aren't Thinking Straight. (Or Are They?)"

100% of the net proceeds from t-shirt sales will benefit the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) the largest LGBT advocacy organization in the United States.

Click here to purchase your own limited edition Kenneth Cole HRC Tee

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Kenneth Cole New York is also holding host events in five cities- Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, Chicago and Dallas- during Gay Pride Week. On the designated nights, 20% of the evening’s proceeds will be donated to The Human Rights Campaign.

Los Angeles June 12, 2009 4-9pm Kenneth Cole New York Store, Beverly Center
New York June 26, 2009 4-9pm Kenneth Cole New York Store, Soho, 595 Broadway
Chicago June 26, 2009 4-9pm Kenneth Cole New York Store, Chicago 540 North Michigan Ave
Dallas June 26, 2009 4-8pm Kenneth Cole New York Store, Dallas North Park
San Francisco June 26, 2009 4-8pm Kenneth Cole New York Store, 166 Grant Avenue

New York City Rally for Marriage Equality 5.17.09

For more info or to distribute fliers goto Broadway Impact.

New York City Funding Refusal Threatens Welfare of Thousands of Homeless LGBTQ Youth

The following is a press release from Sylvia's Place:

The New York City Department of Youth and Community Development (DYCD) has failed to consider $253,718 in funding for Sylvia’s Place, a project of MCCNY Homeless Youth Services, thus jeopardizing the welfare of over 1,000 homeless and runaway LGBTQ youth in the coming year who would rely on Sylvia’s Place services.

The refusal follows DYCD claims that all Runaway and Homeless Youth (RHY) Drop-In Center proposals in Manhattan had been eliminated from consideration for funding in fiscal year 2010. DYCD also rejected a continued funding request from Bronx Community Pride Center, who has also been offering DYCD-funded drop-in services to LGBTQ youth for the past four years. DYCD slashed funding by 2/3 for Green Chimneys, which operates a transitional housing program for LGBT youth. DYCD also severely cut funds for Safe Horizon's Streetworks Lower East Side and Streetworks Overnight, which serve 35%-40% LGBTQ youth.

"In 2008, Ali Forney Center, which provides drop-in services to LGBTQ youth from its facilities in Chelsea, was subject to a similar funding refusal by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene," said MCCNY Charities Executive Director William Morán-Berberena.

MCCNY Homeless Youth Services operates Sylvia’s Place, which currently provides 1/3 of the city’s existing beds for LGBTQ homeless and runaway youth, who face harassment, violence and discrimination at mainstream shelters. Without DYCD funding, the LGBTQ youth waiting on transitional beds at the Ali Forney Center and Green Chimneys—a process which can take a long time—will be forced back to the streets.

“Losing contact with at-risk youth will mean that we will be unable to locate them when their names come up on months-long waiting lists,” said MCCNY Homeless Youth Services Director Lucky S. Michaels. “We will also be unable to ensure that the youth receive the services—food, medical care, and shelter—they need, and the assistance they require to avoid future interactions with law enforcement.”

Of the nearly 3.800 youth who are homeless in New York City every night, over 1080 identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender, according to a 2007 study by the Empire State Coalition of Youth and Family Services. Sylvia’s Place currently houses 26 of the only 75 beds for LGBTQ homeless youth in the city.

“Without DYCD funding for drop-in centers in Manhattan, all Sylvia’s Place’s programs are at great risk of closing, reducing the LGBTQ bed per client ration to well below 2007 levels.,” said the Reverend Pat Bumgardner, Senior Pastor of the Metropolitan Community Church of New York.

"The recurrence of these city funding refusals to LGBTQ-specific social service organizations brings into question not only the welfare of the City’s LGBTQ community but also the willingness of city agencies to protect LGBTQ New Yorkers," said Morán-Berberena.

Tell the DYCD and City Council that the futures of LGBTQ homeless youth matter! Forward this message to your press and network contacts and get the word out that LGBTQ youth are at risk of losing vital services!

TAKE ACTION:

Daniel Symon, DYCD Chief Contracting Officer
dsymon@dycd.nyc.gov

Jeanne B. Mullgrav, Commissioner DYCD
jmullgrav@dycd.nyc.gov

New York Asexual Meetup Group

The first gathering of the newly organized New York asexual meetup group will be in Manhattan.

Sat. 2/14 at 6:00 at the Washington Square Diner (W. 4th slightly East of 6th St).

The group will try to sit at a front table.
To find out more info or to find a meetup in your area check out the Meetup Mart.

Coalition to Stop False Arrests of Gay Men in NYC

There has been an epidemic in New York City of false arrests of gay men under the guise that they were solicited by prostitutes who were really undercover cops. Several adult porn shops and bookstores catering to men have been the target of the New York Police Dept. It is said that an attractive officer is sent to flirt with middle-aged gay men. The allegations are that the officer entices the man to have sex with him, and just before they leave the shop the officer says he wants to pay the man for sexual favors. Without knowing whether the man would agree to payment, the police surround the man and accuse him with attempt to do business with a prostitute.

Christine Quinn the NYC Council Speaker has called these “false arrests.” This raises serious questions as to why the NYPD is targeting gay adult shops, and why they are arresting people under these charges. The LGBT community has faced scrutiny from the police before, including bar raids, and trans-women being accused of prostitution simply for the way they dress and express themselves.

Outrage Over False Arrests Rally
Saturday, Feb 21st, 4pm Sheridan Sq, Christopher & Grove Sts.

For more info and to get involved please contact:

Coalition to Stop the Arrests
Robert Pinter, Coordinator
212-674-3495
STOPTHEARRESTS@aol.com