Take Action for Marriage Equality in New York

Governor David Patterson has announced the introduction of a marriage equality bill within New York state. A previous bill under governor Eliot Spitzer passed the state house but was not allowed to come up for a vote in the then republican controlled senate.

New York now needs to pass the bill again within the assembly and to garner enough votes to pass the bill within the senate. The governor will then sign the bill into law making New York the next state to have full marriage rights for same-sex couples.



Sign the Empire State Pride Agenda's E-contact Form to urge your representatives to go on record supporting marriage equality.

Kirsten Gillibrand to Replace NY Senator Hillary Clinton

There has been a lot of talk as to who Governor David Patterson will select to fill the now vacant seat of Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton. The Governor will select congresswoman Kirsten Gillibrand to become the next New York state senator.

There have been conflicting reports as to where Congresswoman Gillibrand stands on LGBT issues. With some reports saying that she supports federal civil unions legislation but not marriage equality, and others saying she does not support a repeal of the Don't Ask Don't Tell policy. She is considered a "blue dog democrat" who has an 80% rating from the Human Rights Campaign and supports gun rights, who has had a more conservative record due to the nature of her district where she needed to get elected.

However, via Towleroad we now learn that New York's LGBT rights organization the Empire State Pride Agenda has only accolade for the incoming senator...

Last night likely Senate pick Kirsten Gillibrand spoke to Empire State Pride Agenda Executive Director Alan Van Capelle about issues important to New York’s lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community

"After talking to Kirsten Gillibrand, I am very happy to say that New York is poised to have its first U.S. Senator who supports marriage equality for same-sex couples. She also supports the full repeal of the federal DOMA (Defense of Marriage Act) law, repeal of Don’t Ask Don’t Tell (DADT) and passage of legislation outlawing discrimination against transgender people. While we had a productive discussion about a whole range of LGBT concerns, I was particularly happy to hear where she stands on these issues."

Below is the contact information should you wish to correspond with the incoming senator.

Click here for an E-contact Form.

120 Cannon House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
Phone: (202) 225-5614
Fax: (202) 225-1168

NY Dem Senate Candidate Now Favors Marriage Equality

Joe Mesi (D) is running for the state senate seat in New York. He previously announced he was opposed to same-sex marriage but now has gone 180 on his position and announced he supports equal marriage rights for gay and lesbian couples.

This is a significant development within New York politics. The house has approved a gay marriage bill and Governor Patterson is eager to sign it. The current barrier to passing this legislation is the republican dominated senate. The GOP currently has a 31-29 slim majority. With many seats up for grabs and the majority leader Joseph Bruno (R) retiring, this could pave the way for a democratically controlled senate.

If the democrats pick up the senate this November we could very likely see a marriage bill come before the house. While not all New York state democratic senate members support marriage equality, the N.Y. democratic platform does support same-sex marriage.

If Joe Mesi gets elected it will enhance our chances of winning true marriage equality in the state.

Endorsed by the Stonewall Democrats and supported by gay philanthropists, please be sure to drop a thank you email to Joe Mesi for support marriage equality.

2001 Niagara Fall Blvd
Amherst, NY 14228
phone: 716-625-9013

New York Recognizes Out of State Same-Sex Marriages

Thanks to the leadership of Governor David Patterson, New York State will recognize out of state Same-Sex Marriages within New York. (CNN)

Please contact the Governor to thank him for his leadership on the issue and commitment to equal rights for the LGBTQ community.

E-Contact Form for Governor Paterson

To Write To The Governor:
David A. Paterson
State Capitol
Albany, NY 12224

Phone: 518-474-8390