Despite the setback of California’s Proposition 8 in which the religious right out maneuvered the progressive community and managed to convince a majority of voters that somehow marriage equality meant the end of the world as we know it, steady progress is being made.  Five states (Massachusetts, Connecticut, Maine, Iowa, Vermont) have already passed laws ensuring that all couples, straight or gay have equal rights under the law and New Hampshire’s governor has said he will soon sign the marriage equality law passed by its legislature.  Without the explicit protection of legally recognized marriage, committed couples and families in the gay community will continue to face discrimination in health care, child rearing, housing, education, banking, estate taxes – virtually every aspect of society that recognizes the institution of marriage.  Recognizing this civil right will have absolutely no affect on those of us outside the gay community except to know that we have finally moved one step closer to equality and justice for all.  Marriage Equality legislation has passed the NYS Assembly in Albany (as it did in 2007) and is strongly supported by Governor Patterson and many other prominent NY politicians (e.g., Mayor Bloomberg).  All that’s in the way of enacting this legislation as law in NY State is passage in the State Senate.  There are another six weeks remaining in this year’s session and lots of people have taken on the challenging task of convincing the Senate to pass the bill.

 

To this end, Broadwayimpact.com, led by actors and behind the scenes technical staff organized a rally for marriage equality in NYC on May 17, 2009.  Not surprisingly, the production values were Tony nomination quality.  The art direction was top notch - posters were suitable for framing (perhaps they will become available as a means to raise funds).  Sound engineering was spot on – we got there early and the sound crew was busy doing their thing to make sure that the crowd that stretched for blocks could all hear the music and speakers.  Even Mother Nature got an award nomination (lighting?) for holding off the rain that threatened all day.