Gay Marriages Celebrate Marriage Equality

Unlike Cinderella, for gay couples in New York State last night's stroke of midnight was a good thing. From Niagara Falls to Long Island marriages were performed as close to midnight as possible in a good-natured scramble to be "first." Among the newlyweds were couples who had been together for decades and couples who were in the early stages of commitment.

I celebrate with them as I privately give tribute to a dear friend who did not live to see this day. To a man who loved his partner through sickness and health until death parted them and yet was never able to emerge from the closet of subterfuge and euphemism that his religion and training had constructed around him. A man who lived a difficult life with courage and fortitude. I will not speak his name here. I have no right to break the silence he kept so painfully while he lived.

But in his memory I rejoice that others can choose openly what he could not.

Badgering by Marriage Equality Oponent PAC Unabated

The National Organization for Marriage continues its barrage of phony survey calls - an average of 3 or 4 a day. This mean-spirited organization - headquartered in Princeton, New Jersey and supported by prominent clergy of the Catholic Church - are trying to thwart the wishes of the New York State electorate with their campaign against the Marriage Equality Act.

http://www.nationformarriage.org/site/c.omL2KeN0LzH/b.3836955/k.BEC6/Home.htm As is seen in this link to their website, they are targeting New York State Republican Senators in a vicious campaign of intimidation and propaganda.

The repeated robo calls end with their address - 20 Nassau Street, Suite 242, Princeton, NJ 08542 and their phone number - 609-688-0450. Attempts to call that number have yet to meet with anything but a busy signal, which I desperately HOPE means their lines are being tied up by folks as angry with their campaign as I am..

It is past time to remind the religious right in this country that the United States was not founded as a theocracy but with a First Amendment that was a response to the failed example of European theocracy. They are welcome to their religious views until the moment when they attempt to enforce those views on non-believers..

I plead with the targeted NYS Senators to stand up for their constituents and ignore the intimidation and scare tactics of this despicable group.

Telephone Badgering by Gay Marriage Opponent PAC

For weeks two to three calls a day from the National Organization for Marriage have disrupted my days and raised my blood pressure. The group purports to be conducting a "survey," but their agenda is revealed in the very first question they ask. Unfortunately they are robo calls so no one at the other end hears my explosion of anger each time they call.

Today I Googled them and found the following article: http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/2011/06/12/2011-06-12_taking_aim_at_gay_nups_pour_cash_into_ny_in_defense_of_marriage.html

To me, these appear to be the same kinds of folks that are trying to put Planned Parenthood out of business and deprive low income women of desperately needed health services. I sincerely hope my State Senator, Stephen Saland, disregards their pressure and heeds the wishes of constituents like myself who believe the time has come to end the discrimination.

If a religion opposes gay marriage, I believe they have a right not to perform them. Their congregants have the choice to observe their restrictions or walk. But no religion has the right to regulate the lives of non-members.

Last November the Republicans won massive victories at the polls by campaigning for fiscal responsibility and jobs, jobs, jobs. Since elected the only job program they have offered is the already proven failure of more tax cuts. On the other hand, they have consistently, loudly and effectively legislated against the social issues they disingenuously downplayed during the election. Why were these social issues downplayed? Because the candidates knew they would garner far less support among the powerful block of independent voters if they were emphasized.

We repeatedly heard the Tea Party claim it was about fiscal responsibility. Since the election I have seen miserable attempts at fiscal responsibility that concentrate on increasing the burden of the most financially stricken among us, but highly effective attacks on entitlements, stimulus, unions, women's rights, gay rights, regulation of the corporate overlords.

As for the National Organization for Marriage, read my lips: SHUT UP.