ON MARRIAGE EQUALITY
From the Web, July 1,
2011
Dear New Yorker,
Earlier this week I was invited to appear on the Charlie Rose Show. I
spoke about our recent marriage equality victory in New York and wanted to share
a few excerpts with you that appeared on the editorial page of today's NY Times
(see below).
Thanks again to everyone who worked so hard –- calling, writing and emailing –-
to help make marriage equality in our city and state a reality. This
victory was only possible because we all pitched in and did everything we could
to help make New York a better, more equal place for us all.
Have a very happy, safe and relaxing 4th of July!
Best, Chris Quinn, Speaker
Speaker Quinn on
Marriage
Editorial by
Christine Quinn, NY Times
Christine Quinn, the speaker of
the New York City Council, is one of the state's most powerful politicians and
the nation's most prominent openly gay officials. On Charlie Rose's
program earlier this week, she spoke of the legalization of same-sex marriage in
personal terms. (Ms. Quinn plans to marry Kim Catullo in New York in
2012.)
The vote: "That stigma of being left out of this enormous important
institution was gone. And it was just amazing. You felt really kind
of lifted up in a way and freed in a way."
The pain of exclusion: Before, "the law actually pointed a finger at
people like me and Kim and said you're less than. Your family isn't as
good. You can say that doesn't bother you, but, of course, it does."
Their fathers: "Kim and I both lost our moms when we were both girls.
My mom died of cancer, and Kim's died of cancer. Mine died in '84 and
Kim's in '85. I want those two men to be able to go and dance and be at
their daughters' wedding. They're 84 and 85 and, God willing, they will be
with me for a long time."
The broader message: "Think of a child somewhere in New York State, or
anywhere in the country who is in their room watching TV. They see this
happen. They know they're gay. They think they're gay. They
can't tell their parents. They're terrified. They may not know
another gay person. And they see New York State, New York just say that
gay families are the same as straight families. That's something that
child will hold on to when they're bullied, hold on to when their parents don't
accept them."
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