HRC Blog

Yesterday thousands of New Yorkers attended the Action=Marriage Equality Rally in midtown Manhattan. The rally was organized by HRC, Broadway Impact, and Broadway Cares/Equity Fights Aids (BC/EFA) to give every New Yorkers one thing to do between now and June 20th: Call your New York State Senator. Gavin Creel, Rory O'Malley, and Jenny Kanelos formed Broadway Impact to help mobilize the Broadway community to take action for marriage equality. The four of us sat down 9 days ago when we heard the opposition was planning a rally outside Governor Paterson's office in NYC and decided we needed a response. We wanted something positive that gave everyone who attended the rally one single action: Call your New York State Senator. That first meeting seems like a lifetime ago because the response we received from everyone about this rally was so overwhelming, and we knew we had our work cut our for us. The entire cast of HAIR signed on to support the rally immediately, as did the two lead sponsors of the bill from both Chambers; Assemblyman O'Donnell who lead the bill through the Assembly with more votes this time than he had two years ago, and Senator Tom Duane the lead sponsor of the bill in the NY State Senate. Shortly after we heard word that Broadway legend Audrey McDonald, Cynthia Nixon, Kristin Davis, Cheyenne Jackson, and David Hyde Pierce would be joining the list of speakers and performers. The next day, City Council Speaker Christine Quinn told us she would be there once again to show her unrelenting support. On Friday, May 15 my phone rang and it was Mayor Michael Bloomberg's office informing me that he would be there to make sure every New Yorker knew that now is the time for marriage equality. Needless to say all of us were ecstatic that so many people were lending their support to make this rally a true success. At 11pm on Saturday May 16, I got the final word that we would be joined by Empire State's Governor David Paterson, who just weeks ago introduced the marriage equality bill. [caption id="attachment_7685" align="alignleft" width="209" caption="Cheyenne Jackson"][/caption] Word spread fast that our Governor would be there, and when I walked up to the corner of 44th and 6th Avenue at 3pm people were already lining up for a prime spot, even though the rally was not scheduled to start for another 2 hours. As the crowd grew, the chants started: "What do we want?" "Marriage Equality!" "When do we want it?" "NOW!!!". Religious leaders, families, political leaders, and straight allies poured into the streets to show their support and hear performances from Broadways greatest. Senator Tom Duane took the stage first and drove home the message that marriage equality will be a reality in NY State and the crowd cheered. The moment Senator Duane started the Governor's introduction you could barely hear him the crowd was screaming and cheering so loud for our biggest advocate. The Governor took the stage and immediately thanked HRC, Broadway Impact, and BC/EFA for making this great day possible. He then drove home the point of the day to the crowd. Governor Paterson explained that in order to see this marriage bill become a reality every New Yorker must contact their Senator and urge them to pass the bill. [caption id="attachment_7691" align="alignright" width="358" caption="Cynthia Nixon"][/caption] The speakers and performances were all spectacular and inspired. There was not one person at the rally or watching from home that did not understand that yesterday's rally started the clock for the NY State Senate. There are 34 days left and New York must take action if we want to see marriage equality. The rally was a great showing of political leaders and stars, but the rest is up to us. At the end of this legislative cycle all New Yorkers will have to ask themselves, "did I do all I could have done to make marriage equality a reality?" Take time New York and call your Senator. If you do not know who your Senator is click here. Call you Senator and say: "My name is _____. I live in your district and want you to vote YES on the marriage bill (S:4401). Thank you." It is that easy.... [caption id="attachment_7686" align="aligncenter" width="448" caption="Gov. Paterson with event organizers"][/caption]