President Bill Clinton Endorses Marriage Equality Legislation in New York

by Admin

Clinton: Achieving a 'More Perfect Union' Includes Marriage Equality

Washington - As New York state lawmakers returned to Albany this week, the Human Rights Campaign released a statement by President Bill Clinton supporting marriage equality legislation. Supporters of marriage equality are pushing for a vote this legislative session, which ends in June.

Mr. Clinton's statement - secured last week by HRC - reads in full:

Mr. Clinton's endorsement comes as a record 58 percent of New Yorkers support committed gay and lesbian couples getting married. This unprecedented level of support comes from every region of the state, every age group, and is clearly bipartisan. Prominent New York business leaders recently wrote a letter making the case that marriage equality is good for business.

"There is enormous momentum right now all across the state for marriage equality," said Joe Solmonese, HRC President. "We are grateful to President Clinton for adding his voice to the mainstream majority who support loving couples getting married in New York."

HRC is leading New Yorkers for Marriage Equality, a campaign centered on video testimonials from New Yorkers who support marriage equality. HRC is also a member of New Yorkers United for Marriage, the new coalition dedicated to seeing marriage become a reality in the Empire State.

"What we're fighting for is pretty simple," said Brian Ellner, HRC's Senior Strategist in New York. "We want to make sure gay and lesbian couples have the freedom to make a lifelong commitment to the person they love. Nothing says family like marriage."

Governor Andrew Cuomo, a longtime LGBT advocate, has repeatedly affirmed his commitment to marriage equality.

The Human Rights Campaign is America's largest civil rights organization working to achieve lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender equality. By inspiring and engaging all Americans, HRC strives to end discrimination against LGBT citizens and realize a nation that achieves fundamental fairness and equality for all.

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