Wedding March Crosses the Brooklyn Bridge Again on Sunday (Today!)

By Paul Schindler-

 Marriage Equality New York, the grassroots group that began the fight for full marriage rights for gay and lesbian couples here more than a decade ago, hosts its seventh annual Wedding March this coming Sunday, September 26, beginning at noon in Foley Square downtown.

The event, aimed at raising public awareness of the 1,324 rights and responsibilities currently denied to same-sex couples and their families — just under state law, never mind federal statute — includes a rally in Foley Square, a march across the Brooklyn Bridge, and a community festival in the County of Kings.

More than 100 community organizations are joining with MENY in planning and carrying out this year’s Wedding March. The community festival in Brooklyn will be hosted by Appolonia InNyc Cruz and Tyra Allure.

MENY is also holding Wedding Marches in Buffalo and Rochester on Sunday, and an event in the Albany area on Saturday, October 16. A Wedding March across San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge September 26 is being held by Marriage Equality USA.

Governor David A. Paterson's marriage equality bill, which has been passed by the State Assembly three times, was defeated in the State Senate last December by a 38-24 vote, with eight Democrats joining every Republican in voting no. LGBT advocates have focused their efforts in the recent Democratic primary and in the upcoming November election on replacing anti-equality senators with those prepared to support the community.

With the election this past march of then-Assemblyman José Peralta to fill the seat vacated by Hiram Monserrate, an anti-equality Queens Democrat expelled after a domestic violence conviction, the number of votes needed to be flipped fell to seven, and the likely election of Assemblyman Michael Gianaris in the seat opening up due to the retirement of Queens Democrat George Onorato, another no vote, would mean one more vote for the bill.

Buffalo Democrat William Stachowski, who voted against the bill, lost his primary race against marriage equality supporter Tim Kennedy, but Kennedy still faces a Republican opponent in November.

Some Democrats and Republicans who voted no last year are also thought to be potential yes votes should advocates demonstrate a stronger tally of committed supporters.

Registration for the Brooklyn Bridge march can be done online or in Foley Square Park beginning at 10 a.m. Sunday (1, 2, 3, A, C, E trains to Chambers St.; 4, 5, 6, R, W trains to City Hall). If you need a map, here it is.


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