Posts Tagged: gay marriage New York

Democrat / Heroes / North America / Politicians / Religion / Surprising Marriage Equality Supporters — 1 Comment
29
Jun 11

HERO: ANDREW CUOMO

Andrew Cuomo with his daughters at New York Pride this weekend

Andrew Cuomo with his daughters at New York Pride this weekend

It’s been a long while since I listed a “hero” on these pages, but New York Governor Andrew Cuomo definitely deserves the title. Like Tony Blair, he’s realised the magic feeling and feedback that comes with granting civil rights. A cynic who found his heart, a straight guy who went to the wall for us, someone who never gave up on bringing two sides of politics together. And a Catholic who stood up to his Church hierarchy … it’s the sort of thing they make movies and Presidential bids out of.

So here it is, my favourite columnist’s (Maureen Dowd) profile of the guy who steps up to join Gavin Newsom as the United State’s leading political advocate for equality…. Now we just need one other guy with an inspiration story to find his guts again.

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Celebrities / Conservatives / North America / Republican / Surprising Marriage Equality Supporters — No Comments
28
Jun 11

LEADING U.S. CONSERVATIVE BACKFLIPS

David Frum

David Frum

Very interesting and gratifying piece here on CNN by David Frum, a man more often associated with inventing Republican catch-cries like the “axis of evil.”

My favorite line, where he tells conservatives to go find another cause for family instability in the U.S.

“Whatever is driving this negative trend, it seems more than implausible to connect it to same-sex marriage. How would it even work that a 15-year-old girl in Van Nuys, California, becomes more likely to have a baby because two men in Des Moines, Iowa, can marry?”

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North America / Politicians / Republican / Surprising Marriage Equality Supporters — No Comments
27
May 11

MIKE BLOOMBERG GUNS BLAZING

Michael Bloomberg at New York pride

Photo credit: Janet Mayer

The Mayor of New York City did not hold back yesterday is his effort to get New York lawmakers to vote for equality.  He gave personal testimony, used family examples and suggested that people voting no to equality would be remembered alongside those who supported slavery!

“The question for every New York state lawmaker is: Do you want to be remembered as a leader on civil rights? Or an obstructionist? On matters of freedom and equality, history has not remembered obstructionists kindly,”
Read more here.

Bloomberg cited New York as the birthplace of the gay rights movement. That’s not quite right – Denmark for one had an active gay rights group at least 10 years earlier, but he makes a good point. New York is the biggest, the best, the first, the most open … but not for gay marriage.

So buck up New Yorkers. Time to get equal

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Civil Union / North America — 4 Comments
14
Feb 11

CIVIL UNIONS: WORSE THAN NOTHING?

I am not sure we could say that civil unions in and of themselves are a backward step, but that is indeed what is argued in this piece from Noah Baron in the Huffington Post. I get that back civil unions is usually a cop out that lets people off the hook from arguing for or implementing full equality. In that sense they can be a strategic wrecking ball and an annoying halfway house. But we can’t just dismiss civil unions. Why? Some people don’t want to marry, but do want a legal security and a form of recognition. As long as they also actively support my right to marry – let them be civilly united.

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Celebrities / North America / Personal Stories / Politicians — No Comments
17
Jan 11

HOT FOR CHANGE IN NYC

Christine Quinn, Erik Bottcher

Well it looks like our favourite newly engaged power couple – Sean Eldridge and Chris Hughes, won’t have to wait too long to tie the knot at home.

Novice New York Governor Andrew Cuomo is getting serious about his promise to marriage equality to New York in 2011… he’s just appointed Erik Bottcher to a new ‘gay’ Cabinet position to get the ball rolling.

Cuomo’s team is at pains to point out Erik’s intellect and experience in their press statements – could that be because everyone who sees this picture immediately thinks “hot!” ??

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Global / Jokes / Miscellaneous / North America / Video — 1 Comment
14
Oct 10

COOLEST, PINKEST VIDEO EVER: FCKH8.COM

I can’t imagine this winning over people in Utah, Warsaw or country Queensland … but it did lift my spirits!

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Celebrities / Lesbian / Marriage / North America — No Comments
9
Oct 10

KILLER LINE FROM CYNTHIA NIXON

This is just brilliant stuff.

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Celebrities / North America / Politicians — No Comments
4
Oct 10

WATCH: ROSIE PEREZ UPS THE LATINA FIGHT

I have to admit I haven’t thought of Rosie Perez for nearly 20 years.  But I am glad she pushed her way back into our thoughts this week.

Here’s her pitch to New Yorkers – straight Latina in particular – to fight-back on equality.

Of course I’d agree with her. But I think everyone sees the irony of the ‘capital of the world’ being behind places like Iowa, Belgium, South Africa and their northern neighbours.  Get with the program, Albany!

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Celebrities / North America / Role models — No Comments
16
Sep 10

STARS FOR GAY MARRIAGE

celebrity chef Tom Colicchio

Tom Colicchio by David Shankbone

It can be annoying to think that the views of celebrities are somehow more important than ordinary folk … on the other hand, we don’t want them opposing gay marriage, do we?

And besides, you guys do seem to flock here when their photos go up.

So … it is my duty to inform you that a range of celebrities are lining up to support the introduction of gay marriage into New York state. The latest signatory is the celebrity chef Tom Colicchio will join the likes of Mayor Michael Bloomberg, actors  Julianne Moore and Kyra Sedgwick, and the omnipotent Al Sharpton in ads supporting same-sex marriage . As far as I can tell, they are all straight, so even better to have their support.

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