MENY CELEBRATES ELECTION RESULTS FOR SENATE, WHILE AWAITING FATE OF PROP 8

MEDIA CONTACTS:
Ron Zacchi, Executive Director, 646-660-1906 or ron@meny.us
Cathy Marino-Thomas, President of the Board (516)302-5198 or cathy@meny.us

New York – MENY is dedicated to passing gender neutral marriage laws in New York State. "As a result of the unprecedented shift in the New York State Senate, we finally have a Senate Majority Leader that will bring marriage equality to the floor. This opportunity will allow our families the to work with the State Senate, as we did with the State Assembly when they passed the bill in 2007.” says Marriage Equality New York’s, Cathy Marino-Thomas.

For California, less than six months after the Supreme Court ruled same-sex couples have the right to marry, prop 8 is being decided in this election- a vote that would write hate into California's Constitution. Whatever the eventual outcome, California has come so far and we all will continue to fight this issue together. “Basic human rights should not depend on the popular vote,” said Marriage Equality New York’s, Cathy Marino-Thomas. “If civil rights required a majority vote first, history confirms that many states would not have voted to allow interracial couples to marry. If Prop 8 passes, California will have failed in their role to ensure equality under the law for all families.”

“We, in New York State, are ready to join in as leaders in the marriage movement.” says Ron Zacchi, Executive Director of Marriage Equality New York (MENY). NYS Senate election results, as well as the re-election of Republican Assemblymembers who supported gender neutral marriage laws, sends a clear message that the people of New York are supporting those that support equality!” Nationally, the New York State Senate and MENY can work to join the ranks of equality states like Massachusetts, Connecticut, and California in the civil rights movement of our century.

“We will not be content until full marriage equality for all families is the law in this country! However, today we celebrate the chance to get to the floor of the Senate in New York State!" said Zacchi.
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Marriage Equality New York is an all inclusive organization whose mission is to secure the right of all LGBTQ (Lesbian, Gay, Bi, Transgender, Queer) couples to enter into legally recognized Civil Marriage with all the benefits and responsibilities that entails through education and promotion of awareness.