Illegal Wedding Fair

New York City's Premier Same-Sex Wedding Fair

Illegal Wedding Fair: Sunday, June 06, 2010, 632 on Hudson (632 Hudson Street b/w Jane & Horatio) 12:00 PM - 4:00 PM

Event Page: http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/108159

Be a rebel with a cause and join us for the inaugural Illegal Wedding Fair, a unique new event in support of Marriage Equality New York (MENY)! This elegant and intimate wedding fair is designed specifically for same-sex couples and features a highly curated selection of New York's most talented, gay-friendly event professionals in the sumptuous setting of downtown Manhattan's most exclusive wedding venue, 632 on Hudson. Whether you are planning a commitment ceremony or just curious to learn more about weddings, the Illegal Wedding Fair promises to be a fantastic one-stop resource for everything from the best cakes and floral designs, to event performers, photographers, and officiants all dedicated to helping same-sex couples celebrate their love and commitment in style!

Some scheduled speakers include David Toussaint, author of Gay and Lesbian Weddings: Planning the Perfect Same-Sex Ceremony, Annie Lee, principal planner and founder of Daughter of Design, as well as officiants from the New York Society for Ethical Culture who will present a workshop on same-sex marriage.

Vendors include Cake Alchemy, E&V Wedding Photography, Saipua, Lion in the Sun, Stuart & Welch, ZAK Events, Nine Cakes, Life’s a Cocktail, Taylor Creative and The Oratory Laboratory among many others.

Individual tickets cost $35, with a couples discount of $60 per pair, available for pre-sale on brownpapertickets.com.

Attendees will be treated to lots of flowing bubbly, two open bars manned by NYC’s top mixologists, catered bites provided by Stuart & Welch and DISH Food & Events, and live music by artists represented by Elan Artists, all in a stunning 5-story West Village townhouse with a garden roof deck!

Did I mention there is a raffle drawing benefiting MENY?

To the thirty-eight New York State Senators who voted against legalizing gay marriage last December, we say, "Let them eat wedding cake!"

Battle in Southeast Queens

City Hall has an article on Lynn Nunes, who is challenging State Senator Shirley Huntley (D-Queens) for her seat representing the 10th District. The district encompasses the southeast Queens neighborhoods of South Jamaica, Laurelton, and Springfield Gardens, as well as portions of Jamaica and Richmond Hill. Huntley voted against marriage equality last December, citing opposition from African American clergy and churchgoers who make up a significant portion of her constituents. Nunes supports marriage equality.

The article notes that Nunes's support for marriage equality may pose a threat to Huntley. The political action committee Fight Back New York is strongly considering lending financial support to his campaign. Go here to learn more about Nunes and to see how you can help.

Take It to the Boards!

TAKE IT TO THE BOARDS!!

WHO: You + MENY + Queer Rising

WHAT: Engage communities and Community Boards

WHERE: Multiple convenient locations

WHEN: Usually one weeknight per month

WHY: PROVEN results in changing peoples minds towards equality...but we can't do it alone

HOW: Contact us below, join us at a meeting, speak (but not required), hand out literature, etc.*

* * * *

This Spring, Marriage Equality New York (MENY) is supporting Queer Rising (our 2010 Gala Honoree) in taking the message of marriage equality to the Community Boards in the districts of New York State Senators who voted against our equal rights this spring.

These meetings have been an excellent way to educate and connect with these communities (as well as the senators) on the importance of marriage equality. This tactic has built relationships within the community as well as initiated the passing of Pro-Marriage Equality resolutions from the boards. In addition, engaging people in communities that may not necessarily be interested in marriage equality about the legal and personal aspects of the issue has been rewarding - many finally understand, agree, and support you. Also, several community members have supported us by reaching out to their senator and requested them to change their vote and vote “yes” on marriage equality.

By attending these meetings, each person is allowed 3 minutes to share on the importance of marriage equality in New York and what it means to them. Not everyone needs to speak during the meeting, and there is an opportunity to talk to community members before and after the meeting and provide literature. Most elected officials and/or representatives attend these meetings and are available to discuss the marriage equality bill.

GET INVOLVED: If you would like to attend a meeting, or want more information, please fill out this form.

Wine-Tasting for Equality

Activism takes a lot of hard work, but that doesn't mean it can't be fun, too. Come learn about some new wines, savor tasty treats, and support marriage equality at a wine tasting fundraiser in support of Marriage Equality New York's Political Action Committee.

Thursday, June 3, 2010, 6:00 to 8:30 PM
Moore Bros. Wine Company
33 East 20th Street, 2nd floor
New York, NY

MENY's PAC will receive and use 100% of the tickets sales to support New York State Senate candidates who actively and publicly support marriage equality.

Limited spaces are available.

Tickets:
$50 Friend -- $150 Supporter -- $250 Sponsor

Get your tickets here.

Standing On Ceremony: The Gay Marriage Plays

Order tickets now for this exciting event!

Buy your tickets here!

Minnesota Guv Gives the Gays No Love

In one of the more heartless moves by a public official in recent memory, Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty (R) has vetoed a bill that would have extended the rights of gays and lesbians to to make end-of-life decisions for their partners (Minnesota Public Radio). In explaining his veto, Pawlenty simply dismissed the issue, saying there is "no real need" to extend these rights to same-sex couples. This is probably news to LGBT people in Minnesota, which does not recognize marriage equality. According to a report by the Center for American Progress, Minnesota is considered a “legal stranger” state, where same-sex partners have little or no chance of being designated as surrogate medical decision makers for their incapacitated partners. Instead, they must rely on advanced health care directives and living wills, which do not guarantee that their wishes will be honored (Think Progress).

Let Governor Pawlenty know what you think of his decision to turn his back on same-sex couples in the most vulnerable moments of their lives.

Mailing Address:

Office of the Governor
130 State Capitol
75 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
St. Paul, MN 55155

Telephone: (651) 296-3391
Toll Free: (800) 657-3717
Facsimile: (651) 296-2089
E-mail: tim.pawlenty@state.mn.us

NYC to Offer Civil Ceremonies for Domestic Partnerships

The New York City Clerk's Office has announced that it will begin offering ceremonies for couples registering as domestic partners (New York Daily News). The partnerships, which are only recognized in New York City, confer some legal benefits, such as the ability for city employees to cover a partner under their health insurance. While this is a welcome symbolic move by the City, it is nowhere near the level of equality that same-sex couples deserve.

Supreme Court Pick An Unknown Quantity

President Obama has announced his selection of Solicitor General Elena Kagan to replace outgoing Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens. Although Kagan is generally considered a liberal, not too much is known about her views on some of the most important issues facing the court. Despite rumors that the nominee is herself a lesbian, her record on LGBT issues is mixed. As dean of Harvard Law School, Kagan forcefully criticized the government's Don't Ask Don't Tell policy preventing openly gay and lesbian people from serving in the military and defended Harvard's ban on military recruiters in the university's career placement office. She rescinded the ban when faced with the government's threat to withdraw hundreds of millions of dollars in funding for Harvard (New York Times). However, during her nomination for the post of solicitor general in the Obama administration, Kagan responded to a question from Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) by stating that there was no constitutional right to same-sex marriage. This has led to speculation that a Justice Kagan would bode poorly for the cause of marriage equality, particularly with respect to the Perry v. Schwarzenegger lawsuit, which seeks to establish that Proposition 8 is unconstitutional, although some commentators say those fears are overblown.

New DOMA Challenge Argued

Arguments began yesterday in a federal lawsuit challenging the section of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) that denies marriage-related benefits to same-sex couples, arguing that it violates the Constitution's guarantee of equal protection under the law. The case, Gill v. Office of Personnel Management, is likely to wind up before the Supreme Court. The lawsuit was brought by a Nancy Gill, a U.S. Postal Service employee who argues that DOMA prevents her from providing the same health benefits to her spouse that her heterosexual colleagues can provide for their families.

If the plaintiffs are successful, same-sex couples in every state would gain access to benefits and protections that other married couples enjoy, although same-sex marriage would not become legal in states where it is not already. This case is narrower in scope than Perry v. Schwarzenegger, the case recently argued in federal court in California that seeks to establish a fundamental right to marry (New York Times).

Blue State Family Values

The National Journal's Jonathan Rauch reviews a new book called Red Families v. Blue Families: Legal Polarization and the Creation of Culture (h/t Andrew Sullivan). As Rauch points out, the rhetoric of family values coming from the right does not reflect the reality of family life in the so-called red and blue states. For instance: "Six of the seven states with the lowest divorce rates in 2007, and all seven with the lowest teen birthrates in 2006, voted blue in both elections. Six of the seven states with the highest divorce rates in 2007, and five of the seven with the highest teen birthrates, voted red." The authors of Red Families v. Blue Families argue that this is the result of the difference between cultural norms regarding the sex, marriage, and family in conservative and liberal parts of the country. Check out the article for more.

Rights for Gay Parents

The New York State Court of Appeals has issued two rulings that expand the parental rights of the non-biological parents of children being raised by same-sex couples (New York Times). In one case, the Court ruled 4-3 in favor of a woman seeking child support from her former partner, who is not the biological mother of a child the couple raised together before they separated. In another case, the Court ruled unanimously that a woman is entitled to visitation rights because she is a legal parent, even though she is not the child’s biological mother.

Uniting American Families

The Advocate reports on an immigration reform proposal that is being circulated by the Democratic leadership in Congress. Under the proposal, which could form the basis of an immigration reform bill, U.S. citizens and legal residents would be allowed to sponsor their same-sex partners for residency, ending long-standing discrimination against same-sex couples.

The Rainbow State

Hawaii's state legislature has approved a civil unions bill that would give unmarried same- and opposite-sex couples the same rights as married couples. Governor Linda Lingle (R) had urged the legislature not to take up the legislation this session. However, it is unclear whether she will veto the bill.

Contact Governor Lingle and ask her to sign this bill into law. If you have any loved ones in Hawaii, ask them to contact her as well.

The Uprising

City Hall has an interesting article on Queer Rising, a recently formed LGBT activist group that is garnering a lot of attention through its emphasis on civil disobedience and street activism.