Why I Took Action in NY and Why You Should Today Too

By Megan Kinninger
Program Manager, Freedom to Marry
June 4, 2009

I live in New York and over the last few months, I've been asked by my fellow New Yorkers and friends from across the country, "So what do you think? Can we win the freedom to marry in New York this year?"

There is currently a bill pending in the New York legislature that would end the exclusion of gay couples from marriage. We have just a couple of weeks until the New York legislature adjourns their session. The bill already passed the Assembly, where it gained even more votes in support since it passed in 2007. Governor Paterson introduced the bill and promises to sign it. It's just the state senate that we need to vote in support, and the vote count is tight.

In response to those who ask about marriage equality in New York, I say, "Yes, we have a very real chance to win, but it's up to each of us to act now. If we talk about it and contact our friends, our family, anyone we know in New York, or anyone we know who knows anyone in New York, then we have a much better chance."

A lot of people respond with, "Well, what should I say to people to have them take action or respond to their questions about why this issue matters?"

My response, "Make it personal. Explain in personal terms why you care about marriage equality and what you've done to take action."

Personally, given my passion for politics, I care about ending the exclusion of gay couples from marriage because I believe in the principles America was founded upon, freedom and equality. It's my job as an American citizen to promote and protect these principles, which includes the freedom to marry the person you love, for everyone in our country.

Even more personally, I want to marry the person I love. Our commitment to each other deserves nothing less than the dignity and respect, and protections and responsibilities, that the state provides through a marriage license.

So today, I ask everyone to do the following three things:

1) If you live in New York, contact your senator today here

2) Wherever you live, contact anyone you know in New York, or even anyone who you think might know people in New York, and tell them why the freedom to marry is important to you and how they can contact senators in New York.

3) Start a conversation today about how you took action in New York.

Two weeks ago, I emailed my senator to tell him to support the marriage equality bill. It was really simple. I just went to Empire State Pride Agenda's action center, typed in info to make sure it went to my senator, and pressed send.

My senator even responded with a nice message saying that he supports the freedom to marry and is working to educate his colleagues to support the legislation.

Also, with this blog post, I will be emailing everyone I know requesting they contact everyone they know to pass it on, talk about why marriage matters to them, and contact NY senators.

I must emphasize, the vote is still very close in the senate and we have less than a couple of weeks left, possibly just 18 days. Just yesterday, Nate Silver over at FiveThirtyEight.com wrote about the latest poll taken of the state senators on the marriage equality bill pending in the legislature. He wrote,

"That makes the count 20 yea votes and 28 nay votes, with 14 senators undecided. [Victory]will require 12 of the 14 undecided votes to pass."

Yes, it's that close. And the best way to change undecideds to yes is to take action now and show your support. As the Executive Director of Empire State Pride Agenda, Alan Van Capelle, said,

"If legislators were truly intent on voting no, then they wouldn't still be talking to the Empire State Pride Agenda. They still wouldn't be taking meetings with supporters of marriage equality in their districts. They're looking for a reason to get to yes."

Don't wait another second. Give the NY senators a reason to get to yes today by doing the above three things. Also, Empire State Pride Agenda just announced that next week they will host a statewide marriage call-in day next week. To receive the action alert on the day of action, sign up here and they will show you how to tell your friends also.

Equality will never be achieved without action. Make your difference today, and pass this post to your friends, to bring New York a few steps closer to equality for all families.