February 8th is marriage equality day in Albany where approximately 160 people are expected to converge in order to meet with elected officials. Marriage equality supporters are being bused in from all over the state as part of an organizing drive led by Marriage Equality New York.
Supporters will try to see as many state senators as possible from both sides of the aisle including outspoken marriage equality opponent Ruben Diaz if he is willing to open his senate office door to them.
This is the third year for the event. Last year was such a success that 125 people turned out in the state capital. So the event is growing as the marriage equality event of the winter season keeping in step with the growing support for marriage equality rights statewide.
Betsy Malcolm of MENY reported that one year several students from a LGBT high school visited and spoke with Senator Ruth Hassell-Thompson about how they had all been viciously bullied at one time or another. Betsy said, “You could tell she was really listening and moved by what they had to say, in the end the senator said, ‘As a religious person I am conflicted about this but I have been listening to what you have been saying and want to keep the lines of communications open.’” In the end this senator voted for marriage equality proving that communications does indeed work and perhaps the touching stories of these young people made the difference.
Betsy goes on to say that many people end up changing their mind in favor of marriage equality not because of any intellectual argument but because they know a gay person and see their basic humanity up close and personal.
The February 8th event is an opportunity to connect on a personal level with senators. In this way the issue is no longer abstract but real and in line with the conservative institution of marriage and the American ideal that we are all equal under the law. For more details visit, www.meny.us, because it is time to say “I Do.”
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