COLAGE Reacts to New York Decision on Marriage

New York lawmakers rejected a bill today that would have made their state the sixth to offer marriage equality. COLAGErs in New York and throughout the country are disappointed in this decision which fails to offer our families equal recognition, rights and respect. Many of our member in New York shared their responses to this unfortunate news.
Nicole Coughlin, a COLAGE Speak OUT member from Nanuet, NY shared, “As the daughter of a lesbian, I am extremely disappointed about today’s vote in NY. I’m frustrated that I live in a state that discriminates against families like mine and prevents us from receiving the equality that we and all families deserve.”
A COLAGE NYC Member, Sam who is a young man raised by two lesbian moms added, “I am deeply troubled by the state Senate’s decision to deny equal rights to everyone in the Empire State. Sen. Suzi Oppenheimer (D-Mamaroneck) said it best on the floor during Wednesday’s vote: ‘This is not just for the gay and lesbian community. It is for all of us, a measure of our humanity.’”
The New York measure failed by a wider-than-expected margin, falling 12 votes short in a 24-38 decision by the state Senate. The Assembly had earlier approved the bill, and Gov. David Paterson, perhaps the bill’s strongest advocate, had pledged to sign it.
COLAGE Speak OUT Member and Columbia University student Brandon Storm reacted, “As a resident of New York and child of lesbian parents I am extremely disturbed by today’s vote because I believe all families deserve the same dignity and respect under civil law and that no child should have to grow up feeling that their family is less legitimate than others.”
Though LGBTQ families are just like many other families in many ways, people with LGBTQ parents and our families face the everyday reality that our families are treated differently. By continuing to discriminate against our families, New York is maintaining an environment in which COLAGErs and families do not have equal recognition, rights and respect – leading to isolation and challenges. COLAGE will continue, in NY and across the country, to connect youth to a community of peers, helping them to build confidence and pride in themselves and their families.
Dori Kavanagh, LMSW of Brooklyn, NY commented, “I called my senator, Eric Adams, this morning and was so excited about this vote and shared with him my support for marriage equality. His assistant told me that Mr. Adams was a supporter and that they were are hoping for the best. As a daughter of a lesbian mother and as a married woman, I am very heartbroken by the news that New York State voted against marriage equality.”
COLAGE extends our gratitude to the folks at Empire State Pride Agenda, for their leadership on this bill and to all the allies in the New York Senate and Assembly who voted for marriage equality.
Samantha, a COLAGEr from Camillus, NY summed up this vote by saying, “I feel like the decision made in NYC was unfair to our families. My mom has been engaged to her partner for 3 years, and I can’t wait for the day the government realizes our families are just as amazing and important as heterosexual families. I know when this happens, and it will, that I will finally have the pleasure of being at my mom’s wedding, and will get to see her marry the woman she’s in love with.”