People have been looking for equality. Equality to share in a committed relationship with the person they love, under the same title and name afforded to others searching for the same. The fight for marriage equality or the "freedom to marry" has been about that goal and its significance for the status of our citizens. Sexual orientation should in no way change the rights people are afforded, and while it has been a very contentious battles in other parts of the country, at 11:15pm on Friday, June 24, 2011, gay marriage was passed in New York. This decision was passed 33-29 and included memorable quotes such as the following from Republican Roy McDonald, "fuck it, I don't care what you think. I'm trying to do the right thing"
While the bill will not take effect until July 24, 2011, the passing of this critical bill, which many see as impacting the larger national debate, gave many cause to celebrate a little harder for "Pride," which is celebrated for some throughout the month of June, for some the last week in June and for others most heavily during the parade festivities yesterday. It was a Pride, I think few will ever forget...both a reminder of the parade's origin in the Stonewall riots of June 28, 1969, a congealing point of the gay rights movement, and a point in time so many decades later where the same state honors gay marriage. Change can be slow, but change can happen, and as New York joins Connecticut, Iowa, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont, Washington, D.C. as locations that offer marriage licences for same sex couples, it will be interesting to see which state follows suit.