RBP
07-25-2011, 11:41 AM
Hundreds of gay and lesbian couples have become the first to tie the knot under a New York state law that has been hailed as a milestone toward legalising gay marriage nationwide.
http://i.imgur.com/YtJEA.jpg
Da'onna Johnson (L) and Amanda Johnson from Pennsylvania kiss after marrying at the Manhattan City Clerk's office on the first day New York State's Marriage Equality Act goes into effect
"We are not any more second-class citizens in the state of New York," said Yolanda Potasinski, 55, who stood in line before sunrise with partner Nancy Mertzel, a 48-year-old lawyer, to exchange vows in Manhattan on the first day of the law legalising same-sex marriage.
"There's still work to do in the rest of the country," she admitted, as the two who have lived together for 18 years were among couples in New York City to say "I do."
City officials said a record-setting 659 couples were married in ceremonies on Sunday and that others who received their licenses will be wed in the coming weeks.
"Today was a historic day in our city, and we couldn't be prouder that on the first day that everyone in New York City could have their love affirmed in the eyes of the law, we were able to serve everyone," said Mayor Michael Bloomberg.
First in line at the city clerk's office were gray-haired seniors Phyllis Siegel and Connie Kopelov, who cried and waved with joy to waiting journalists after their wedding ceremony.
The law allowing same-sex marriage went into effect at the stroke of midnight across New York - the sixth US state to allow gay couples to legally marry.
Niagara Falls hosted the first marriage just after midnight as the famous cascades lit up with the rainbow colours of the gay pride movement.
"Today the doors of marriage equality swing open in New York. It's no surprise a flood of same-sex couples is expected to flow through," the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force said in a statement.
"Until you have walked in the shoes of someone who has been denied this fundamental freedom - a rite that bonds us a people - it is hard to comprehend just how profoundly moving this moment is. Today is a day to rejoice and celebrate."
Human Rights Campaign, an advocacy group backing same-sex rights, noted that the new law means couples will receive a host of rights and responsibilities afforded to heterosexual marriages, including health care decision-making for an incapacitated spouse, property rights and inheritance rights.
But opposite the registry office, a small crowd of about a dozen people booed the happy couples. An Orthodox Jewish man held a sign that simply read: "Gay Marriage: Bad Idea." No major disturbances were reported, however.
http://i.imgur.com/YtJEA.jpg
Da'onna Johnson (L) and Amanda Johnson from Pennsylvania kiss after marrying at the Manhattan City Clerk's office on the first day New York State's Marriage Equality Act goes into effect
"We are not any more second-class citizens in the state of New York," said Yolanda Potasinski, 55, who stood in line before sunrise with partner Nancy Mertzel, a 48-year-old lawyer, to exchange vows in Manhattan on the first day of the law legalising same-sex marriage.
"There's still work to do in the rest of the country," she admitted, as the two who have lived together for 18 years were among couples in New York City to say "I do."
City officials said a record-setting 659 couples were married in ceremonies on Sunday and that others who received their licenses will be wed in the coming weeks.
"Today was a historic day in our city, and we couldn't be prouder that on the first day that everyone in New York City could have their love affirmed in the eyes of the law, we were able to serve everyone," said Mayor Michael Bloomberg.
First in line at the city clerk's office were gray-haired seniors Phyllis Siegel and Connie Kopelov, who cried and waved with joy to waiting journalists after their wedding ceremony.
The law allowing same-sex marriage went into effect at the stroke of midnight across New York - the sixth US state to allow gay couples to legally marry.
Niagara Falls hosted the first marriage just after midnight as the famous cascades lit up with the rainbow colours of the gay pride movement.
"Today the doors of marriage equality swing open in New York. It's no surprise a flood of same-sex couples is expected to flow through," the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force said in a statement.
"Until you have walked in the shoes of someone who has been denied this fundamental freedom - a rite that bonds us a people - it is hard to comprehend just how profoundly moving this moment is. Today is a day to rejoice and celebrate."
Human Rights Campaign, an advocacy group backing same-sex rights, noted that the new law means couples will receive a host of rights and responsibilities afforded to heterosexual marriages, including health care decision-making for an incapacitated spouse, property rights and inheritance rights.
But opposite the registry office, a small crowd of about a dozen people booed the happy couples. An Orthodox Jewish man held a sign that simply read: "Gay Marriage: Bad Idea." No major disturbances were reported, however.