Right to Marry: New York 2008

In July 2007, thirty-two young adults traveled across the state of New York, from Long Island to Niagara Falls, advocating for marriage equality. Partnering with local citizens and organizations, we met with lawmakers and mayors, shared potluck dinners, screened films, handed out cake at the Ironman Competition....all in the effort to create a statewide conversation about the need for marriage equality.

 

We have returned this spring to New York state to work closely with student and community leaders in two focus communities, Plattsburgh and Poughkeepsie. We are speaking directly to local businesses and ask for their vocal support. Small businesses may know better than anyone the what the support of friends, government and neighbors means for the stability of partners, families and homes. In turn, their support raises meaningful awareness with citizens, chambers of commerce, city councils, mayors, and local politicians.

Poughkeepsie:

Wednesday, April 9th we chalked some of the 1,324 rights denied LGBT couples and their families because they are not allowed to marry in New York State. Over 200 of you signed letters we'll send to the Capitol for Equality & Justice Day. 500 of you chalked your name in support of marriage equality! Thanks for helping ActOut Vassar and Soulforce Q advance fairness for LGBT people.

More events are coming. Check back to know when you can also sign a letter of support and film "Why marriage equality matters to you" statement.

*Come to Equality & Justice Day at the Captitol on April 29th. Email Haven@soulforce.org if you want to be part of a Vassar delegation, one of dozens from across the state, speaking to legislators about LGBTQ equality.

If you have media inquiries, or if you want to help canvas businesses, please contact Haven Herrin, haven@soulforce.org or 469-867-5725. Right to Marry in Poughkeepsie is a collaboration of Vassar ActOut and Soulforce Q.

Check out Vassar ActOut's website! www.actoutvassar.blogspot.com

Plattsburgh:

To get involved in the Plattsburgh area, contact Alexey Bulokhov, alexey@soulforce.org. Right to Marry: Plattsburgh is a collaboration between S.O.U.L. at SUNY Plattsburgh and Soulforce Q.

More Events in Utica this weekend, April 18th and 19th!

First, join Alexey Bulokhov and Haven Herrin at the Marriage Equality Public Forum, sponsored by the Pride Along the Mohawk & Mohawk Valley Human Rights Campaign. Friday April 18th at 3pm, location: NYS Building in Conference Room B, 207 Genessee Street in Utica. Hear local politicians, community leaders, and LGBT couples in addition to the latest update on this spring's Right to Marry campaign. Free and open to the public.

Next, join Haven and Alexey at the evening performance of Ithaca's Gay & Lesbian OutLoud Chorus on Friday April 18th at 8pm, location: Plymouth-Bethesda United Church of Christ at 500 Plant Street in Utica. Sliding scale at the door, $5 to $10.

On Saturday April 19th, Soulforce Q will present at Colgate's Big Gay Weekend III, a gathering of hundreds of LGBTA activists from across the northeast. Registration is still open. Visit www.colgate.edu for more information.

 

Your donation to the Right to Marry campaign will keep young adult leadership a vital part of the work for marriage equality. Thank you for making it possible for every activist to take part regardless of material access.

  • $75 covers the cost of getting one business to sign on, from the sign in their storefront to the letters to the city council members
  • $300 puts on a Bible Self-Defense training for Binghamton
  • $1100 publishes the names of the supporting businesses in local media for Plattsburgh

Soulforce Q is the young adult division of Soulforce, where we implement projects that empower youth to be leaders. In an effort to make activism accessible to all and put forth a diverse voice calling for equality, we cover all expenses attendant to our campaigns. We welcome all to participate and embrace diversity in age, creed, ethnicity, background, ability, gender idenity, sexual orientation, and educational status.

Links More Information On Marriage Equality:

Freedom to Marry: a national organization on the forefront of marriage equality

Pride Agenda: the statewide LGBT organization of New York

2007 Right to Marry Campaign

Right to Marry Site Map

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