Richard Ferraro Director of Public Relations (646) 871-8011 ferraro@glaad.org
New York, NY, December 02, 2009 – The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD), the nation's lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) media advocacy and anti-defamation organization, released the following reaction to the New York State Senate’s vote to not extend marriage equality to same-sex couples in New York.
“This is a painful loss for loving and committed same-sex couples in New York who want the same things all American’s do: to take care of each other and their families,” said Jarrett Barrios, President of the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation. "Today’s vote shows that some members of the State Senate believe in treating people unfairly and as a different class of citizens.”
“As a former Massachusetts State Senator who advocated fiercely for marriage equality and as a husband who now enjoys full legal protections in Massachusetts, I know first-hand the need for legal protections and that this fight is far from over.”
“We urge gay and lesbian New York couples and allies to share their stories with their neighbors, friends, co-workers and local media so that we can now build the public support that will lead us to full equality.”
“We also encourage media reporting on this story to ground their coverage in the stories of the New York couples whose love and commitment is at the heart of today's decision.”
About GLAAD The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) is dedicated to promoting and ensuring fair, accurate and inclusive representation of people and events in the media as a means of eliminating homophobia and discrimination based on gender identity and sexual orientation. For more information, please visit www.glaad.org.
©2010 Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation