Politics | 02/13/2009 7:50 am

Crowds Protest Anti-Gay Marriage Laws During 'Freedom to Marry Week'

By The Staff at wowOwow.com

Hundreds of gay couples hoping to marry were turned away from New York City’s marriage bureau Thursday as they protested a spate of recent decisions restricting same-sex couples’ right to marry.

As part of the 12th annual Freedom to Marry Week, demonstrations are expected to continue today in cities throughout the United States, from New York to California, the state that made headlines last November for the battle over — and ensuing passage of — Proposition 8, which bans gay couples from marrying.

"All of our marriages are under the cloud of Proposition 8," California resident Stuart Gaffney, 45, told AP. "Equality is an unfinished business in California."

Las Vegas couples gathered there with signs that read "Don’t hate my love" and "No laws on love," while New York activists wore signs that said "Just Not Married."

There’s legislation in the New York State Senate to legalize gay marriage, but it appears prospects for passage are dimming. Gov. David A. Paterson has issued a directive requiring that all state agencies recognize same-sex marriages performed in other jurisdictions.

Matt Flanders, 37, of Brooklyn, and his partner, Will Jennings, 29, in New York, both wore engagement rings during the New York demonstrations. They tried to get married, to no avail. "They said, ‘We cannot marry you.’ And I said, ‘I should be able to marry the person I love.’ And they said, ‘We can only offer you a domestic partnership,’" Flanders said.

For many, that’s just not enough. The fight will go on.

7 Reader Comments (so far…) Sign In or Register to comment

Keep on fighting! It’s worth the pain. I’m sure you all have heard this saying (maybe in different ways): Anything worth doing, is never easy! Equal rights for all Americans!

By Noelle Norton on 02/13/2009 7:57 am

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Amen Noelle! Canada, made gay marriage legal years ago.

By Catherine Kaiman on 02/13/2009 9:28 am

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Hurrah! this is what I’m talking about…to get people to listen you have to get up, go there and tell ‘em. I don’t understand why America isn’t protesting every day. Imagine the change we’ll see if we all went down to our representatives offices and tell them what we think…

By Tee Zee on 02/13/2009 9:55 am

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Why is America having a hard time with this. We’re a country of freedom, right?

By Grande Camper on 02/13/2009 9:56 am

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I am lucky to live in CT, it’s no big deal here ! Does it have something with the fact that we have the highest level of education ? When you know something about something it’s hard to have a fear about something … simple as that.

By EKA - on 02/13/2009 10:54 am

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It is with great concern and care for everyone, that I submit the following in regards to the protest for & against gay marriage, that have taken place this past week. As I spoke with God (not being religious) & considered all the issues involving such matters, I was burdened to feel the mind & heart of the creator, as I received HIS great concern…… I questioned myself, WHERE, will the great men & women of our ages come from? men & women such as Abraham Lincoln, Moses, Martin Luther King, etc… WHICH, gay or lesbian couple will be able to (proceate) great men, such as these. … Giving a Liscense, to gay marriages is in exchange taking two great lives and many generations, that would have been born of this couple, but now have ceased to exist…. That is the greatest loss ever. My tears started to fall, simply because it is humanity that is affected.
God’s word clearly specifies this as sin, yet our Government who believes this is not a Religious Issue or a matter of Government have overlooked the fact that it is because it is our votes & voices, that will have partake in this reality.

Your vote will give the right to & liscense such marriages that will stop further generations from being born into this wonderful place called life. I know you have considered their social, financial, civil and emotional needs, but could that be greater than the greatest need & gift of of all, (LIFE)…. How can this be justified? Lastly, I am not against anyone nor do I hate anyone, but one must speak truth over matter…. You have been blessed with life, would you not give that opportunity to others. May God, help us to continue to see the light of life that gives the right for everyone over everyone else’s opinion & simply give us facts over opinions. If our forfathers, were to be born in "a time such as this" they would be greatful that they were born prior to some of the voters of this age, because consequently they would have never seen the light of life…. Please reconsider… Only great men, with all respect…. repent and change direction.

By Diane Rivera on 05/26/2009 1:53 am

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By the way, why not legalize adultery, threesomes, we have already done with abortion, legalize marijuana, cocaine - (for when the marijuana down hits), we already have legalized pornography, prostitution should also be a must & lets see…. what else have we forgotten? ummmm

well, whatever the HELL, we want!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!…….

**** WHAT A WONDERFUL THING IT IS TO "KNOW THE TRUTH, THAT SETS US FREE" THANK YOU, JESUS, "I AM FREE AT LAST"