ANGRY NYC PROTESTS STATE SENATE’S REJECTION OF GAY MARRIAGE BILL

We’re here, we’re queer and we’re not going to take it anymore

Apparently we aren’t all equal. That’s what the New York State Senate said as they voted against a marriage equality bill last week. Outraged New Yorkers took to the streets over two consecutive nights to protest the State Senate’s decision.

OURsceneTV’s Blake Hayes covered the Midtown and Greenwich Village protests as people made their voices heard. Gilbert Baker, creator of the rainbow flag, urged people to get involved. The bill’s lead sponsor, Tom Duane, the New York Senate’s only openly gay member, said it was a “sadly political battle.”

The marriage bill was defeated 38-24 (falling just 8 votes short of the majority) on Wednesday in the assembly, which is led by Democrats who hold a single-seat majority. It was a stunning defeat especially since Governor David Paterson publicly championed the bill.

So far this year, New Jersey has failed to schedule a vote on marriage equality bill, Maine banned gay couples from marrying and California rescinded its law. We are not second -class citizens. We must keep fighting!