The Reverend Timothy W. Ashton: Minister,
Unitarian Universalist Church of Amherst
Williamsville, NY

"Stable relationships are at the core of orderly and supportive societies. All couples who love each other and wish to create households and families deserve the validation of the state and the security of that legal recognition."

Joyce Degenhardt, Regional Coordinator
Region 1, New York State Public Employee Federation (PEF)
Affiliated with Service Employees International Union (SEIU) and American Federation of Teachers (AFT)
Buffalo, NY

"I am the elected union leader for over 4,200 professional, scientific and technical employees in New York State facilities and agencies in the five westernmost counties of this state. While members of labor unions have a variety of views about marriage, according to their personal or religious beliefs, it is a fundamental, uniting principle of the labor movement that all people are entitled to equal rights. The labor movement invented domestic partner benefits to respond to the real economic needs of unmarried union families, including lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender members. My own union played an important role in negotiating domestic partner benefits for New York State employees over 10 years ago. It's time that the State of New York completed the job we began by granting equal civil marriage rights to these families."

The Reverend Clara Gilles: Assisting Clergy, Trinity Episcopal Church
Buffalo, NY

"There is no justice and equality unless there is justice and equality for all citizens of New York state and the whole country. Love and compassion are the only system that embodies us as the children of God. No one or government has the authority to deny equality to what God has created and blessed."

“I have long been a champion for all types of civil-rights and am against discrimination in all its forms. As a strong advocate for the gay and lesbian community, I cannot justify continuing the State's keeping the door to marriage closed to loving couples who want to make a lifelong commitment, just because of their sexual orientation.”

The Reverend Barbara Hulsing: Pastor, Good Shepherd Baptist Church
Buffalo, NY

"I support the right for same-sex couples to marry in New York State because I believe in the human dignity of every person, regardless of gender identity, gender orientation or gender expression. With this human dignity in mind, I believe that ALL couples/families deserve to share the same civil rights (e.g., work-force benefits, decision making in health care, parenting) that are provided for heterosexual couples. I also believe that marriage is a demonstration of commitment and provides the opportunity for loved ones and friends to witness to and acknowledge this commitment."

Rev. John R. Long, D.D., First Presbyterian Church of Buffalo
Buffalo, NY

"Throughout his life Jesus showed his acceptance and love for all sorts of outcast and marginalized persons, Samaritans, tax collectors, women, the mentally ill, even Roman soldiers. It is certain that Jesus love extends to people who are homosexual. As a clergyman, and as a citizen, I cannot help but support legislation that restores to any people the rights they ought to have. Specifically, I support legislation that would allow homosexual couples to marry and enjoy the same rights and privileges that other married couples have."

Rabbi Harry Rosenfeld: Temple Beth Zion
Buffalo, NY

"We often speak of family values and yet our society works so hard to keep a significant part of our community from creating families. Any two people, regardless of their gender preferences, have the right to form intimate, stable families that have all the benefits available to families created with a male and a female partner. Our society facilitates the formation of families through the institution of marriage and our governments should make marriage available to all consenting adult members of our society." 

 

Reverend Sara D. Smith, Esq.,
Pastor, Kenilworth United Church of Christ
Buffalo, New York

"In my current position as a minister in suburban Buffalo, I see daily the rewards and challenges of straight couples and families sharing life together. Often, it is the marriage license and its hundreds of attenuating legal rights that provide the support and remedies necessary to sustain it. I also know first-hand the difficulties for gay couples and families because these legal rights are not available to them.

In addition, I understand the distinction between the church's and the state's role in solemnizing a covenant made between two people. When I bless a couple during a wedding ceremony, I act on behalf of my religious community. When I sign the marriage license, I act on behalf of the state. The church weds and blesses; the state marries.

Yet the state will not allow me to marry my partner. While the state does require of me a driver's license, a fishing license, etc., it will not issue me the one license that signifies the most important decision in my life. As an attorney, I hold dear the foundational tenet that our government must uphold and defend basic rights afforded all Americans. I pay my taxes, I vote, I obey the laws, yet our government treats me like a second-class citizen. This is unconstitutional, this is wrong, and this is discrimination.

As an ordained clergy in the United Church of Christ, I am proud that my denomination and my congregation celebrate and support GLBT persons and their relationships. Although the roles they play are different, I expect my federal and state governments to do the same."