Matthew Baumgartner, Businessman
Albany, NY
“As the owner of Bombers Burrito Bar and Noche Lounge, I support the idea, the institution and the legalization of Same Sex Marriages. I find it so sad that in 2006 this is even an issue! The love and marriage between two human beings, regardless of race, sex or religion, is sacred and special and should be encouraged and blessed. The idea that marriage should be excluded from two women or two men is an embarrassing and very antiquated government policy. Where is the love, America?”
Councilmember Dominick Calsolaro:
Albany Common Council, 1st Ward"As an elected official I feel it is not only my duty, but my legal responsibility, to ensure that all people are treated equally and justly under the laws of our state and nation. With that as a background, I firmly believe that ‘marriage equity’ for all people, no matter their race, religion, or sexual orientation, is proper and legal in our state and nation."
President Pro Tempore Richard Conti:
Albany Common Council, 6th Ward
“Marriage equality is a simple matter of justice. The rights and responsibilities that government extends through marriage can only effectively and efficiently be accorded to same sex couples through marriage equality. Government has an interest in promoting stabile relationships, therefore government has an interest in equality. It’s that simple.”
The Reverend Steve Clunn: The First United Methodist Church
Schenectady, NY
"I find it ridiculous for anyone to imply that my marriage, family life and/or faith values are threatened in any way by two people of the same sex having the right to marry. I also find it demeaning to religate the issue of marriage among same-sex couples to a simplistic debate about civil rights. Yes, I recognize that I have been afforded a great number of civil rights as a result of becoming married, that had nothing to do with my decision to get married. I was married because of the gift of love that I found in my spouse and the love and presence of God that we have discovered together through both good and trying times. While marriage among same-sex couples does indeed involve issues of fairness and equality under the law, for me, it is much more. I support same-sex marriage because I want others to be able to celebrate the presence of God as a part of their commitment to a life-long partner; I want others to have that "God presence" recognized and supported by other people of faith, because I know how critical that has been to the development of our love and family life; and, I want to be supportive of good, Godly, healthy uplifting marriages and families. Simply put, I want all others to be able to have what I have been blessed to find in marriage."
The Reverend Stanley Craig: Lynnwood Reformed
Schenectady, NY
"My religious tradition informs me that every human, without exception, carries the image and likeness of the Divine. Our political history teaches us that all of our citizens are due the most basic of rights: life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. How can we deny a 'made-in-the-image-of-God' human the right to the happiness of a married life? The answer, religiously and politically is: we cannot. It is time, New York, for us to celebrate our God-given diversity and support marriage equality. I for one, am sorry it has taken us so long."
Joe Fox, President
Capital District Area Labor Federation, AFL-CIO
Vice President
New York State Public Employee Federation
Albany, NY
"As unions, we have a particular responsibility to protect equal rights and promote economic justice in connection with collective bargaining, economic benefits and legislation that affect our members. 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.
We recognize that the lack of access to civil marriage deprives gay and lesbian working families of more than 1,500 rights and benefits afforded heterosexual families, such as spousal Social Security and pension benefits, hospital visitation rights, spousal health insurance, immigration rights as well as rights in the workplace. We have asked our State Federation to make it a legislative goal to ensure that all members enjoy equal marriage rights and benefits and to determine where New York State elected officials stand on this issue prior to the 2006 elections."
County Legislator John A. Frederick:
Albany County Legislature, 6th District
"As an openly-gay elected official in a long-term committed relationship, my partner and I experience first-hand the discrimination which bars us from enjoying the vast number of rights and responsibilities inherent in marriage. Fair-minded New Yorkers seeing loving, committed same-sex couples will agree that the freedom marry must be given equally to all."
Jonathan E. Gradess, Executive Director
New York State Defenders Association
Albany, NY
"Love is the most powerful force on our planet. When we engage it for goodness we become our design. Love is at the root of the peace we seek; it is in the midst of the harmony we cherish. When two human beings love one another and, in many ways, become one person, they live out the great plan for humankind. From that sphere of influence - two faithful, committed loving human beings embarking on genuine partnership - there can be a journey that includes the relationships of family and community, state and country and world. When we can take away all the borders that separate us we become the holy people we are called to be. Marriage between two people of the same sex should be as natural as love between two people of the same sex. There is no reason for the State to bar such unions. Marriage equality for same sex couples - legal marriage under New York law identical in scope to that of heterosexual persons - is something for which the time has come. I wholeheartedly support it and urge our Legislature to bring it into being."
The Reverend Anthony W. Green: United Church of Christ
Albany, NY
"It is unconscionable that in a so-called "free society" so many people would be denied justice in the church and the State. The God of love weeps with gay and lesbian people who do not enjoy the same right and privilege as heterosexual people in making a public statement and commitment of their love and having it recognized as legitimate."
The Reverend Diane Marquit: United Methodist Church
North Creek, NY
"The Holy Bible is a human-written document offering a window into divine wisdom and the unavoidable prejudices and misunderstandings of the people who have done the writing and redacting. Critical-thinking Americans today have choices. We can avoid human connectedness, live in a state of rebellious denial and use literalism as a wedge to justify fears and biases~ or we can look one another in the eye, honor each heart and soul, and release the healing love and Spirit of Christ.
What harm can be done in honoring love by offering same sex partners equal rights and protections under the law? Such a move might begin to check the spiraling spiritual violence being committed in our society where injustice is inviting a slippery slope contributing to overall decay.
It is time to recognize the wisdom of our loving God and those who signed The Declaration of Independence by dedicating ourselves to justice and offering in our state and nation the rights which are self-evident. Let us work for life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness for all human beings-- children of one Creator and gifted with these unalienable rights.
I cherish the day wedding bells will ring out glad freedom for the oppressed, and those who live in a free land will no longer with burdened hearts fear to ask for whom the bell tolls."
Rabbi Linda Motzkin & Rabbi Jonathan Rubenstein: Temple Sinai
Saratoga Springs, NY
"In a world torn by violence and hatred, loving relationships have a role in bringing about healing in society. We believe that people in same-sex relationships who choose to publicly and formally affirm their love and commitment should have the right to do so, and that these unions should be authorized and supported in civil society as well as in religious community."
Rabbi Jonathan Roos: Associate Rabbi, Congregation Beth Emeth
Albany, NY
"I support the right for same sex-couples to marry in New York because it is the right and just thing under the values of my Jewish tradition and principles of our nation. My people are supposed to live by the following story: Our ancient sage, Rabbi Hillel, was asked if he could teach the entirety of the Torah while standing on one foot. He taught: 'Anything that is hateful to you, you should not do to other people. That is the Torah. All the rest is commentary, now go and learn.' Few things are more hateful to me than denying equal protection under the law because of the nature of a person's relationships. Even one who believes that homosexuality is forbidden by Scripture must remember that the specifics of any biblical passage are trumped by the Golden Rule taught by Hillel. Equal rights under the law must be given to everyone whether you love them or hate them."
Archbishop Richard G. Roy: Primate, National Catholic Church of America
Albany, NY
"The United States Constitution guarantees to all its citizens the right to, 'life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness'. To deny same-sex couples the opportunity to enter into marriage is to create a class of persons for whom those rights are curtailed. As a Christian, it also seems to me that the committed love and stability such marriages would foster are entirely in keeping with the spirit of the gospel."