Stephen Nessen, Reporter, WNYC News
Stephen Nessen reports for the WNYC Newsroom and can often be heard live on Morning Edition.
On Cusp of Historic Same-Sex Marriage Vote, a Neighborhood Reflects
Wednesday, June 15, 2011 - 04:51 PM
(Stephen Nessen/WNYC)
New York is one vote away from approving a gay marriage bill, and in the West Village — a Mecca for the nation's gay liberation movement of the 60s and 70s — residents are waiting for what many call a long-overdue change to the law.
Richard Granger, a West Village resident, has lived in the neighborhood for 30 years and was around during the notorious riots of 1969 that helped spark nationwide awareness of gay rights issues at the Stonewall Inn on Christopher Street.
"New York is supposed to be such a sophisticated state that it's about time they passed it here," said Granger, sitting in a park across from the Stonewall Inn as politicians in Albany continued to wrangle over the fate of the same-sex marriage bill Wednesday afternoon.
"It is a milestone," he added. "It certainly wasn't around years ago, and I'm sure people will take advantage of it and get married here."
Nelson Alton, 50, who works at Housing Works in the West Village, said he travels to Albany about 10 times a year for various equal rights advocacy causes.
"That would be another continuation from where Stonewall started, all of that had a reason, and purpose and it’s time for change," Alton said. "It's just another process, another step."
Alston, who is gay, said he doesn't plan to get married, but "if people are together as partners, they should be able to have the same legal standards as anybody else that are so-called married with a certificate."
A younger generation that grew up after the Stonewall riots are hopeful the bill will pass but are also preparing in case it fails.
Standing outside the West Village Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center, Michael Rivera, 22, an LGBT advocate, said he's prepared to keep working hard if the bill doesn't pass.
"Although we only need one vote and that seems as close as ever, it's still going to be one of the hardest challenges,” Rivera, said.
When asked if he would consider getting married, he pauses a second and decides: "Yes, I want to get married, in New York and nowhere else."
Comments [14]
Not - there is no "East Village," dingbats.
Jack Blair
InfoQuarter
Ed from Larchmont:
Disaster will follow? - Just like the rapture I'm sure! HAHAHAAHAHAHA
Why is it that straight people can marry and divorce as much as they want? If marriage is so precious and needs to be defended then ban divorce. Gays should be allowed to marry and afforded all the legal rights that come with marriage.
Allow me to briefly don the mantle of Conspiracy: I wonder how many of these negative comments are being left by people from out of state, conservative interest groups and the like who go across state lines to campaign against gay marriage. I mean, "Rick from Chelsea" -CHELSEA? Seriously?
Far more close to home, I'll remind you New York City, that we still have our northern hinterland brethren up north to deal with....
What bothers me is that people still can't seem to seperate church and state. Marriage is a civil right, not a religious one. We don't live in a country where all marriages are performed by members of the clergy in order to be legal. So, why not extend it to same-sex couples who are already commited to each other? Why should me, my partner, and my friends be treated like second-class citizens?
To AND
No, you are wrong on this issue. This a public radio station that addresses issues that pertain to all people, not just the angry, ignorant and prejudice.
Happy about it but it s receiving way too much media attention. This is not a gay advocacy radio station.
Marriage equality is a civil right; one among many. That it should have taken so long to achieve (assuming, at this moment, it will be achieved even now), is a shameful reminder of how flawed our democracy is; how subject it is to prejudice, ignorance, fear, demagoguery.
What's amazing is that there are so many hateful post on a NY website. I'm shocked over the hate, the ignorance, and the narrow minds who have posted here. What a shame to see!
All of you who just commented...are complete morons..the hell is wrong with you..idiots.
a very, very bad idea. very, very bad. noit good. ......................
Whenever the nation takes a step away from the moral law, there is a disaster. What disaster will soon follow if New York passes same-sex 'marriage'. We'll see.
Bonnie Slotnick Cookbooks is a
rare, gem of a bookstore. It's lovely to know she also has "heart"!
Gross...let's hope the New York Senate does the right thing and rejects this ridiculous bill. Same-sex marriage is not marriage, period.
Leave a Comment
Register for your own account so you can vote on comments, save your favorites, and more. Learn more.
Please stay on topic, be civil, and be brief.
Email addresses are never displayed, but they are required to confirm your comments. Names are displayed with all comments. We reserve the right to edit any comments posted on this site. Please read the Comment Guidelines before posting. By leaving a comment, you agree to New York Public Radio's Privacy Policy and Terms Of Use.