Rev. Kaaren Anderson, Co-Parish Minister, First Unitarian Church
Rochester, NY
"Freedom for all! Rights for all! Indeed that has been our motto, for 33 years. The Unitarian Universalist Association has had a long standing and deeply held commitment to support full equality for bisexual, gay, lesbian and transgender people. In 1996, we turned our attention to support for the legalization of same sex marriage.
About a third of the marriages I perform are for gays and lesbians. It is heartbreaking that we as a country, one that stands for equal protection under the law, do not offer these individuals the same protection for their love and commitment that heterosexual couples so easily afford. It is with great enthusiasm, and overwhelming support, that I affirm and advocate for any legislation that would provide equal protection and benefits
to gays and lesbians when they marry that is currently only given to heterosexuals couples."
James V. Bertalone, President
Rochester & Genesee Valley Area Labor Federation
President
Local 215, American Postal Workers Union (APWU)
Rochester, NY
"Union members and the labor movement have a long history of supporting equal rights for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) workers. We know that the denial of marriage equality hurts not just these families but all the family members, neighbors and co-workers who care about the well-being of these couples and their children. We will resist any attempt by anti-worker forces to use this issue in elections this year or beyond to divide working people in order to elect candidates with proven track records of favoring corporate special interests at the expense of working families."
Excerpted from "Union Resolution for Marriage Equality" passed by Executive Board of the Rochester & Genesee Valley Area Labor Federation
Harry Bronson, Assistant Democratic Leader & County Legislator
Monroe County Legislature, 24th District
"The issue of civil marraige for same sex-couples is a legal issue that is a statement about who we are as a society. Do we honor our long tradition of fairness, equality and basic human rights? If so, then to allow same-sex couples the full rights under law --that are the same as and NOT separate are imperative. The simple fact is that same-sex couples love each other, want to make a public expression of their love and commitment and in so doing need and deserve the same legal protections, benefits and responsibility as any other couple in society."
The Reverend Lee Ann Bryce: Pastor, Community Christian Church, United Church of Christ & Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
Rochester, NY
"Full inclusion of lesbian and gay people into the church, as well as in society, is central to my sense of call as a pastor. Given that Jesus, without exception, reached out to those in his society who were the disenfranchised, the marginalized, I believe it to be a Christian imperative to stand with those who are victims of discrimination in our society. Marriage is clearly a civil issue requiring people of all faiths and those who do not profess a faith to stand together in support of equal access to marriage for all people."
Carollee Conklin, City Councilperson At Large
City of Rochester
"I am a strong supporter of same sex civil unions. The issue is one of Civil Rights and Equal treatment for all citizens."
Rev. Jennifer Crow
Associate Minister
First Unitarian Church of Rochester
Rochester, NY
"I believe that where there is love, the sacred is in our midst. I believe that all people have the right to lead lives that express love, justice, mutuality, and commitment - regardless of their gender. These beliefs call me to act in the hope that one day all people will truly be recognized as equal and offered the same rights in our society. I am proud to stand within a religious tradition that has been performing ceremonies of union for same-sex couple for over 30 years - and that actively welcomes gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered people to our congregations. We stand together in the belief that homophobia, not homosexuality, is the sin."
County Legislator C. Stephen Eckel:
Monroe County Legislature, 26th District
"I am proud and excited to be a part of your efforts for all couples to have the same rights under the law. Sad that it has to be made law and not just accepted for itself. Love is a beautiful thing. When I got married I didn't think that my love for my spouse could get more powerful. But I found that a ceremony declaring my love for somebody very special to me strengthened our connection and made our relationship that much stronger. Marriage is a union of love, not of sex. Marriage is a bond and partnership. It is the joining with the mirror of our one true soul. It is about friendship and love. It is a path one shares with their partner. To deny this bond is to deny love."
Town Supervisor Sandra Frankel:
Town of Brighton“Our democracy rests upon the principle that “all men are created equal”, the promise of “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness”, and the rule of law. These words ring as true today as they did at the dawn of our new nation, and this should be the reality for all Americans, but sadly it is not. Every citizen deserves equal treatment under the law, and members of the GLBT community deserve no less. Same sex couples in committed, loving relationships should have the same rights and responsibilities, the same hopes and opportunities that the contract of civil marriage affords to all other couples. This is the civil rights challenge of our time, and respecting the diversity of families is the right thing to do.”
Richard S. Gilbert: Social Justice Coordinator, St. Lawrence Unitarian Universalist District
Rochester, NY
"In January of 1998 I preached a sermon on 'Where Love Is: The Case for Same-Sex Marriage.' In it I said that society should cherish embodiments of mature and responsible love wherever it may be found. It is too bad that the biblical message has been so distorted that hate has been given religious sanction. I have performed several same-sex ceremonies of commitment in the hope that one day I will be able to officiate at the legal marriages of same-sex couples. Love is still the issue."
Town Clerk Susan Kramarsky:
Town of Brighton“The issue of legal marriages is, for me, simply an issue of “liberty and justice for all”. I continue to hope that the sound principles upon which the founders framed the laws are the basis for all of our subsequent interpretations and I look forward as a Town Clerk to issue legal licenses to all who seek the institution of marriage by whatever name it will be called.”
Rabbi Amy J. Sapowith, Temple Sinai
Rochester, NY
"The inspiration that moves two women or two men to marry one another is nothing less than holy. To insist otherwise is to bow down to the false god of gender."
The Reverend Willie J. Seals, Jr.: Interim Pastor, Webster Baptist Church
Rochester, NY
"Why do I support marriage rights for same-sex couples in New York State? Because it's a matter of granting civil rights and equal rights for all New Yorkers. Same-sex couples and their children should be afforded the same legal rights, privileges and protection that civil marriage currently provides a male and female couple and their children."
Thomas Warfield, Performer
Rochester, NY
"It is vital for people of all races, backgrounds and beliefs to stand up against any discriminated and injustice. As a Marriage Equality activist for the Empire State Pride Agenda I believe it is a civil rights issue. Equality is an intrinsic element in the fabric of America; and if any of us are not free to share our love and life with whom we choose then all of us are enslaved and less than what we might be. We need to demand the right to celebrate the many ways we love and demonstrate our commitments to each other and to give voice to the freedom and justice that only equality can give."
The Very Reverend C. Denise Yarbrough: St. Mark's Episcopal Church
Penn Yan, NY
"I support the right of same sex couples to marry because I believe it is a basic human, civil right. I also believe that God blesses these relationships just as God blesses any committed, lifelong monogomous union entered into for the mutual benefit and care of each person. God created us to be in community and for GLB people the community of intimacy that God creates for them is found in intimate relationships with people of the same sex."