Statewide

Bruce Raynor, President
UNITE HERE*
* for identification only

"I support the Marriage Equality campaign as a union leader because I have dedicated my entire working life to fighting against injustice and discrimination in any and all forms. I am proud to stand with my brothers and sisters at Empire State Pride in support of this important struggle."

Dennis Rivera, President
1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East

“While members of SEIU 1199 have a variety of views about marriage, according to their personal or religious beliefs, it is a fundamental, uniting principle of our organization that all people are entitled to equal rights. We therefore support the right of same-sex couples to access the full and equal rights, responsibilities and economic benefits of civil marriage and oppose laws and constitutional amendments that deny that right.”

Chris Shelton, Vice President
District One, Communication Workers of America (CWA)

"As trade unionists, we believe all workers are entitled to a discrimination-free workplace with full parity in benefits, pay, and fair treatment outside of the job, including gay and lesbian workers. The U.S. General Accounting Office has documented more than 1,000 federal benefits and protections accorded by civil marriage. The Communications Workers of America supports the rights of all our members to access the full and equal rights of civil marriage."

Ellen N. Wallace
President
National Organization of Legal Services Workers, Local 2320
United Auto Workers (UAW)

"The National Organization of Legal Services Workers (NOLSW/UAW Local 2320) and the International UAW has a long history of opposing discrimination of all forms including discrimination based on sexual orientation. NOLSW and the UAW have fought to include health and leave benefits in our collective bargaining agreements on a non-discriminatory basis for all employees, including domestic partners. However, there are thousands of rights and benefits extended to married couples under local, state and federal laws that are not available to same-sex couples. For example, survivor benefits under worker's compensation laws, Social Security, and pensions are all linked to marital status. The right to be at the bedside of a seriously ill spouse, to make medical decisions for an incapacitated spouse, to sponsor a spouse under immigration laws, to pursue wrongful death claims, to take advantage of countless tax and government benefits, among other rights and benefits are simply not available to same-sex couples without the right to civil marriage. Discrimination against same-sex couples violates their human rights and their rights as workers to enjoy the same rights and benefits as other married couples. Only marriage can assure full equality under the law."

Buffalo & Western New York

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."

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."

Rochester Area

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

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."

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."

Syracuse & Central New York

The Honorable Michelle C. Berry, Alderperson/City Councilperson
City of Ithaca

"I believe that the right to marry for all citizens, regardless of gender, is one of our largest civil and human rights battles. As a bi woman married to a man, I am certainly and often painfully aware of the privileges bestowed upon male-female partners who have united in marriage. Research indicates that denying equal rights to same-sex couples causes harm in many ways, perhaps the most potent being the damage done to psychological well-being for couples and their families. Granting the privilege of marriage to same-sex couples is what we'd expect and must demand from a progressive state such as ours."

Marshall Blake, President
Central New York Area Labor Federation
Executive Vice President
Service Employees International Union (SEIU) 1199Upstate
Syracuse, 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 Central New York Area Labor Federation

The Rev. Craig Schaub, Plymouth Congregational Church, United Church of Christ
Syracuse, NY

"Last night I awoke in the night, checked on my little daughter, rolled back into bed next to my wife, and was overcome by a sense of deep gratitude for my marriage and the opportunity to be a dad, and even the legal privileges that come with those experiences. In the midst of my gratitude, I suddenly also felt a deep mourning. That mourning comes from the realization that not all committed life partners are afforded the same legal privileges. In spite of the fact that my church offers same-sex couples an opportunity to celebrate their commitment in a sacred service, seek a divine blessing for their relationship, and seek spiritual support in community, we are still, by virtue of being agents of the state in many marriages, complicit participants in what amounts to a social and spiritual apartheid. I pledge to help stop it."

Capital District & North Country

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."

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."

Westchester & Hudson Valley

Bishop Francisco J. Betancourt, FCR, Holy Innocents Church
Margaretville, NY

"Where love is present, God is present. As a Bishop in the Catholic Apostolic Church in North America, I support the Marriage Equality Act. Individuals who are in a committed relationship should be given the same privilege as others to have the love for one another recognized by our governments. There is no room in either government or religions for discrimination."

Assemblymember Richard Brodsky
Representing part of Westchester County

"I believe that that New York will be a better, stronger place when all loving, committed couples - including same-sex couples - have access to legal marriage."

Jeanne E. Mettler, Attorney
Bedford Hills, NY

"A civil marriage is a civil right. Marriage carries with it not only countless tangible rights, but also dignity, esteem and acceptance. To deny these rights to same sex couples renders them second class citizens and demeans the history of civil rights in this State."

Fr. John B. Warfel, Rector, Grace Episcopal Church
Middletown, NY

"Marriage equality is a social justice issue. Biblical literalists who claim to know the Mind of God on issues of sexuality are free to believe and preach whatever they choose, just as I am; but none of us is free to deny another citizen basic civil liberties."

New York City

Barbara Bowen, President
Professional Staff Congress (PSC)/City University of NY
American Federation of Teachers (AFT)
New York, NY

"Unions have always been about rights, and the union movement is at its most powerful when we fight to expand the civil and economic rights of all-not just union members. Equal access to marriage-as a unique social institution of a civil society-is a fundamental civil right. Marriage bestows 1,138 federal protections and benefits, including the right to hospital visitation, to financial benefits, to numerous protections for children. No one should be denied these rights on the basis of sex, gender-identity, sexual orientation or affectional preference. An injury to one is an injury to all."

Arthur Cheliotes, President
Local 1180, Communication Workers of America (CWA)
New York, NY

"Workers are workers, no matter their orientation or color. They need to have equal rights, equal opportunities, and the right to decent life."

May Y. Chen, International Vice President & Secretary-Treasurer
New York Metropolitan Area Joint Board
UNITE HERE
New York, NY

"As a long-time advocate for equal rights, tolerance, and privacy, I support the Freedom to Marry initiative. I believe that adults in a committed relationship should be able to enjoy the legal rights and benefits of marriage."

Barbie Gatton, President
Committee of Interns & Residents*
Service Employees International Union (SEIU)
*for identification only

"For years, union members have embraced all families, gay and straight. Gay families have become more visible in the workplace. People came to realize that equal pay for equal work includes the idea of health care benefits for gay families. While health care benefits are a step toward social justice, true equality cannot be achieved unless gay couples are entitled to civil marriage and all the rights that go with it."

John Gillis, International Vice President & General Manager
New York Joint Board
UNITE HERE
Metro New York and New Jersey

"As a labor organization, we believe gay marriage is a human right. Anyone who claims to be for family values has to recognize the value of family."

William F. Henning, Jr., Second Vice President
Local 1180, Communication Workers of America (CWA)
New York, NY

"By bargaining domestic partner language in contracts we negotiate we have attempted to secure the same benefits for all our members, and it has worked well for some benefits--but not for others. Some government programs available to spouses are not available to domestic partners. That is why all workers must be entitled to full and equal rights of civil marriage."

Fred Kaplan, President
Retail Employees Union Local 340
UNITE HERE
New York, NY

"Local 340 for many years has had same-sex domestic partner benefits in our health insurance plan, but we believe that all the benefits of marriage should be extended to these families."

Wilfredo Larancuent, International Vice President & Manager
Laundry, Drycleaning and Allied Workers Joint Board
UNITE HERE
Metro NY

"Marriage is an issue of people loving each other and wanting to spend their lives together. They can be black and white, man and woman, woman and woman or man and man. It's a civil rights issue."

Sally Otos, Esq. , Founding Local Officer
Columbia University Clericals Local 2110 United Auto Workers (UAW)
Currently Counsel to Columbia Medical School SEIU Local 693
New York, NY

"As a Local Officer of the clerical workers union at Columbia University, I remember negotiating domestic partner Bereavement Leave during the AIDS epidemic. Lesbian and gay union families at Columbia University now have domestic partner health benefits as well. But as a labor, employment and civil rights attorney, I see the thousand civil disadvantages these families face all the time-from immigration to inheritance to child custody issues. Only the New York State Courts or the State Legislature can complete the work that I helped begin over 20 years ago to provide equal rights and economic justice for gay and lesbian families. As a lesbian whose partner died without access to my medical benefits, I feel the lack of those rights every day."

Maida Rosenstein, President
Technical, Office and Professional Local 2110
United Auto Workers (UAW)
New York, NY

"Our union has fought for years to establish domestic partner benefits in our contract negotiations with employers, because we believe in equal coverage for ALL of our members, straight or gay. Marriage equality is a matter of justice and fairness."

Assemblywoman Linda Rosenthal
New York State Assembly, 67th District
Representing part of Manhattan

Senator John D. Sabini
New York State Senate, 13th District
Representing part of Queens

Lynn Taylor, President
Local 1930, District Council 37
American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME)
Manhattan and the Bronx

"Marriage is a basic civil right and should be extended to all, regardless of their sexual orientation."

Region 9A New York Metro Community Action Program (CAP) Council
United Auto Workers (UAW)
New York, NY

"For many years the UAW has worked hard to protect the rights of our lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender members and their families against discrimination and bigotry. In fact as far back as 1982 he UAW pioneered domestic partner benefits for its members at the Village Voice. The UAW membership in N.Y. includes a wide range of white collar and blue collar workers - from university adjunct professors, university teaching and research assistants to legal aid lawyers, and from creative and technical writers to auto repair mechanics and various other industrial workers. But we are all agreed that same-sex couples should have the civil right to marriage and the approximately 1500 other legal benefits and protections that can't be won through collective bargaining, but can come through marriage equality."

Randi Weingarten, President
United Federation of Teachers (UFT)
American Federation of Teachers (AFT)
New York, NY

"All New Yorkers who want to marry should be allowed to do so. Period."

Long Island

Thomas F. Liotti, Esq., Village Justice
Westbury

"I support equal rights and the right of gays and lesbians to marry. There should be a change in the law to allow for equality. As a Village Justice for the Incorporated Village of Westbury, if the law were changed, I would be honored to perform gay marriage ceremonies."