Freedom to Marry Week Storms New York City Hall

picture-27New York’s City Hall turned away hundreds of same-sex couples who showed up today to be apply for marriage licenses as part of a week-long national demonstration highlighting marriage inequality in the United States. The 12th annual ‘Freedom to Marry’ week sponsored by the organization with the same name has committed to daily demonstrations to make the case for equal rights for gays and lesbians. If you couldn’t make it down to City Hall today, tomorrow’s activity only requires a cell phone– organizers are urging people to ‘Txt for Equality’. Details here.

The AP spoke with some of the would be wedded outside City Hall:

“Hundreds of same-sex couples seeking to wed were turned away from the city marriage bureau Thursday, part of a nationwide protest aimed at recent decisions restricting the right to marry to a man and a woman.

Wearing signs that said “Just Not Married,” the activists were part of a wave of demonstrations expected throughout the day at marriage bureaus or county clerks’ offices from New York City to California, in communities large and small.

Matt Flanders, 37, of Brooklyn, participated with his 29-year-old partner, Will Jennings. Both wore gold engagement rings.

When he was denied a marriage license, Flanders said he told officials: “‘I should be able to marry the person I love.’ And they said, `We can only offer you a domestic partnership.'”

Micah Stanek, 23, stood outside in a floor-length wedding veil after he and his partner were rejected. He said he moved to New York from San Francisco after gay marriage was outlawed in California on the November ballot.

“New York is especially important because the rest of the country follows what happens here,” he said.

Outside the bureau, protesters sang “Love and Marriage” and chanted, “What do we want? Marriage! When do we want it? Now!” One man held a sign that read: “Love your husband? Let me love mine!”

Don't forget to share:

Help make sure LGBTQ+ stories are being told...

We can't rely on mainstream media to tell our stories. That's why we don't lock Queerty articles behind a paywall. Will you support our mission with a contribution today?

Cancel anytime · Proudly LGBTQ+ owned and operated