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Markowitz on Gay Marriage: "Love Is Love"

Borough president announces Gay Marriage Expo, says Borough Hall welcomes same-sex wedding ceremonies at yesterday's celebration of gay marriage bill's passage.

 

In celebration of last week's gay marriage victory, Brooklyn residents gathered at Borough Hall Wednesday night to break out the bubbly at Love is Love, a champagne toast hosted by Borough President Marty Markowitz.

Two versions of "wedding" cake were served—one gay-themed, the other Lesbian. More than 100 LGBT supporters showed up to partake in the festivities. Markowitz kicked things off under a rainbow-colored Chuppah, or covering, traditionally used during Jewish wedding ceremonies. 

And though same-sex marriages will not be legal until July 24, Markowitz and other elected officials said they couldn't wait to get an expected wave of invitations from gay couples, who after years of fighting for marriage equality, finally have a chance to walk down the aisle or hoist their own Chuppah.

Markowitz also announced a wedding "expo" for July 25 at Borough Hall, the "first marriage equality, gay marriage expo," which will feature a range of services catered exclusively to same-sex marriages.

For couples waiting to celebrate the big day, Markowitz announced that Borough Hall will be open—and staffed with a photographer—for those planning to get married on July 24, the same day the new law goes into effect.

"You don't have to go to Manhattan to get married," he quipped.

"This is a wonderful victory, an important victory," said Assemblyman Hakeem Jeffries, D-Brooklyn. "It should resonate not across the state, but across the country and prove to folks once again that we live in a country where good ultimately prevails, and good prevailed."

Jeffries and Markowitz were joined under the Chuppah by State Sen. Velmanette Montgomery, D-Brooklyn, Comptroller John Liu and LGBT activist Carlos Menchaca.

"We are finally one state," Montgomery said, holding up her glass. "We are all the same."

Brooklyn residents Sheila Frayne and Marguerite Adams are one of those couples looking to get marriage—and like many others, they are celebrating finally having one less obstacle to their union, and can't wait to tie the knot.

"I'm very, very proud and happy to be here tonight," Frayne said. "It's just another feather in our hat. Now we can move on and see what the next step is."

Markowitz, a strong supporter of the right of LGBT people to legally marry, drew applause and cheers from the crowd gathered to celebrate the end of a long fight. 

"Bottom line, the message – love is love," Markowitz said.

Related Topics: Brooklyn, Gay Marriage, LGBT, and LGBTQ

Denise Garner

12:46 pm on Wednesday, August 17, 2011

Love is love....And Lust (unnatural affection) is lust!

Reply

Denise Garner

7:07 pm on Wednesday, August 24, 2011

A human being should be in contol of his passions. Lust is a total disregard for what is decent in exchange for wanton, deviate and vile fulfillment. It has nothing to do with love.

Reply

Mike Fagan

10:21 pm on Wednesday, August 24, 2011

While you have convinced me that you hold a negative view of lust, you have not convinced me that it is unnatural.

You have not answered my question.

Reply
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Denise Garner

1:58 pm on Sunday, August 28, 2011

I can see you are doubly confused. Any uncontrollable body action is unnatural.

Mike Fagan

9:26 pm on Sunday, August 28, 2011

Can't something be natural for one person, and not another?

Are you implying that gay and straight people who feel lust are not in control of their actions?

Are you stating that all love between gay people is the result of lust?

...yes, you have confused me greatly.

Reply

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