Wedding bells ring for gay New Yorkers

Queens Chronicle quoted Senator Gianaris on the historic passage of the Marriage Equality Act.

It is said that marriage marks the beginning of the rest of your life, and for gay and lesbian New Yorkers, Friday night was nothing less than a fresh start.

“We are now being treated as fully equal citizens,” said gay Councilman Danny Dromm (D-Jackson Heights), touting the passage of state legislation legalizing same-sex marriage. “Having the option just makes us more whole as human beings, whether we choose to get married or not.”

In bars and in clubs, in homes and on the steps of City Hall, New Yorkers from all walks of life celebrated.

“This was a day in New York state history that we are going to remember for a long time,” said state Sen. Mike Gianaris (D-Astoria) who was in Albany to cast his vote in support of marriage equality. “I have never seen anything like it in my 10 years in the legislature. The anticipation and excitement has never been greater.” The chamber was filled with people who wanted to witness the vote, and when it passed, Gianaris said chants of “USA! USA!” erupted.

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