Advisory: Senator Squadron, Colleagues to Host "After 'I Do': What's Next for LGBT New Yorkers?"

Forum Will Bring Together Public Officials, Experts, Advocates to Address Obstacles Still Facing Married LGBT New Yorkers 

NEW YORK – State Senator Daniel Squadron, Congressmembers Carolyn Maloney, Jerrold Nadler and Nydia Velázquez, Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer, Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz, Assemblymembers Deborah J. Glick, Brian Kavanagh, Joseph R. Lentol and Joan Millman, Councilmembers Margaret Chin, Brad Lander, Stephen Levin, and Rosie Mendez, and the Senate sponsor of marriage equality State Senator Tom Duane will host a public forum on the challenges that remain for married LGBT New Yorkers following this year’s historic passage of marriage equality.

The forum, titled “After ‘I Do’: What’s Next for LGBT New Yorkers?” will be held on Tuesday, August 16th, 2011 at 6:30PM at the Borough of Manhattan Community College.

The federal Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), as well as the religious exemptions included in the New York marriage equality bill, create a number of obstacles and questions for same-sex couples, even if they're married under New York law – including social security, health benefits, federal pension benefits, tax returns, interstate travel and relocation, and adoption.

The forum will address these issues and bring together representatives from the Empire State Pride Agenda, New York Civil Liberties Union, Lambda Legal, and the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, as well as officials from the federal and state governments.

WHAT:          After ‘I Do’: What’s Next for LGBT New Yorkers?

WHEN:          Tuesday, August 16th, 2011 - 6:30PM to 8:00PM

WHERE:        Borough of Manhattan Community College – Richard Harris Terrace, 199 Chambers Street, New York, NY 10013

RSVP:            RSVP to squadron@nysenate.gov

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Media Contact:  Amy Spitalnick / 212.298.5565 / spitalni@nysenate.gov