Photo: Pride Weekend in the city took on a special sentiment this year after the Supreme Court ruled in favor of same-sex marriage. Courtesy of Rob Bennett/Mayoral Photography Office
Last week’s historic U.S. Supreme Court ruling establishing same-sex marriage as constitutionally sound was hailed across the borough as a huge victory for gay rights—and as legislation that was long overdue.
The nine justices voted 5 to 4 in favor of marriage equality.
Queens Borough President Melinda Katz called the decision a “resounding victory for the principle of equal protection under the law.”
“Thanks to today’s ruling, same-sex couples across the country will no-longer be treated as second-class citizens when it comes to issues regarding the family. This is a great day for those who believe in the dignity of all people,” Katz said.
During his 2012 state Senate run, City Councilman Eric Ulrich (R-Ozone Park) indicated that he did not support gay marriage. However, this Memorial Day weekend, he publically recognized a change of heart.
“The right to marry the person you love is finally the law of the land,” Ulrich posted to his Twitter account last Friday. “It’s days like this that make me proud to be an American #LoveWins.”
Dan Hendrick, a Sunnyside resident and spouse of City Councilman Jimmy Van Bramer (D-Sunnyside) echoed Ulrich’s sentiment.
“This is a proud day, not only for gays and lesbians, but for all Americans,” Hendrick said. “We all deserve the same rights and responsibilities under the law. But more than anything, this is about love. A marriage is a signal to the world that two individuals have made the ultimate commitment to one other.”
City Councilman Donovan Richards (D-Laurelton) added last Friday, “When two people love each other, they will no longer have to worry about expressing that love to each other, and what better way to express it than through marriage. Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness has been guaranteed to millions of Americans and we can all be proud of our democracy this morning.”
Mayor Bill de Blasio framed the Supreme Court ruling as a watershed event.
“America will never forget this day, and neither will people all across the world who know the meaning of love and compassion,” he said. “June 26, 2015, will forever be memorialized as a pivotal moment in the history of our nation—the day the Supreme Court affirmed our core values of love, equality, and justice, rejected ignorance and malice, and appealed to the humanity in us all. Our country will finally afford millions of Americans the rights they have always deserved, but until now were unable to exercise.”
U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) also lauded the high court’s ruling for its historical significance.
“As has been said, ‘The arc of history is long and it bends in the direction of justice.’ Thank you to five Supreme Court heroes for helping bend it a little sooner,” Schumer related.
President Barack Obama called the ruling “a victory for America.”
Elsewhere in the city, Gov. Andrew Cuomo officiated a gay wedding at the Stonewall Inn in Greenwich Village on Sunday morning.
“This is a proud day for America because it stands up to one of the principles that make America so special,” he said.
In addition to the Supreme Court’s historic decision, Stonewall last week received its own recognition as it was granted landmark status by the city Landmarks Preservation Commission. The bar was the site of the 1969 Stonewall Riots, largely credited with sparking the gay rights movement.
The LPC’s vote denotes the first time a site has been landmarked in the city due to its significance to LGBT history. The riots are recalled in gay pride events annually in the city and around the world.
By Alan Krawitz
