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New York, USA: Marriage Equality USA Gala Tuesday in NYC

Sunday, May 19th, 2013

MEUSA LogoThe Marriage Equality USA 15th Annual National Gala, honoring Lea DeLaria, Google and Swish, will bring together LGBT community members and leaders, straight allies, entertainment industry and corporate leaders, and celebrities to raise funds for and highlight contributions to the marriage equality movement, on Tuesday, May 21st, from 6:00-10:00pm at 404 NYC, 404 10th Avenue, New York City.

With the hilarious Stephen Wallem ( Showtime’s Nurse Jackie) as emcee and NBC’s “The Voice” finalist Vicci Martinez performing, guests will enjoy a celebratory evening of cocktails, dinner, entertainment, awards, a silent auction and more! For complete information including media credentials, please visit www.marriageequality.org/gala.

“As an out performer this issue is incredibly personal to me, which is why I have proudly supported both the cause and Marriage Equality USA (MESUA) for many years,” commented performer Lea DeLaria. “It is an honor to be recognized by my friends at MEUSA.”

“Google is proud to support marriage equality and proud of the work our Googlers are doing in cooperation with national leaders like Marriage Equality USA,” said John Burchett, Director of Public Policy for US States, Latin America and Canada for Google.

“Swish is deeply honored to be acknowledged by Marriage Equality USA with its 2013 Community Partner Award. Our 3,000 straight ally and LGBT members around the world are working in partnership with MEUSA to win the freedom to marry – everywhere, and for everyone. Love is love,” remarked Sue Sena, Swish President and Co-Founder.

“This has already been a tremendous year for marriage equality. With four wins last fall at the ballot box and three more in statehouses in the last three weeks, it is truly an honor to recognize the contributions our honorees have made in helping us make this an historic time for marriage equality,” said Brian Silva, Marriage Equality USA Executive Director.

“On Tuesday May 21, on the verge of historic rulings in the landmark marriage cases before the U.S. Supreme Court, our community will gather in New York City to celebrate how far we’ve come and to acknowledge the leaders who are going the distance to make sure the constitution’s fundamental guarantees of freedom and fairness apply to all Americans,” concluded Cathy Marino-Thomas, Marriage Equality USA Board Co-President.

HONOREES:

LEA DeLARIA, Allied Honoree

Lea DeLaria has distinguished herself in every form of entertainment that she touches. She is a Jazz Musician, Broadway Diva, Actor, Writer and Standup Comic. It is plain to see why Ben Brantley describes Lea as “every inch a star!” She was the first openly gay comic to appear on television in the United States (Arsenio Hall 1993). From that point forward Lea toured the world with her one of a kind blend of cool Jazz and in your face comedy, including specials on HBO, SHOWTIME and COMEDY CENTRAL, as well as work in television and movies. She has 5 records out on The Warner Jazz and Classics label and has given concerts in Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, Sydney Opera House, and Royal Albert Hall and was the featured vocalist for the 50th Anniversary of The Newport Jazz Festival. She has done all of the above without ever having once been in the closet!

GOOGLE, Corporate Honoree

Google and its employees actively engaged with the marriage equality campaigns of Fall 2012, including encouraging employees to get involved via a video the employees made to push for others to get involved. As one of the largest corporations to speak out against Proposition 8 in 2008, Google continued that work most recently with the launch of their worldwide “Legalize Love” campaign for LGBT rights.

SWISH, Community Partner Honoree

With more than 3,000 members internationally, Swish creates volunteer, advocacy, and educational opportunities for straight allies to make a difference in the LGBT rights movement. In 2009, Swish was the first organization to endorse the National Equality March in Washington, DC, for which they were named among the Best of Gay New York City by Time Out NY that year. Over the last four years, Swish volunteers have logged hundreds of phone-banking and canvassing hours with state coalitions to win marriage equality in NY, RI, ME, MD, WA, DE and MN!

Featured Gay Friendly Wedding Vendor: Hudson River Photographer, New York

Thursday, April 18th, 2013

Hudson River Photographer , New YorkPeriodically we’ll feature one of our vendors here to let our readers know about some great people who can help you plan the perfect wedding.

Gay Wedding Photography / Videography in New York, NY, USA. The art of the wedding. Hudson River Photographer brings a blend of photojournalism and fine art to your wedding day photos. With a unique style, honed by a background in documentary film, Diane’s unobtrusive style and candid imagery capture the spirit of the independent fun-loving couple.

See the Hudson River Photographer Expanded Listing on Purple Unions Here

Gay Friendly Wedding Vendors in New York

Featured Gay Friendly Wedding Vendor: Rippling Waters Retreat, Delhi, New York

Wednesday, April 17th, 2013

Rippling Waters Retreat - Delhi, New YorkPeriodically we’ll feature one of our vendors here to let our readers know about some great people who can help you plan the perfect wedding.

Gay Wedding Event Location in Delhi, NY, USA. Rippling Waters is located just 2 1/2 hours from New York City. The 400 acres provide miles of trails for hiking and mountain biking. Spectacular photo opportunities are everywhere. Nature walk endlessly and re-establish your connections

See the Rippling Waters Retreat Expanded Listing on Purple Unions Here

Gay Friendly Wedding Vendors in Eastern New York

New York, USA: Coffee Shop Unwittingly Stirs Up Controversy With Marriage Equality Symbol

Friday, March 29th, 2013

New York Coffee Shop - Marriage Equality SymbolismA New York City coffee shop posted a marriage equality symbol and drew the ire of a number of its clients, Pix 11 reports:

It has to do with the shop’s chalkboard sign that the owner, Mary Cantor, says displays the business name and the marriage equality symbol. “Someone contacted us on Facebook saying they’d no longer be patronizing our shop and told others not to as well,” Cantor said… “You just lost two customers with your politicized sandwich board. Alienating the majority of the population is a really irritating and dumb move. We will encourage others not to patronize your business.”

Find more articles and gay wedding resources in New York.

New York, USA: Son of Anti-Gay Senator Ruben Diaz Endorses Marriage Equality

Wednesday, March 27th, 2013

Ruben Diaz Jr.Yesterday, we reported that New York state Senator Ruben Diaz, one of the few democrats there staunchly against marriage equality, was bringing 30 busloads full of people to the NOM hate march. Today, his son spoke out for marriage equality. Think Progress reports:

On Wednesday, the junior Diaz released a long and personal statement announcing his support for same-sex marriage, which has been the national focus this week as the Supreme Court debates the constitutionality of both the Defense of Marriage Act and Proposition 8:

“My decision, which comes after years of thought and reflection on the issue, is informed by the experiences I have had with close friends, family and loved ones. “For example, my chief-of-staff, Paul Del Duca, has for decades worked to help the people of this City. He has helped people find housing and jobs, he has dedicated his professional life to assisting those in need. Why, then, should he and his partner Damion–whose wedding I stood witness to–be denied the same rights of any other loving and committed couple? Moreover, why should my niece, Erica Diaz, be denied the ability to get married when her time comes?”

It’s the young who are making the biggest difference in this fight. Thank you so much, Ruben Diaz Jr., for speaking out!

Binational Gay Couple Living in London Says DOMA Took Away Their Lives

Saturday, February 23rd, 2013

Ben Storey and Brandon PerlbergIn a story we’ve heard all too often, a married binational gay couple was forced to flee the USA to stay together because the Defense of Marriage Act prevented the federal government from recognizing their marriage. On Top Magazine reports:

The couple met in New York as Storey worked as a graphic designer on a temporary visa. Unable to gain a green card based on his employment or on his spousal relationship, Storey, 31, could not remain in the United States… Perlberg left his law firm, rented out his apartment and said goodbye to friends and family to live with Benn in Britain, where he receive a resident visa within 48 hours. In an appearance on CNN, Perlberg, 34, said that being uprooted has left him resentful of his country.

One more piece of evidence about what a spiteful, destructive law DOMA is, and how it is being used to force gay and lesbian couples to separate or flee the country of their birth.

Featured Gay Friendly Wedding Vendor: Holiday Inn Grand Island Resort & Conference Center, Grand Island, New York

Wednesday, January 23rd, 2013

Holiday Inn Grand Island Resort & Conference CenterPeriodically we’ll feature one of our vendors here to let our readers know about some great people who can help you plan the perfect wedding.

The Holiday Inn Grand Island is the only hotel located on the upper banks of the Niagara River.
Each of our 263 guest room has its own private balcony overlooking the country or the breath-taking sunsets over the Niagara river, nestled just 15 minutes between Buffalo, NY and Niagara Falls, NY.

We have over 28,000 square feet of banquet space and an outdoor gazebo for ceremonies along the Niagara River.

See the Grand Island Resort Expanded Listing on Purple Unions Here

Gay Friendly Wedding Vendors in New York

New York, USA: Jesse Tyler Ferguson to Marry Partner Later This Year

Monday, January 21st, 2013

Jesse Tyler Ferguson and fiance Justin Mikita Modern Family co-star Jesse Tyler Ferguson and his fiance Justin Mikita have announced their wedding will take place in New York.

The 37-year-old Ferguson announced his engagement to lawyer Mikita last year.

While not specifying a date, Ferguson told glossy Chicago that the couple will marry sometime this year in New York.

See the Full Story at On Top Magazine

Find more articles and gay wedding resources in New York.

To subscribe to this blog, use the rss feed on the right, or use the form at right to join our email list. You can also email us at info@purpleunions.com. Or find us on Facebook. We’re also tweeting daily at http://www.twitter.com/gaymarriagewatc.

Featured Gay Friendly Wedding Vendor: Stephen Dym, Wedding Officiant, New York, New York

Thursday, January 17th, 2013

Periodically we’ll feature one of our vendors here to let our readers know about some great people who can help you plan the perfect wedding.

Stephen DymI became an InterFaith Minister (licensed to officiate weddings in New York, and in most USA states and internationally) in 2007 knowing that soon you, my LGBT brothers and sisters, would be able to get married.

I feel as if I have been preparing for this job all my life. I am a professional actor, storyteller and art therapist. I have performed about 150 weddings. All weddings are moving, but same-sex weddings have a special resonance because LGBT people have been denied the right to marry until now.

As I stood on the street in front of The Stonewall Tavern at the Gay Pride March the Sunday after the Marriage Equality Act was signed into law in New York on July 24, 2011, my life raced before my eyes. I was deeply moved, as I was reminded of how challenging it was to grow up LGBT in New York City in the 1950s. “Queer” meant something shameful, it was something to be whispered about or ridiculed.

See Stephen Dym’s Expanded Listing on Purple Unions Here

Gay Friendly Wedding Vendors in New York

New York, USA: Good Morning America Anchor Sam Champion Marries Partner

Saturday, December 22nd, 2012

Good Morning America Anchor Sam Champion Marries Partner in New YorkSurrounded by fellow Good Morning America anchors, friends, and family, ABC weatherman Sam Champion was married in New York today.

Champion came out in October in a New York Times story about another television anchor’s marriage — Thomas Roberts of MSNBC and Patrick Abner. Champion had attended their wedding and then mentioned his own engagement to Rubem Robierb, a Brazilian-born artist.

Authored By Lucas Grindley – See the Full Story at The Advocate

Find more articles and gay wedding resources in New York.

To subscribe to this blog, use the rss feed on the right, or use the form at right to join our email list. You can also email us at info@purpleunions.com. Or find us on Facebook. We’re also tweeting daily at http://www.twitter.com/gaymarriagewatc.