I am proud to support full MARRIAGE EQUALITY for all LGBT couples! It's important to me to be seen & heard in my support for Civil Rights, I want my gay friends to know that I am an ally in the movement to change hearts, minds, and *the law* in favor of recognizing LOVE, and granting gay couples EQUAL RIGHTS. So on Valentine's Day Monday, February 14th, I joined Marriage Equality New York GetEQUAL NY, the Metropolitan Community Church (MCCNY), Queer Rising, and fellow New Yorkers at The Manhattan Marriage Bureau, near City Hall in lower Manhattan, to stand beside Rob Lassegue & Manuel Reyes, as they attemped to file for a marriage license and join the more than 1.2 million couples who have been married there since 1930. 
We came carrying signs, smiling & showing our love, and demonstrating our commitment to making Marriage Equality a reality. We chanted, shouted, we waved at passing cars, we passed out fliers to people on their way to work. We gathered with pride as Rev. Pat from MCCNY conducted a joint ceremony for a gay couple and a straight couple, demonstrating that LOVE is an equal right! We will continue to speak out, educate, advocate, and protest civil injustice until ALL COUPLES are equated with respect and the same rights under the law. 
It's wonderful to BELIEVE in gay marriage in your heart, but at this critical time in history, it's also important to DEMONSTRATE your belief by telling your family, friends, co-workers, children, neighbors, and community that you ACTIVELY SUPPORT civil rights for gay couples, and you support MARRIAGE EQUALITY. I especially encourage my straight friends to TAKE A STAND and SHOW UP for gay rights rallies wherever you live! Find your local chapter of the grassroots groups & organizations that are taking actions, and support them. It's important to let your gay friends & family know that you are on their side not just in theory, and not quietly...but with PRIDE! http://thenewcivilrightsmovement.com/valentines-day-marriage-equality-wedding-in-manhattan/marriage/2011/02/13/17401
Kris & Nic were sooo excited to come to NYC for the 1st time to celebrate their true love on Valentine's Day weekend! I met them at their mid-town hotel, Millennium Broadway right off Times Square, and we took a cab to the South East corner of Central Park (where the horse & buggies line up). They choose to have their ceremony on The Gapstow Bridge, which is an easy walk close to the corner of the park. It's a small bridge, and no matter what season, you'll often find a saxophone player there doing Frank Sinatra, classic jazz and of course, "New York, New York!" Just behind the bridge is the Central Park Wollman Skating Rink, which turns into a children's amusement/ride park in summertime. It was cold but bright & sunny, and they cuddled up to keep warm as they shared their vows & rings and emotions. I was happy to take pictures for them so they would have plenty of photos to show off at home to their kids, families, and friends. After the ceremony, they planned on celebrating by going to see their favorite Broadway show: Phantom of the Opera! That is TOTALLY how I celebrate special occasions, too! Love it! 
It means so much to me to see true love in action. Nic & Kris are so well matched, I feel lucky to be in the presence of such happiness. We signed a souvenir wedding certificate to commemorate the emotional, spiritual, and symbolic significance of joining their lives. And as soon as the wedding license they are entitled to becomes available, *we will sign that, too!* MARRIAGE EQUALITY! With love, Rev. Annie NYC
