IF YOU ARE UPSET ABOUT YESTERDAY'S SENATE VOTE

THEN GET INVOLVED! A FACEBOOK POST ABOUT HOW IT'S UPSETTING YOU OR PUTTING EQUALITY AS YOUR MIDDLE NAME DOES NOT WORK. HERE IS EMAIL FROM EMPIRE STATE PRIDE AGENDA URGING YOU TO THANK THE SENATORS WHO DID VOTE FOR GAY MARRIAGE. IF YOU AREN'T INVOLVED IN THE LEGISLATIVE PROCESS THEN YOU HAVE NO RIGHT TO COMPLAIN.

FROM EMPIRE STATE PRIDE AGENDA:



I know that this week’s heartbreaking vote in the New York State Senate against marriage equality has deeply affected all of us. From the anger and sadness felt by those of you who, like my family and me, are directly affected by the denial of a marriage license and the legal protections that come with it—to the pain of being treated like second class citizens—to the emotions felt by our allies who are devastated by the discrimination against their LGBT friends and loved ones, we have all experienced a profound loss that we must ponder as we look to our future. But as we react to the vote from our gut, heart and head, we must not forget to express our immense gratitude to the 24 Senators who stood with us.



On Wednesday, Dec. 2, 2009, 24 Senators made history with their votes on the side of equality and justice for our families. There were 24 Senators who showed real leadership and had the courage and conviction to stand behind our community. And while only one of the Senators who voted “no” on the bill had any inclination to explain his vote, many of those who stood with us gave moving, poignant speeches about their dedication to rights for LGBT people and all New Yorkers. These Senators stood with our community, and we must now stand with them. It’s crucial that we thank these leaders and let them know how much we appreciate their dedication to protecting all of New York’s families.



The names, phone numbers and email addresses for the 24 Senators who voted “yes” on marriage are below. You can click here to find out who your Senator is. In addition, I’ve included links to the videos of many of these Senators’ remarkable floor speeches so you can hear their amazing words in support of our community. Please take the time to call and/or email all of these exemplary leaders and thank them for their support. Tell them your personal stories and how you feel about the important stand they’ve taken. And make sure that they know that, as our community looks to the future and continues to fight for the crucial protections that LGBT New Yorkers and our families need and deserve, we are incredibly proud to have them by our side.



With hope,



Alan Van Capelle





24 Senators who voted “yes” on marriage equality:



* Eric Adams (video) — (718) 284-4700, eadams@senate.state.ny.us
* Neil Breslin — (518) 455-2225, breslin@senate.state.ny.us
* Martin Malave Dilan — (718) 573-1726, dilan@senate.state.ny.us
* Tom Duane (video) — (212) 633-8052, duane@senate.state.ny.us
* Pedro Espada (video) — (718) 220-5480, espada@senate.state.ny.us
* Brian Foley — (631) 360-3356, bfoley@senate.state.ny.us
* Ruth Hassell-Thompson (video) — (718) 547-8854, hasselt@senate.state.ny.us
* Craig Johnson (video) — (516) 746-5923, johnson@senate.state.ny.us
* Jeffrey Klein (video) — (718) 822-2049, jdklein@senate.state.ny.us
* Liz Krueger (video) — (212) 490-9535, lkrueger@senate.state.ny.us
* Velmanette Montgomery (video) — (718) 643-6140, montgome@senate.state.ny.us
* Suzi Oppenheimer (video) — (914) 934-5250, oppenhei@senate.state.ny.us
* Kevin Parker — (718) 629-6401, parker@senate.state.ny.us
* Bill Perkins — (212) 222-7315, perkins@senate.state.ny.us
* John Sampson — (718) 649-7653, sampson@senate.state.ny.us
* Diane Savino (video) — (718) 727-9406, savino@senate.state.ny.us
* Eric Schneiderman (video) — (212) 544-0173, schneide@senate.state.ny.us
* Jose Serrano (video) — (212)-828-5829, serrano@senate.state.ny.us
* Malcolm Smith — (718) 528-4290, masmith@senate.state.ny.us
* Daniel Squadron (video) — (212) 298-5565, squadron@senate.state.ny.us
* Toby Ann Stavisky — (718) 445-0004, stavisky@senate.state.ny.us
* Andrea Stewart-Cousins — (914) 771-4190, scousins@senate.state.ny.us
* Antoine Thompson — (716) 854-8705, athompso@senate.state.ny.us
* David Valesky — (315) 478-8745, valesky@senate.state.ny.us

MORE INFO: PRIDEAGENDA.ORG