Hundreds of gay couples marry in New York as same-sex weddings are legalised - PinkPaper.com

PinkPaper.com

As reported in so many blogs and editorials, more than 800 couples were expected to have married after the first 24 hours on Sunday the 24th after same-sex marriage was officially recognized in New York, with many opting to marry at the very first opportunity, including Kitty Lambert, 54, and Cheryle Rudd, 53, who became among the first to tie the knot at Niagara Falls soon after midnight. Estimates are that legalizing gay marriage in New York may bring in as much as 155 million dollars to its revenue in the first year through tourism and other means.

So much for the downfall of civilization, loss of tourism, and loss of revenue to the state that so many opposition forces claim would happen if same-sex marriage became legal. With six states now legalizing gay marriage and none reporting that the "sky was falling", New York may become the shining light for other states to also realize that society won't fall apart and that people deserve equal rights, no matter what their sexual orientation is.

Thanks to so many organizations, especially Gov. Cuomo, New York has moved into the 21st century and become a leader for other states. Sadly, such states as Tennessee and Minnesota are so entrenched in the politics of hatred and bigotry that the people living there may never experience equality and enjoy the same rights that heterosexual couples do. There is a long way to go yet and the fight continues. If you are interested in helping in the fight for equality, join an organization such as the HRC and help them fight the fight on our behalf.