“A planner well-versed and used to working in the world of GLBT weddings would have seen these pitfalls coming. They should would have their own list of fully-vetted vendors that aren’t going to care what a couple’s orientation is…”

Andrew Cuomo, who solidified his standing for the 2016 Democratic presidential primary with the passage of same-sex marriage in New York, went broad in his message at the Empire State Pride Agenda dinner last night, urging gay marriage for every state:

When one is courting and inviting gay and lesbian couples as clients, it isn’t enough to simply be “welcoming” or “gay friendly”. Vendors cannot be lazy.

Hours ago, President Obama indicated his support for the “Respect for Marriage Act” (RFMA; H.R. 1116)

This bill would repeal the 1996 Defense of Marriage act (DOMA) and would provide substantive benefits to couples, federally, while not placing demands on peripheral agencies, such as churches, states or municipalities to be cajoled into doing anything that would be considered injurious to their laws, codes or beliefs.

According to Wikipedia:

Text of the Bill

H.R. 3567 amends Section 7 of title 1 in the United States Code to read:

(a) For the purposes of any Federal law in which marital status is a factor, an individual shall be considered married if that individual’s marriage is valid in the State where the marriage was entered into or, in the case of a marriage entered into outside any State, if the marriage is valid in the place where entered into and the marriage could have been entered into in a State.(b) In this section, the term `State’ means a State, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or any other territory or possession of the United States.^[5]

The matter goes before the Senate Judiciary Committee tomorrow.

READ MORE at the current.com site, for the breaking news written of by their staff writer.

So now it’s done, right?  In 30 days, when the ruling becomes settled law, what will people say about the fortitude and resoluteness of Governor Andrew Cuomo (D-NY)?

Probably much of what they’re saying now:  That is was done in the darkest, corners of the law.  That it was less than legal.  There are those that assert that is a conspiracy of epic proportions.  I’ll be blogging on this later, once the dust settles, and I’ll have some strong questions to pose.

In the mean time, here is an exclusive piece from Paul Schindler of  Gay City news!

“Cuomo Talks About How It Got Done”

Below is the press release from the news conference announcing the lawsuit, which was filed today.

If ever there was a time to donate to Garden State Equality, this is it.  One reason New York won marriage equality is that our side had more resources than the opposition.   That’s never been the case in New Jersey.   We don’t have Manhattan to bankroll a campaign.   With all our hearts, we ask you to consider making a tax-deductible donation to Garden State Equality at www.GardenStateEquality.org

It is an investment in your life or the lives of people you love.  We thank you profoundly.

GARDEN STATE EQUALITY V. DOW FILED TODAY

Trenton, June 29, 2011 — Today Garden State Equality and seven same-sex couples and their children, represented by Lambda Legal, filed a lawsuit seeking marriage equality in New Jersey.  Garden State Equality is the lead plaintiff in the case, captioned Garden State Equality et. al. v. Dow et. al.

The case combines both state and federal claims. It argues that the civil union law violates both the New Jersey Constitution and the Fourteenth Amendment of the federal Constitution.

“The constitutional guarantee of equality under the law does not stop midway through the Lincoln Tunnel,” said Hayley Gorenberg, Lambda Legal Deputy Legal Director. “Our clients have been kept from each other during medical crises, denied health insurance, and even discriminated against in funeral homes because their civil unions relegate them to second-class status.  New Jersey’s same-sex couples have been stuck in a limbo caused by the confusion and indignity of living with an inferior status.”

“By now, everybody in New Jersey knows that civil unions don’t work,” said Steven Goldstein, Chair and CEO of Garden State Equality.  “Since civil unions became law in New Jersey, Garden State Equality has received reports from multitudes of civil union couples who have told us their employers refuse to provide the equal rights and benefits the civil union law mandates. It’s time for the courts to fix this mess and give full marriage equality to New Jersey’s same-sex couples and their children.”

In court papers filed today, Lambda Legal addressed how New Jersey’s civil unions fall short. Civil unions place same-sex couples in an inferior status to different-sex couples. Without full marriage equality, same-sex couples are denied workplace benefits and protections equal to those accorded to married people, and they are blocked from seeing their loved ones during medical emergencies.  The exclusion of same-sex couples from marriage deprives them and their children of  their dignity as a family and certainty in their legal rights and status to each other.

Plaintiffs:

Garden State Equality, New Jersey’s largest civil rights organization, is the lead plaintiff in the case.

The plaintiff couples include:  Daniel Weiss, 46, and John Grant, 46, of Asbury Park, who have been together for four years and were married in Connecticut in 2010 after John was hit by a car, shattering his skull, and hospital administrators failed to understand their civil union; Marsha Shapiro, 56, and Louise Walpin, 57, of Monmouth Junction, who have been together for 22 years and raised four children; Cindy Meneghin, 53, and Maureen Kilian, 53, of Butler, who were high school sweethearts and have been together for 36 years, raising two children; Tevonda and Erica Bradshaw, both 36, of North Plainfield, who have an infant son and have been together for more than four years; Marcye and Karen Nicholson-McFadden, 47 and 45 respectively, of Aberdeen, who have been together for 21 years and have two children; Keith Heimann, 53, and Tom Davidson, 49, of Shrewsbury, who will celebrate their 25th anniversary together in January, and have two daughters; Elena and Liz Quinones, 33 and 45 respectively, of Phillipsburg, who are raising four children and have been together for nine years.

Background:

In 2002, Lambda Legal filed a historic case, Lewis v. Harris seeking marriage equality on behalf of seven New Jersey couples. The case reached the New Jersey Supreme Court in 2006. The high court ruled unanimously that same-sex couples must be provided all the benefits and responsibilities of marriage, although it declined to mandate that marriage was specifically required, and gave the state legislature 180 days to provide equality. The legislature hastily passed a civil union law in December 2006, and began issuing civil union licenses to same-sex couples in February 2007.

In December 2008 the Civil Union Review Commission, appointed by the legislature pursuant to the Civil Union Act itself, issued its unanimous report documenting how civil unions fall short of providing the court-mandated equality for same-sex couples. In January 2010, days before the legislative session ended, the New Jersey Senate voted on and failed to pass a marriage equality law. On March 18, 2010, Lambda Legal filed a motion in aid of litigants’ rights asking the New Jersey Supreme Court to intercede and order marriage to secure compliance with its original mandate of equality for the Lewis v. Harris plaintiffs, but in July 2010, the New Jersey Supreme Court denied the motion, requiring further proceedings to develop a record in Superior Court.

Hayley Gorenberg, Deputy Legal Director, is handling this case for Lambda Legal. She is joined by co-counsel Lawrence S. Lustberg and Eileen Connor of Gibbons, PC.

Notes:

Please be aware that the forms on the DOH website, at the time of this posting, have not yet been altered to include designations other than “Bride & Groom”. We will keep you posted once the forms have been corrected.

All our best wishes, joy and congratulations to the family!

We’ve DONE it!

This is a remarkable moment in all of our lives!  Under the law, we are no longer second class citizens.  Congratulations and thank you for all your hard work!

New York’s bill A8520-2011, passed this day: Relates to the ability to marry; amends a chapter of the laws of 2011, as proposed in legislative bill number A. 8354, in relation to the statutory construction of such chapter.

I have just been given authorization to make the following contribution to the community to herald this triumph, celebrate this new equality and give back to the family in direct balance with rewarding you for your grace, diligence and how hard you’ve fought to achieve this hard won victory.  Even in the midst of horrible rancor and and bigotry.

savvyplanners.com does not “discount” our offerings, much like other luxury brands.   We are America’s oldest, GLBTQI-specific wedding and event firm in history.  We have been here in the trenches since 2003/04, protecting and defending the honor, significance and gravitas of GLBT events.

This gesture and incentive is our way of immediately standing up, out and proud, of all your hard work. We are so proud of you, our legislators and our representatives.  The victory belongs to all those unstoppable volunteers, protesters, phone bank workers, lobbyists,  supporters and allies, who worked tirelessly to bring about marriage equality for us all, under the law.

For the next six weeks, beginning on Monday, June 27, 2011, since it’s in the SIXTH month when we achieved marriage equality, any New York State couples (limited to only 10 couples seeking to marry this year),  I am now permitted to offer our first company-wide, sanctioned discount, ever, for our luxury wedding and event planning expertise.  This will NOT be permitted in New York again, but we are so PROUD of this moment in time, we wish to give back!!

Not only that, a full twenty percent (20%) of the design and coordination fee paid to the company will be irrevocably deposited, verified and immediately placed in escrow for giving to those in need via my charity, The Marcinho Savant Foundation, as a personal sacrifice on my part to congratulate you all and help others at the same time!  If your favorite charity is not presently supported by my foundation, arrangements will be made for your desired charity to receive the donation instead.

Some of you may have seen me featured as one, of only three, wedding design and planning experts serving New York in “Next Magazine’s New York Gay Wedding Guide” (2011).

“There are many, many wedding and event professionals in New York.  Some are even experts.  Nothing will make me happier than to stand with my brothers and sisters, as a member of this family, and assure your event will champion your vision and exceed your dreams.” – Marcinho Savant

Contact us by clicking our contact page.   Or eMail me personally.

We have overcome!

UPDATE: NY MARRIAGE REQUIREMENT DATA

” width=”13″ height=”13″ />	MARRIAGE INFORMATION FOR SAME-SEX COUPLES
” width=”13″ height=”13″ />	Submit Your Applications Online

UPDATE:  To serve you better, our Lexington Avenue office is up and ready to schedule appointments!  The NYC number is: 646.688.4461.

In a dramatic public apology on the Senate floor today, New Jersey Senate President Steve Sweeney says his not voting for marriage equality was “the biggest mistake of my career”…

Asked how he felt about his upcoming appearance, Kroell eMailed: “Step aside Martha Stewart, SavvyLiving is what it is all about! I’m so pumped to spend my afternoon with Marcinho and his loyal listeners. No topic is off limits, so let’s get Savvylicious.” The star will discuss many facets of his life with the host.