New York says ‘yes’ to gay marriage

When Richie Ryan, a Long Beach resident and longtime gay rights activist, learned that it was now possible for him to legally marry another man in New York, he said he was emotional and proud.

“I was highly elated,” said Ryan, who was a part of the Gay Activist Alliance in the 1970s. “Growing up in the time that I did, and being active in gay politics, I never thought I’d see the day where this would happen. I thought, wow, we’ve come a long way.”

With a vote in the Senate of 33-29, New York became the sixth state in the nation to allow same-sex marriage on June 24 — nine senators from Long Island, all Republican, voted against the bill — which Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed into law shortly before midnight.

New York now joins Connecticut, Iowa, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont and the District of Columbia in allowing gay couples to legally wed. The Marriage Equality Act grants same-sex couples hundreds of rights, benefits and protections that until now have been limited to traditional married couples.

Kim Cosenza, a longtime Long Beach resident who is straight, has been a “big supporter” of gay rights, and said she was thrilled with the passage of same-sex marriage.

“I think it’s about time,” Cosenza said. “I’m hoping that by it passing in New York, it’ll get the ball rolling in other states.”

Local officials also shared similar sentiments about the legalization of same-sex marriage in the state. Assemblyman Harvey Weisenberg (D-Long Beach) said that there should be “equality for all people,” and lauded Governor Cuomo’s decision.

“It’s discriminatory to deny people their rights, according to the Constitution,” Weisenberg said. “I think anyone who wants to give love to each other and to the world, should be allowed to do so. I think people should accept people for who they are.”

Long Beach City Manager Charles Theofan said that the city would be open to marrying couples in Long Beach, whether on the beach, the boardwalk or elsewhere across the barrier island.

“We, of course, are going to issue licenses in accordance with the law, and perform marriages…” Theofan said. “Same-sex couples, in accordance with the law, will be treated exactly like heterosexual couples.”

Ken Page, a Long Beach resident and longtime gay rights supporter said that he, his partner and his family all watched the news that night and spoke immediately after the bill passed.

“It’s a fantastic thing that marriage equality is here in New York,” said Page, a psychotherapist who writes the Finding Love blog for Psychology Today. “It’s historic. It is such a joy. It’s hard to go on with normal life and not just celebrate all the time.”

Page, who has a 10-year-old son, David, said that the move is a “huge difference” for his son, who, when speaking with his elementary school friends, would often hear that “men can’t marry each other.”

“For years, he felt helpless,” Page said, noting that now, things are different. “He chooses people who understand, and avoids people who don’t. The best part of this is that it’s becoming less of an issue.”

Ryan, who grew emotional while speaking of the passage of the equality bill, recalled his experiences in the 1970s when he was disparaged for being openly gay.

“People would harass you then, physically or verbally,” Ryan said. “I was in the street [once] and a couple of guys yelled out at me,” he said, adding that the men threatened to “beat him straight.”

They followed him, he said, until he entered a store, used a payphone and called the police. “I can still remember it like it was yesterday — I was told that I deserved it because I was a faggot,” Ryan said of the police officers’ response.

Ryan, who has been openly gay for years, said that he is elated to know that he now has the same rights as those of heterosexual couples, and said that the new law is a historic moment for those advocating for gay rights.

“The times have changed, and I’m very grateful for that,” he said. “I would get married, and I’d be very proud to do so. I can’t change. I’ve tried. It’s who I am.”

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