Earlier this summer, elected officials told our community that there would be another opportunity this fall for the marriage equality bill to be taken up by the State Senate.  Now that summer has come and gone it’s time for the State Senate to provide the leadership we need to get the marriage bill onto the floor for a respectful debate and vote. Only 62 individuals stand between thousands of New York families and the 1,324 rights and protections that come with a New York State marriage license.

We need you to write your State Senator now and let him/her know that you’re done waiting. LGBT New Yorkers and our allies—along with a majority of New Yorkers—expected that marriage equality would have been taken up by now in the Senate.

Although none of our issues had anything to do with the June 8 coup in the State Senate, this event paralyzed state government for more than a month and left us with no choice but to wait longer for our equality. It’s time that legislators from both sides of the aisle make good on their commitment to reform and act quickly to bring the marriage equality bill to the floor for a vote.

You can send the letter below to your State Senator with just a few mouse clicks. Feel free to edit the text provided to send a personalized message to your State Senator. We need you to remind them that we need their leadership NOW. Our equality and our families depend on it.

Subject: Bring the marriage bill to the floor for a vote

Dear [decision maker name automatically inserted here],

I need you to do what you can to help bring the marriage equality bill (S.4401) to the floor for a vote.

The events of the summer took us all by surprise, but they're quite simply not an excuse to do nothing. Same-sex couples and their families cannot and should not have to wait any longer for a vote that will determine if they will have access to the 1,324 rights and protections that our state provides to all other married couples.

Senators have frequently called for reform over the summer. Real reform would be to make sure an issue like marriage equality - an issue that touches tens of thousands of New York families - gets the fair attention it deserves. It's time for a vote on marriage. I don't want to be told to wait any longer.

I am asking you to be a leader and urge your colleagues to do the right thing and bring the marriage equality bill to the Senate floor as soon as possible for a long-deserved vote.

Sincerely,

[Your Name]

cc:
Senator John Sampson (if you live in New York)