(Image source: The New York Times)
BY: TRACY PFEIFFER
ANCHOR: GARY COTTON
Literally seconds after New York’s same-sex marriage law went into effect -- the state’s first same-sex couple exchanged their “I dos.”
New York media are pointing to now-newlywed couple Kitty Lambert and Cheryle Rudd as the state’s very first same-sex spouses.
They tied the knot at 12:01 a.m. Sunday, against the backdrop of Niagara Falls -- lit rainbow for the occasion. (Video: WGRZ)
“When that bell tolls at midnight tonight, and a new day dawns, literally a new day will dawn in New York.” (YNN)
Bloomberg reports -- employees at clerk’s offices across state -- including all five of New York City’s boroughs -- went to work Sunday to mark the occasion.
“With 19.4 million residents, New York is the sixth and most populous U.S. state to legalize gay marriage... Officials were prepared to marry today all 823 couples -- gay and straight -- who entered a lottery last week. The victory for gay-rights advocates ... more than doubled the number of Americans free to marry either gender to 35 million.”
But not everybody is celebrating.
Same-sex marriage opponents continued protesting the law even as it went in to effect.
And one gay rights activist tells The New York Times -- it’s a step in the right direction, but federal-level recognition would be a real reason to celebrate.
“These marriages, in whichever state, are what I call feel-good marriages. Compared to the benefits heterosexual marriages convey, gay marriages are an embarrassment — that we should accept so little, and with so much hoopla of excitement and self-congratulation.”
Finally, a writer for AmericaBlog says -- whatever protests or criticisms people have -- LGBT rights activists should enjoy the morale boost.
“You had better believe it has invigorated our side and we will not take this victory for granted! This morning in LGBT history has dawned at 12:01 am and will be a glorious day in the history of LGBT rights in this country.”
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Transcript by Newsy.
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