Issues: Human Rights

Fifty-four Assembly members and senators have signed on to a letter circulated by the Bipartisan Pro Choice Legislative Caucus urging the Obama administration to interpret the health care reform law such that state-level health care exchanges include all family planning essential community providers in their networks.

The letter to Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius and Donald Berwick, administrator of the federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, notes wait times increased most significantly – up to 70 days in the Boston area – for women’s health care providers when Massachusetts implemented its version of health care reform. The lawmakers don’t want to see that replicated here in New York.

Queens Chronicle quoted Senator Gianaris on the historic passage of the Marriage Equality Act.

It is said that marriage marks the beginning of the rest of your life, and for gay and lesbian New Yorkers, Friday night was nothing less than a fresh start.

“We are now being treated as fully equal citizens,” said gay Councilman Danny Dromm (D-Jackson Heights), touting the passage of state legislation legalizing same-sex marriage. “Having the option just makes us more whole as human beings, whether we choose to get married or not.”

In bars and in clubs, in homes and on the steps of City Hall, New Yorkers from all walks of life celebrated.

By David King

June 22nd, 2011

Senate Democrats have a hot new Twitter hash tag: “#letusVote” to prod Senate Republicans to bring same-sex marriage legislation to the floor for a vote. Sen. Liz Krueger is credited with creating the tag and she has been trying to get prominent same-sex marriage proponents to use it. “@ladygaga #NYSenate needs your help!” Krueger tweeted. “Can you & ur Little Monsters pls help us trend #letusVOTE We want to vote for #samesexmarriage in NY” Lady Gaga has yet to pick up the tag says,” Krueger spokeswoman Katie Kincaid,” but we’re working on it