The attached song is “Do Ya Love” by Michael Franti and Spearhead.
One of my most cherished memories of my time at NYPIRG is from the Summer of 2007 when the NYS Assembly first passed marriage equality. There was cheering and celebration in the Legislative Office Building. From the floor, Matt Titone, Staten Island’s first openly gay representative, called the man he loves and asked him to marry him.
Every year I’ve been a teacher, I have worked hard to teach tolerance to my students. This year, the school I was working at participated in a day of silence for the LGBT community. I taught five full classes, in total silence, about the Stonewall Riots and the need for marriage equality. I have never been more proud of my job than on that day.
Today, as I awake for the first time in a state that grants marriage equality to all, I am moved to tears.
Tears, firstly, of joy as I know that many friends and family members no longer have to live with the inequity of their relationships. I’m also overwhelmed by the new hope I have for the future of so many of the conflicted teens I’ve taught. This vote is proof that IT GETS BETTER, and that struggle and tenacity pays off.
I also cry tears of deep sadness for all those whose lives were ended as a result of ignorant homophobia.
The work, however, is far from finished. Many will violently oppose this law, and we still do not live in a country that recognizes marriage equality.
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New York State today,...this move will make waves through
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