Updated: Additional coverage here.
New York Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo — who just 30 days ago signed the state’s Marriage Equality Act into law — on Sunday morning, issued an Executive Proclamation, declaring July 24, 2011 as a “Day to Commemorate Marriage Equality” in the Empire State.
Day to Commemorate Marriage Equality
WHEREAS, the Empire State’s greatest strength lies in its rich diversity, and New Yorkers take pride in celebrating and respecting the people of all ethnicities, races, religions, and sexual orientations who contribute to the social, civil, and political fabric of our State; and
WHEREAS, New Yorkers cherish our State’s proud legacy as a defender of and champion for fairness and equality for all; and
WHEREAS, Friday, June 24, 2011 marked a momentous day in the history of our great State, with the passage of the Marriage Equality Act, granting same-sex couples the freedom to marry under the law, and the hundreds of accompanying rights, benefits, and protections that have previously been limited to married couples of the opposite sex; and
WHEREAS, the State of New York respects and supports the bonds of love, trust, and commitment that exist between two people in a committed relationship, and therefore recognizes that the right to marriage under the law must be respected and protected equally for all New Yorkers; and
WHEREAS, in recognizing the right of all couples to marry under the law, the Marriage Equality Act also reinforces our State’s fundamental commitment to religious freedom by ensuring respect for religious traditions and institutions that may define marriage differently; and
WHEREAS, today, the effective date of the Marriage Equality Act, is a profoundly important day for the countless New Yorkers who will heretofore have the right to enter into the bonds of marriage in their home state, and a proud demonstration of our State’s commitment to ensuring complete equality for all of our citizens;
NOW, THEREFORE I, Andrew M. Cuomo, Governor of the State of New York, do hereby proclaim July 24, 2011 as a
DAY TO COMMEMORATE MARRIAGE EQUALITY
in the Empire State.G I V E N under my hand and the Privy Seal of the State in the City of Albany this twenty-fourth day of July year two thousand eleven.
BY THE GOVERNOR
