Westchester & Hudson Valley
Bishop Francisco J. Betancourt, FCR, Holy Innocents Church
Margaretville, NY
"Where love is present, God is present. As a Bishop in the Catholic Apostolic Church in North America, I support the Marriage Equality Act. Individuals who are in a committed relationship should be given the same privilege as others to have the love for one another recognized by our governments. There is no room in either government or religions for discrimination."
Assemblymember Richard Brodsky
Representing part of Westchester County
"I believe that that New York will be a better, stronger place when all loving, committed couples - including same-sex couples - have access to legal marriage."
The Reverend David M. Bryce: Minister, First Unitarian Society of Westchester
Hastings-On-Hudson, NY
"Our nation, like every other nation, was founded with imperfections built in. Over the centuries we have had to work hard to overcome cultural, ideological and religious failings and misunderstandings in order to bring greater freedom and equality to all of our people. I am proud to lend my voice to this, the next phase of the struggle for universal rights and equality."
Rabbi/Cantor Angela Warnick Buchdahl: Westchester Reform Temple
Scarsdale, NY
"Same-sex marriage is one of the critical civil rights issues of our time, and it carries supreme moral and religious significance. I recognize the holiness of unions between same-sex partners who commit themselves to each other. As a person of faith, I want to encourage same-sex unions to sanctify their relationships and be recognized by their religious communities and by God. I pray that validation by our state and country will not be far behind."
Rabbi Douglas E. Krantz: Congregation B'nai Yisrael
Armonk, NY
"I believe that marriage is defined not by gender, but by the relationship that is based on mutuality and nurturing and secured in love."
Jeanne E. Mettler, Attorney
Bedford Hills, NY
"A civil marriage is a civil right. Marriage carries with it not only countless tangible rights, but also dignity, esteem and acceptance. To deny these rights to same sex couples renders them second class citizens and demeans the history of civil rights in this State."
Senator Suzi Oppenheimer:
New York State Senate, 37th District
Representing part of Westchester County
"If we believe, as did our founding fathers, that all people should be treated equally under the law, then we must support marriage for same sex couples. For a more caring society, we need more committed, loving couples, heterosexual or homosexual!"
Mayor John Shields:
Village of Nyack
"After I was elected I realized that I would marry people but could not marry a person of my choice. The Pledge of Allegiance ends ‘…with liberty and justice for all.’ Perhaps in light of what’s happening in the United States today it should end ‘…with liberty and justice for some."
Rabbi William Strongin: Jewish Congregation of New Paltz
New Paltz, NY
"When two people choose one another to love, to support and in general to form an alliance together in order to deal with the vast array of powers that buffet our lives, that union is holy before God, and to be greatly esteemed by human society. Whether that couple consists of two persons of opposite sex or of the same sex, the union's holiness is the same. A household based upon stability, respect and affection is a haven for children, and these factors are certainly not generated by the mere genders of the parents. I am in favor of full marital rights for same sex couples."
Nathan C. Walker, M.Div., M.A.Consulting Minister
Unitarian Church of Staten Island
"The New York State Constitution states that no member of New York “shall be disfranchised, or deprived of any of the rights or privileges secured to any citizen.” To deny homosexuals the right to marry is not only unconstitutional but betrayal of the principles of liberty and justice for all. My hope is that our state, our country, will come to recognize that love and justice have been married for a very long time."
Fr. John B. Warfel, Rector, Grace Episcopal Church
Middletown, NY
"Marriage equality is a social justice issue. Biblical literalists who claim to know the Mind of God on issues of sexuality are free to believe and preach whatever they choose, just as I am; but none of us is free to deny another citizen basic civil liberties."