Marriage Equality Act

I stood in downtown Mt Kisco and asked people randomly what their thoughts were about the passing of The Marriage Equality Act. As expected the answers ran the gamut from being for it to being against it, didn’t care either way, to not knowing what the heck I was talking about. I wasn’t really surprised with the variety of answers because I know that Kisco is a very diverse community.

I was surprised when I interviewed over 10 gay couples. I expected them to be overjoyed with the news instead I would describe their reaction as lack luster. It wasn’t that they were un-happy they just weren’t that thrilled. “Don’t get me wrong” said Terry I’m happy that it passed. It is a step in the right direction, but I won’t be fully satisfied until it passes on the Federal level”. I have to agree with Terry for me it still means that I am not entitled to my partner’s pension; we have to continue to file separate tax returns and have to provide legal protection for one another regarding inheritance. I am happy that we have more rights and the state will now recognize us but it’s not complete. There is more work that needs to be done.

I wanted to see if any local merchants were planning on marketing to gay couples. Most said they didn’t plan on it or they weren’t quite sure on how to go about it. Craig Pellis from Silver Spoon catering said he had already gotten some inquires but he wasn’t going to do anything “special to target that population”. He felt that he has been in the business for 25yrs. and his reputation and word of mouth would be enough.
I spoke with Samantha Martens who is a local Wedding Photographer. She was unsure how she was going to market herself to the local gay community but said she definitely wanted to because she felt  that there was “very little same sex wedding photography that compares to the quality of images she sees from heterosexual unions, which she felt was “extremely unfortunate”. Martens said that she “believed every wedding deserves beautiful images captured by a professional photographer” and she hoped to be able to bring that to the gay community of Mount Kisco and surrounding areas. I couldn’t agree more!

 So if you’re planning to get married here are some resources to help make the day special:
The Loft is hosting a Legal Clinic on same-sex marriage on July 20th at 7pm at their center (252 Bryant Ave White Plains NY).
They are also hosting a Wedding Expo on Friday August 26th 5pm to 9pm at the Radisson Hotel in New Rochelle If you need more info check them out on the web www.loftgaycenter.org
New York Civil Liberties Union has a list of questions and answers you can find at their website www.nyclu.org/marriageFAQ
Samantha Martin Photography – Weddings as well as engagement portraits. sdmartens@gmail.com www.samanthamartensphotography.com
Silver Spoon Catering Craig Pellis 914-241 0955
www.silverspooncateringny.com