Fifteen-years-ago on June 24, 2011, Assemblymember Harry B. Bronson stood with then-Governor Andrew Cuomo as he signed the Marriage Equality Act into law, legally giving same-sex couples the right to marry in NYS. As the only out LGBTQ+ state legislator elected outside of the NYC area, Assemblymember Bronson is a fierce advocate for the rights of his community, and the Marriage Equality Act was one of the most transformational pieces of legislation he has worked on after being elected to the Assembly.

Today at a press conference hosted at Rainbow Seniors ROC, Assemblymember Bronson gathered with LGBTQ+ advocates and local leaders to share the continuing significance of this landmark legislation in securing the rights, recognition and visibility of LGBTQ+ couples. As LGBTQ+ rights are increasingly under attack nationwide and by the federal government, the right to legally marry has ever-more relevance and importance today.

With the right to marry, LGBTQ+ couples not only gained legal recognition for their loving commitment, but legal rights to make healthcare decisions for their spouses, inherit marital property, share benefits such as health insurance and social security, and more. It was a hard won fight with the legislation being passed many times by the State Assembly, and then ultimately by the Senate, and then finally being signed into law. New York was the 6th state to legalize same-sex marriage and the most populous state to do so, which lead to the Supreme Court finding marriage equality to be a constitutional right under the Obergefell v. Hodges decision.

“15 years ago, we passed the Marriage Equality Act which continues to be among the most transformative, impactful, and significant wins for my community, LGBTQ+ New Yorkers, giving us the right to legally marry who we love. Marriage is one of humanity’s oldest institutions — a public declaration that two people have chosen to build a life together. At its core, marriage is about commitment. The decision to show up for another person not just in moments of joy, but through hardship, change, and the ordinary demands of daily life. It’s about being there for another whom you love no matter what. It’s about the benefits of legal marriage and the responsibility of legal marriage,” said Assemblymember Harry Bronson. “I have one of the original pens then-Governor Cuomo used to sign the Marriage Equality Act into law, and countless LGBTQ+ couples have now used this same pen to sign their own marriage licenses – some marriages which I have officiated. Marriage Equality is more than a law. It's about the dignity, equity and opportunity to live and love openly as your authentic self, and the many rights, protections and responsibilities enshrined in legal marriage. As LGBTQ+ rights are increasingly under attack at the federal level and nationwide, it is more important than ever that in New York, we continue to stand as strong champions for human rights and remember: love always wins."

Although same-sex marriage is now legal in all 50 states, with an increasingly right-wing and politicized Supreme Court focused on limiting American’s freedoms, there is no guarantee these protections will remain in place. Justice Clarence Thomas stated in his opinion for the 2022 Dobbs v. Jackson ruling which ended reproductive rights, that Obergefell v. Hodges, the case that legalized same-sex marriage, could be the next precedent the court decides to review. If federal law no longer universally protects marriage equality, it would, once again, be up to individual states.

Assemblymember Bronson was joined by Anne Tischer and Bess Watts, who were tireless champions for the Marriage Equality Act, including staging a 2004 wedding in Washington Square Park as an act of civil disobedience after being the first same-sex couple in Rochester to request (and be denied) a marriage license. They continue to be proud of what their determination has meant for other LGBTQ+ couples going forward. As LGBTQ+ rights are under attack across the nation, the Marriage Equality Act affirms that in NYS, same-sex marriages are valued and legal.

Also speaking out on behalf of the importance of this legislation was Jason Barnecut-Kearns, CEO of Trillium Health, Andrew Moran, Board Chair of Roc Rainbow Union and others.

“The road to achieve marriage equality was long and difficult. Those of us who today enjoy the security and richness of marriage, are unwilling to give back even an inch of marriage protections, rights and benefits. We will protect our families,” said Anne Tischer & Bess Watts - Marriage Equality Activists, together 34 years, married in Canada 20 years ago.

“From our statewide work as Marriage Ambassadors to Jo serving as the Rochester Chapter Leader of Marriage Equality NY, we had the opportunity to witness a historic coming together of people from across diverse communities working tirelessly towards a common goal,” said Jo and Christine Meleca-Voigt. “Our relationship evolved along with it and has been defined by the unprecedented movement to grant and recognize our marriage. In the years since, we have been grateful to personally benefit from a breadth of life-changing rights that we would have been denied if not for the bravery of so many for the passage of marriage equality.”

“Marriage equality is about dignity, fairness, and the fundamental right to love and be recognized,” said Jason Barnecut-Kearns, President and CEO of Trillium Health. “Beyond its legal significance, it has real impacts on health and wellbeing—helping people access care, support one another, and live with greater stability. At Trillium Health, we see every day how compassionate care strengthens individuals, families, and communities. Protecting marriage equality is essential to advancing both health equity and human dignity.”

“I remember where I was when the Marriage Equality Act was passed; I sat at Equal Grounds eagerly awaiting the news with fellow LGBTQ+ college students. We broke out in tears and cries of happiness,” said Andrew Moran, Board Chair of Roc Rainbow Union. “We’ve made strides in legislation passing rights to protect the LGBTQ+ community, but we must defend those rights and continue fighting. We need to ensure the protection of our Trans and BIPOC siblings. We need to ensure that people with disabilities can enjoy marriage without losing their benefits. In the words of Fanny Lou Hammer, ‘Nobody’s free until everybody’s free!’”

"Fifteen years ago, the Marriage Equality Act codified the right of all New Yorkers to marry the person they love. In Brighton, we celebrate our community diversity and fifteen years ago, I celebrated with my LGBTQ+ neighbors who finally had a basic right that many of us had long taken for granted,” said Bill Moehle, Brighton Town Supervisor. “Thank you, Assemblymember Harry Bronson, for your dedicated work that turned what once seemed like an impossible dream into reality."

“My partner and I did everything legal after we moved in together – wills, health care proxy, living wills. I worked for the University of Rochester and was able to add him to my medical insurance. When states started allowing same-sex marriage we got married in Connecticut in 2010. We felt we still needed the legal paperwork, but we wanted to have the same rights as I had when I had been married to my wife,” said Charlie Lytle, Board Chair – Rainbow Seniors ROC. “Things you don’t think about are survivors' benefits. My husband was HIV+ and medical care was a part of our lives. As his health got worse, he had to quit work and go on disability. I retired at 62 to help care for him. My social security was ok but not great. When my husband passed, I was able to apply for his benefits. I found out we had to be married at least one year. Luckily, we had been married almost 10 at the time of his passing. I was able to collect his social security which increased the amount I received by over $800 dollars a month and I received it retroactively to the day of his death. Had we not been married that would never have happened.”

“New York’s Marriage Equality Act was a milestone achievement secured by the tireless efforts of elected leaders like Assemblymember Bronson and everyday LGBTQ+ New Yorkers who wanted the freedom to build their lives and families,” said Austin Ponce, community member. “It is because of their work and sacrifices, that me and my partner can lead our lives with dignity and security in Rochester. As we commemorate 15 years of marriage equality this Pride Month, we take a moment to celebrate our progress - and acknowledge that work remains to protect this progress – and to champion the needs of our trans and nonbinary community members in the face of a hostile federal government.”