For Immediate Release: June 25, 2011

Contact: Michelle Blackley, Communications Director

press@centerforinquiry.org - (207) 358-9785

The Center for Inquiry (CFI) celebrates the New York State Senate’s late night decision to approve a same-sex marriage bill on a 33 to 29 vote; it is a pivotal moment in the national gay rights movement. New York is now the sixth state-and counting the District of Columbia, the seventh jurisdiction-to secure legal marriage status for same-sex couples.

CFI has been a leader in the fight for marriage equality and supports this important legislation that will go into effect in thirty days.

“LGBT individuals are entitled to the same rights as anyone else,” said Ronald A. Lindsay, president and CEO of the Center for Inquiry. “Marriage is an important institution in our society. Denying same-sex couples the right to express their love through marriage is to deny them equal protection under the law as well as a fundamental human right.”

Giving same-sex couples the same rights as heterosexual couples is especially suitable during this Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) Pride Month.

Some senators spoke passionately about their votes.

Freshman Senator Mark Grisanti (R-60th District) was undecided when the bill hit the senate floor late tonight, until he voted in the affirmative. “A man can be wiser today than yesterday, but there can be no respect for that man if he has failed to do his duty,” he said. “I cannot deny a person, a human being, a tax payer, a worker . . . the same rights that I have with my wife,” he said.

The Center for Inquiry is a nonprofit educational, advocacy, and research organization based in Amherst, New York; CFI is home to both the Committee for Skeptical Inquiry and the Council for Secular Humanism. The mission of CFI is to foster a secular society based on science, reason, freedom of inquiry, and humanist values. Our web address is www.centerforinquiry.net.