Episode One

I thought that a good way to help support the passing of the Marriage Equality Bill in New York State would be to write to the State Senators who opposed or were undecided on the measure. I could present my reasoned argument in favor of marriage equality and ask for a response.

I found a site online called The Albany Project, which broke down the senators' positions on the bill by yeses, noes, and question marks. The research going into this information seemed thorough and sincere, so I took that as my base - 39 senators who were not supporting marriage equality.

I wrote this letter and sent it via email and U.S. mail to each senator.

Dear Senator,

I am writing to encourage you to vote in favor of the Marriage Equality Bill. The issue of marriage equality is one of civil rights, and this bill is an opportunity for New York State to remind the nation that all citizens must be treated without bias under the law. As a senator of this great state, your responsibility is not only to represent the interests of your constituents but also to ensure that the rule of law is fair and equitable. Gay New Yorkers pay taxes and contribute to the state economy as do other law-abiding citizens, and their right to express love and commitment through the institution of marriage should not be abridged.

It can be difficult to take a supportive stand for marriage equality when many New Yorkers still oppose the concept of same-sex marriage. But just as in times past when the rights of women and people of color were denied and debated, the country was able to recognize its inequalities and enact corrective legislation, despite the dissension of those unprepared or unwilling to move forward. As we now know, providing equal rights to those groups was a moral imperative, and we are no less responsible for ensuring that gay Americans are afforded the same privileges.

I am a heterosexual man, married and the father of three. Whether or not the Marriage Equality Bill is passed will not change my immediate family situation. But I cannot truly value my own rights while those of others are breached. Inherent in our democracy is the equal treatment of all citizens. I appeal to your sense of fairness and justice, and I ask that your commitment to democracy guide your vote on this bill.

I would like to know if you are in favor of marriage equality. If you are not, please explain the rationale for your opposition. I appreciate your response to this letter, and I thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,

David Terhune

Here are the names and addresses of the senators I contacted:

George Onorato, onorato@senate.state.ny.us
28-11 Astoria Blvd., Long Island City, NY 11102

Karl Kruger, kruger@senate.state.ny.us
2201 Avenue U, Brooklyn, NY 11229

Ruben Diaz, diaz@senate.state.ny.us
1733 East 172nd Street, Bronx, NY 10472

Darrel J. Aubertine, aubertin@senate.state.ny.us
317 Washington Street, 4th Floor, Watertown, NY 13601

David J. Valesky, valesky@senate.state.ny.us
416 State Capitol Building’ Albany, New York 12247

William T. Stachowski, stachows@senate.state.ny.us
2030 Clinton Street, Buffalo, New York 14206

Kenneth P. LaValle, lavalle@senate.state.ny.us
325 Middle Country Road, Suite 4, Selden, NY 11784

John J. Flanagan, flanagan@senate.state.ny.us
260 Middle Country Road, Suite 203, Smithtown, New York 11787

Owen H. Johnson, ojohnson@senate.state.ny.us
23-24 Argyle Square, Babylon, NY 11702

Carl L. Marcellino, marcelli@senate.state.ny.us
250 Townsend Square, Oyster Bay, NY 11771

Charles J. Fuschillo, Jr., fuschill@senate.state.ny.us
5550 Merrick Road, Suite 205, Massapequa, New York 11758-6238

Dean G. Skelos, skelos@senate.state.ny.us
55 Front Street, Rockville Centre, NY 11570

Frank Padavan, padavan@senate.state.ny.us
89-39 Gettysburg Street, Bellerose, NY, NY 11426

Martin J. Golden, golden@senate.state.ny.us
7408 5th Avenue, 1st Floor, Brooklyn, New York 11209

Andrew J. Lanza, lanza@senate.state.ny.us
3845 Richmond Ave., Suite 2A, Staten Island, NY 10312

William J. Larkin, larkin@senate.state.ny.us
1093 Little Britain Rd., New Windsor, NY 12553

John J. Bonacic, bonacic@senate.state.ny.us
201 Dolson Avenue, Suite F, Middletown, NY 10940

Roy J. McDonald, mcdonald@senate.state.ny.us
Hedley Bldg., Suite 1004, 433 River Street , Troy, NY 12180

Hugh T. Farley, farley@senate.state.ny.us
2430 Riverfront Center, Amsterdam, NY 12010

Betty Little, little@senate.state.ny.us
5 Warren Street, Suite 3, Glens Falls, NY 12801

Joseph A. Griffo, griffo@senate.state.ny.us
207 Genesee Street , Utica, NY 13501

John A. DeFrancisco, jdefranc@senate.state.ny.us
Room 802 Legislative Office Building, Albany, NY 12247

James L.Seward, seward@senate.state.ny.us
41 So. Main Street, Oneonta, NY 13820

Tom W. Libous, senator@senatorlibous.com
1607 State Office Building, 44 Hawley Street , Binghamton, NY 13901

Michael F. Nozzolio, nozzolio@senate.state.ny.us

413 Legislative Office Building, Albany, NY 12247

Catharine Young, cyoung@senate.state.ny.us
Westgate Plaza 700 W. State Street, Olean, New York 14760

Dale M. Volker, volker@senate.state.ny.us
4729 Transit Road, Suite #5, Depew, New York 14043

Michael H. Ranzenhofer, ranz@senate.state.ny.us
8203 Main Street, Suite 4, Williamsville, NY 14221

George D. Maziarz, maziarz@senate.state.ny.us
2578 Niagara Falls Boulevard, Suite 600, Wheatfield, NY 14304

Brian X Foley, bfoley@senate.state.ny.us
State Office Bldg, Suite 2A-1, Veterans' Memorial Highway, Hauppauge, NY 11788

Shirley L. Huntley, shuntley@senate.state.ny.us
161-10 Jamaica Avenue, Suite 504, Jamaica, New York 11432

John L. Sampson, sampson@senate.state.ny.us
9114 Flatlands Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11236

Ruth Hassell-Thompson, hassellt@senate.state.ny.us
959 E. 233rd Street, Bronx, NY 10466

Kemp Hannon, hannon@senate.state.ny.us
224 7th Street, Garden City, NY 11530

Thomas P. Morahan, morahan@senate.state.ny.us
158 Airport Executive Park, Nanuet, New York 10954

Vincent L. Leibell, leibell@senate.state.ny.us
1441 Route 22, Suite 205, Brewster, NY 10509

Stephen M. Saland, saland@senate.state.ny.us
3 Neptune Road, Suite A19B, Poughkeepsie, New York 12601

George Winner, winner@senate.state.ny.us
228 Lake Street , Box 588, Elmira, NY 14902

Joseph E. Robach. robach@senate.state.ny.us
2300 W. Ridge Road, Rochester, NY 14626

(I took the photo above at the Marriage Equality Rally, NYC, May 17, 2009)