Gay marriage could be "lucrative" for state

RochesterHomepage.net

Hundreds of gay and lesbian are calling on state leaders to keep moving forward just twelve weeks after a New York appellate court ruled to recognize gay marriages performed outside the state.

Advocates say allowing gay marriages to be performed in the state would not only be important for civil rights, but it could also help the local economy.

Area gay and lesbian couples finally celebrated with each other at a wedding expo at the Rochester Riverside Convention Center. They also advocated for the next step in gay rights in New York State: same-sex marriages performed in the state.

Saturday night they had the support of 60 local businesses.

"We fully believe everyone has equal rights, and we think everyone should be treated fairly,” said Rita Fullerton of Primadonna Bridals in Canandaigua.

“All this says to me is that Monroe County understands the economy is bleeding right now, and instead of sending all these couples to Canada and Massachusetts to spend thousands of dollars, we could have a lucrative situation (in New York),” said Jo Meleca-Voigt.

Jo married her wife, Christine, nearly three years ago. However, they were forced to wed in Canada - an occasion the Meleca-Voigt’s and business leaders say would have been better spent in their home state.

“It would have meant a greater convenience for my family and friends, who I wanted to invite to my wedding and just didn't feel like it or who couldn't make the trek. We had to plan to separate events which was hugely costly,” Christine Meleca-Voigt said.

“There are a lot of businesses who really are open minded to the community and not just what people consider the norm,” Fullerton said. “This is the norm. This is the world the way it is.”

So far, a marriage equality bill has yet to get past the state senate. That’s why the proceeds from the wedding expo are going toward a committee dedicated to supported political candidates who are for gay and lesbian rights.

“It's about knowing we're consenting adults and that we're taxpayers,” Jo said. “We know who we love and who we want to commit the rest of our lives to, and we should be allowed to do that.”

Monroe County is fighting the New York appellate court’s decision to recognize marriages performed out of the state.