Bloomberg/Lesbian Niece Speaks Up For Gay Marriage
Mayor Bloomberg and his niece Rachel at Cooper Union (NYC Mayor's Office)
Mayor Bloomberg made the case for New York State passing gay marriage by making the point that the majority of Americans (and New Yorkers) support it, "The question for every New York state lawmaker is: Do you want to be remembered as a leader on civil rights? Or an obstructionist? On matters of freedom and equality, history has not remembered obstructionists kindly." And he brought up his close, personal connection—his niece Rachel Tiven, who is a lesbian.
"There’s a reason I’m so passionate about this issue - and so determined to push for change. I see the pain the status quo causes - and I cannot defend it. When I meet a New Yorker who is gay, when I speak with friends and members of my staff who are gay, or when I look into the eyes of my niece, Rachel, I cannot tell them that their government is correct in denying them the right to marry. I cannot tell them that marriage is not for them. I cannot tell them that a civil union is good enough."
You can read the speech in full here; Bloomberg also said, “So the question really is: So, why now? Because this is our time to stand up for equality. This is our time to conquer the next frontier of freedom. This is our time to be as bold and brave as the pioneers who came before us. And this is our time to lead the American journey forward... In our city, there is no shame in being true to yourself. There is only pride. We take you as you are - and we let you be who you wish to be. That is the essence of New York City."
Bloomberg has poured money into gay marriage-supporting causes (though some advocates claim he's not doing enough). The stumbling block in New York is getting a bill passed in the notoriously difficult State Senate, which the Republicans control and which also has some very anti-gay marriage Democrats.
According to the Daily Politics, Tiven is "the eldest daughter of Bloomberg’s sister Marjorie, introduced her uncle before the address. According to a Bloomberg aide, she has three children with a female partner. Tiven is the executive director of Immigration Equality, an advocacy organization that fights for equal immigration rights for gays and lesbians"
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