I was very pleased that the Marriage Equality Act passed in New York State on June 24, 2011 and proud that my letters to newspapers and state senators supporting gay marriage were part of the actions of many others to achieve this civil rights victory. Still, it was not a complete victory, and I expressed that in a letter published in Metro on June 28, 2011:

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The passage of the Marriage Equality Act in New York State is a significant civil rights triumph and merits jubilation and gratitude. However, true victory can only be claimed when the federal Defense of Marriage Act is eliminated and marriage equality is passed in every state. But thanks to the growing chorus of voices supporting the rights of gay Americans, it may not be long until we celebrate as a nation our commitment to equality.