VTMBH Article: Body
Homosexuals in the Big Apple will soon see one of their biggest aspirations come to fruition: the announcements of weddings between gays and lesbians in the mainstream press.
Yesterday, the New York Times newspaper revealed that as of September, it will publish announcements of weddings and ceremonies between couples of the same sex in its regular Sunday Styles section.
We acknowledge that the newsworthiness of a growing and visible trend in society toward public celebrations of commitment by gay and lesbian couplescelebrations important to many of our readers, their families and their friends, said Howell Raines, executive editor of the Times.
We recognize that society seems divided as to the legal and religious meaning of matrimony and therefore our news columnists will remain impartial in this debate, Raines said.
Reacting, residents and visitors of the Big Apple, all affected by the measure, prepared a statement on the Times controversial announcement.
Its a big step forward for us and I hope that many newspapers in different states do the same thing, said Ali Baz in passing, a Hispanic lawyer for the city who is single.
Baz has participated in homosexual wedding ceremonies and the celebrations are very intimate, touching, equally if not more genuine than the heterosexual weddings, the attorney said.
The discussion about the right of the homosexuals in New York acquired new nuances after September 11th.
Members, of same sex couples who lost partners during the attacks, filed suit against the state and city because they did not receive the same treatment and compensation as the familial survivors of heterosexual marriages.
The announcements are merely recognition of whats really going on, but not everyone knows it, declared Reinaldo (Rey) Gil, who lives in Washington Heights.
Gil and his partner celebrated their nuptials four years ago because we wanted to profess our union before the most supportive people, said Gil, a 35-year-old Met Life accountant who grew up in Miami.
Personally I got married because I longed for elements that all marriages, including that of my parents, who have been married 42 years, share: recognition, respect and security. We are human beings even though some people dont think so, said William Alvarez, a musical theater actor and pastry shop chef.
Gila and Alvarez live together, are godparents of a beautiful boy, share medical insurance, and they plan to buy a house and adopt a child, they said.
For Pedro Rius, a boricua law student, the Times decision is perfectly legal even though same sex marriages may not be recognized by New York State.
Its obvious that the measure is looking to appease the homosexual community in this city. I imagine that now many heterosexual marriages will not be announced in the style section of the Times, said Rius.
Even though their wedding, and the announcement, is over, Gil hopes to appear in the Times announcements anyway. There is still time for our silver and golden anniversaries, Gil concluded.
Yesterday, the New York Times newspaper revealed that as of September, it will publish announcements of weddings and ceremonies between couples of the same sex in its regular Sunday Styles section.
We acknowledge that the newsworthiness of a growing and visible trend in society toward public celebrations of commitment by gay and lesbian couplescelebrations important to many of our readers, their families and their friends, said Howell Raines, executive editor of the Times.
We recognize that society seems divided as to the legal and religious meaning of matrimony and therefore our news columnists will remain impartial in this debate, Raines said.
Reacting, residents and visitors of the Big Apple, all affected by the measure, prepared a statement on the Times controversial announcement.
Its a big step forward for us and I hope that many newspapers in different states do the same thing, said Ali Baz in passing, a Hispanic lawyer for the city who is single.
Baz has participated in homosexual wedding ceremonies and the celebrations are very intimate, touching, equally if not more genuine than the heterosexual weddings, the attorney said.
The discussion about the right of the homosexuals in New York acquired new nuances after September 11th.
Members, of same sex couples who lost partners during the attacks, filed suit against the state and city because they did not receive the same treatment and compensation as the familial survivors of heterosexual marriages.
The announcements are merely recognition of whats really going on, but not everyone knows it, declared Reinaldo (Rey) Gil, who lives in Washington Heights.
Gil and his partner celebrated their nuptials four years ago because we wanted to profess our union before the most supportive people, said Gil, a 35-year-old Met Life accountant who grew up in Miami.
Personally I got married because I longed for elements that all marriages, including that of my parents, who have been married 42 years, share: recognition, respect and security. We are human beings even though some people dont think so, said William Alvarez, a musical theater actor and pastry shop chef.
Gila and Alvarez live together, are godparents of a beautiful boy, share medical insurance, and they plan to buy a house and adopt a child, they said.
For Pedro Rius, a boricua law student, the Times decision is perfectly legal even though same sex marriages may not be recognized by New York State.
Its obvious that the measure is looking to appease the homosexual community in this city. I imagine that now many heterosexual marriages will not be announced in the style section of the Times, said Rius.
Even though their wedding, and the announcement, is over, Gil hopes to appear in the Times announcements anyway. There is still time for our silver and golden anniversaries, Gil concluded.