By Bill Parry
A Department of Transportation press event on the long-awaited redesign of 21st Street in Astoria was delayed by history Friday morning. City Councilman Jimmy Van Bramer (D-Sunnyside) was on the phone telling his husband, Dan Hendrick, that the U.S. Supreme Court had just ruled 5-4 in favor of same-sex marriage nationwide,
When he was finished, the only openly gay member of the City Council who is married, joined City Councilman Costa Constantinides (D-Astoria) and DOT Commissioner Polly Trottenberg to begin the proceedings. But Trottenberg instead asked Van Bramer to speak of the high court’s landmark decision.
“It’s a big deal for all of us, for every person in this country,” Van Bramer said, fighting back tears. “This is an amazing moment for our nation, for our families. Some of us never thought this would ever happen in our lifetime and it is so amazing to know that not only here in New York City, that the gay and lesbian people are 100 percent fully equal in this country and that our relationships and our marriages are fully equal and fully deserving of every protection.”
City Councilman Daniel Dromm (D-Jackson Heights), another openly gay man on the City Council, called the decision that will make same-sex marriage legal in all 50 states the culmination of a struggle that began four decades ago.
“This is a resounding victory for our country as it moves one step closer to realizing its founding principle of equality.” he said. “Marriage is finally equal. No longer will there be gay marriage or heterosexual marriage – just marriage. As someone who has been in the gay rights movement for over 40 years, it is difficult to express my sentiments. I never thought I would live to see this day. God bless America.”
Dromm will join LGBTQ activists to celebrate the high court’s decision Saturday at 10 a.m. in front of the Jackson Heights Post Office at 78-02 37th Ave.
Meanwhile, rainbow flags hung from City Hall where Bill de Blasio officiated at two same-sex weddings on the steps. The celebration then moved to the Stonewall Inn, the Greenwich Village bar where a police raid sparked the modern gay rights movement.
“America will never forget this day, and neither will people all across the world who know the meaning of love and compassion,” de Blasio said. “June 26, 2015, will forever be memorialized as a pivotal moment of the history of our nation – the day the Supreme Court affirmed our core values of love, equality, and justice, rejected ignorance and malice, and appealed to the humanity in us all.”
Back in Queens, the reaction on the street was mostly positive. However, there was disagreement between a mother and daughter on Bell Boulevard in Bayside.
“I think it’s disgusting,” Olga said. “They should live separate.” Her daughter Vicky DelRossi countered, saying, “There’s a separation between church and state and anyone against it, it’s because of religious purposes.”
Fresh Meadows resident Howard Rothman said, “I feel if you love somebody, it shouldn’t make a difference. That’s what life’s all about – having a companion.”
Several members of Congress from Queens chimed in. U.S. Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-Astoria) called it “another milestone in the great march toward our nation’s promise of equality for all.”
She added, “Today we are a better country. Love has prevailed.”
U.S. Rep. Joseph Crowley (D-Jackson Heights) called the decision a watershed moment. “As we celebrate this momentous victory for our gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender brothers and sisters, let us also remember those we lost along the way,” Crowley said. “Those who came before us as activists, advocates, and allies who, when faced with bigotry and violence, did not shrink, but rather stood for the belief that discrimination based on a sexual orientation has absolutely no place in the laws and policies of our country.”
Later in the day, Van Bramer and his husband Dan Hendrick released a statement that said, “We have been moved to tears this morning, knowing the pain and stigma of being unequal is lifted. Of knowing that our relationship and our love is recognized by our country and is just as valid, beautiful and equal as any other.”
Intern Shanna Fuld contributed to this story.
Reach reporter Bill Parry by e-mail at bparr
