NY Clergy Join Business Leaders in Gay Marriage Push

Faith leaders from across New York will join in a press conference in Albany on May 3 to support marriage equality in the state

Faith leaders from all corners of New York State are scheduled to declare their support of legalizing same-sex marriage in the state. A press conference, announced by the Empire State Pride Agenda, will take placed in Albany May 3. Twelve clergy members will represent more than 700 colleagues in backing the passage of marriage equality legislation this year.

The religious leaders join a powerful segment of the financial community, who sent a letter to Gov. Andrew Cuomo last Friday indicating that marriage equality is good business. The CEOs or chairpersons of Goldman Sachs, Con Edison, Thompson Reuters, Bloomberg L.P., Morgan Stanley and J.P. Morgan’s Investment Bank, plus 23 other moguls, were among the signees.

“As New Yorkers and business leaders, we believe that attracting talent is key to our state’s economic future,” the letter read, according to CNN.com. “We strongly urge New York State to enact marriage equality legislation to help maintain our competitive advantage in attracting the best and brightest people the world has to offer.”

Cuomo recently encouraged several gay advocacy groups—including Pride Agenda, Marriage Equality New York, Human Rights Campaign and others—to consolidate forces and pass a marriage equality bill before the current legislative session ends this summer. The governor has indicated that legalizing same-sex marriage is a priority this year.


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