Thanks for your interest in our Same-Sex Marriage Symposiums which were held April 21st and April 29th!!
Like no other time in the Gay Rights Movement, LGBT organizations are banding together to fight for equality under the law. The right to marry would bring gays and lesbians over 1,000 federal rights and hundreds of states rights, that are currently being denied to members of the community. On May 17, 2004, Massachusetts became the first state to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples. Have you wondered how this important debate in our nation's history affects you? Or maybe you want to know more about what's at stake so you can make your own decision about the issue...
This page gives you access to some important information ...
Information about the panelists
During the past year, both US Supreme Court and state court cases, as well as the presidential debates have brought issues of LGBT inequality and discrimination into the spotlight at the national level. Most recently, the endorsement of a Federal Marriage Amendment by President Bush, mayors officiating marriage ceremonies in several cities, AND the issuing of legal marriage licenses in Massachusetts, ensure that the same-sex marriage debate will continue for quite a while.
As the LGBT Social Work Caucus of the School of Social Welfare, we believe that education is the best way for people to better understand the discrimination and inequality faced by the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community. The LGBT Social Work Caucus is a campus student organization taking steps to advocate for the LGBT community, and educate our campus and the community on LGBT issues.
In April, we hosted two events on campus that helped to shed light on this issue. The Same-Sex Marriage Symposiums were greatly successful, thanks in GREAT part to the experience of the distinguished panelists who debated on the issue of same-sex marriage. A videotape copy has been recorded of the April 29th event and will be made available to School of Social Welfare students and faculty for viewing in the school, as an optional addition to class curricula, and possibly on reserve at the Health Sciences Center Library (still to be confirmed).
PANELISTS
Panelists debating same-sex marriage at these two events were:
SUPPORTERS of same-sex marriage
Anthony M. Brown Esq., Attorney and Director of the Wedding Party
Tim Cravens, Political Director, Marriage Equality NY
Pastor G. Shane Hibbs, Long Island Community Fellowship
Mike Hinz, President, PFLAG Long Island (or see the PFLAG National site)
Maria Mezzatesta, R-CSW, Co-host, LI Rainbow Connection
OPPOSED to same-sex marriage
Reverend Bill Banuchi, Executive Director, NY State Christian Coalition
Reverend Corey MacPherson, North Shore Church
Frank Russo, State Director, American Family Association of New York, and Executive Committee of the Nassau Conservative Party
Roseanne Vanessendelft,
Concerned Parent and member Middle Island Baptist Church
... Check out the links above for more detailed information about each organization.