Lobbying Leaders for Marriage Equality

On May 9, members of the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship at Stony Brook (UUFSB) will pile onto a chartered bus and drive to Albany for a day of lobbying and activism in support of marriage equality and civil rights for transgendered people.  This trip is being coordinated with the Empire State Pride Agenda, a statewide organization, in connection with Equality and Justice Day.  Empire State Pride Agenda’s website describes the purpose of this effort:

Equality & Justice Day is the Pride Agenda’s annual advocacy day bringing the statewide movement together in Albany, and includes a rally, workshops, caucuses and an opportunity to speak directly with your legislator about the issues that matter to LGBT New Yorkers and our allies. It is also the largest statewide gathering of LGBT and allied New Yorkers and a unique opportunity to strengthen our ties and build the coalitions we need to win.

Bills to provide marriage equality for lesbian, gay, bi-sexual and transgendered people (LGBT) have repeatedly passed the state Assembly and been defeated in the Senate.  UUFSB and the Empire State Pride Agenda believe this year there is a very real possibility of passage in the Senate if enough citizens express their support.

UUFSB is opening up its chartered bus to members of the wider community who wish to join in support of passing a marriage equality bill and a bill that adds transgendered people to existing civil rights laws.  There will be a $30 fee per person for a seat on the bus.  In addition, participants must register at the Empire State Pride Agenda website:  www.prideagenda.org.  There is a $25 Pride Agenda registration fee, which includes a bagel breakfast and box lunch, in addition to participation in workshops.  The bus will leave from UUFSB at 5 a.m. and is expected to return at approximately 9 p.m.  Interested citizens should call 631-476-6120 for more information and to make a reservation.

The Unitarian Universalist Fellowship at Stony Brook is a congregation of about 230 members that is part of the Unitarian Universalist Association.  Services are held on Sunday mornings at 10:30 at 380 Nicolls Road, East Setauket, with a coffee hour that follows.  Religious education classes begin at 10:30 and end at 11:30.  Infant and child care is available during the worship service.  For further information, call 631-751-0297, or email office@uufsb.org.  The Fellowship can also be found online at www.uufsb.org