Diversity Rules Magazine

July 2011 My Two Cents by Jim Koury, Editor Welcome to the July issue of Diversity Rules Maga- zine. I am sure you will enjoy the cover feature in- terview with Dorian Black, and the many other articles of interest contained with- in. What a momentous occasion. My thanks go to the many organizations and individuals that worked diligently to guide the bill through the New York State Legislature. It sure was an exciting June with the passage of the marriage equality bill. Despite this major success toward full equal- ity, we have a long way to go yet. While we now have marriage equality in New York and 5 other states, and others offering civil unions, there are those that are still being denied the right to marry and are being persecuted as well for no other reason than being LGBTQ. I am thrilled to be able to be part of this move- ment that has produced full equality for the state’s LGBTQ persons. Loving couples, some together for decades, now can soon sol- emnize their love for each other legally. I am proud that my home state has taken the bold step in removing second class status from its LGBTQ citizens. There is no greater feeling than to know our government respects us and considers us as equals. As City Clerk of the City of Oneonta, I am looking forward to being able to process and sign marriage license applications submitted to my office by loving gay couples beginning on July 25th, since the 24th is a Sunday, the day which same sex marriage licenses may begin to be issued. I am honored that I will be part of their legal beginning as a married couple in New York. Diversity Rules Magazine PO Box 72 James R. Koury, Editor/Founder 607.432.1179 Website: www.diversityrulesmagazine.com Blog: www.diversityrulesmagazine.blogspot.com E-Mail: info@diversityrulesmagazine.com Copyright 2011 Diversity Rules Magazine Two Oneonta, NY 13820 Our federal government still refuses to recog- nize this nation’s LGBTQ population as equals due to its refusal to repeal the Defense of Mar- riage Act (DOMA). While couples married in New York will have access to the same rights, privileges and benefits that straight married couples enjoy in New York, they still will be denied the many federal benefits accorded to straight couples due to DOMA. This is a travesty and must be rectified with DOMA’s repeal, which for now is highly unlikely given the toxic GOP control of the chamber or ulti- mate declaration of the law as unconstitutional by the Supreme Court. But for now, we can relish a sweet victory here in New York State. The passage of the mar- riage equality bill certainly provides the im- petus and the motivation to move ahead and not rest until LGBTQ citizens throughout this great nation have achieved full equality on all fronts. Need a speaker for your event! Contact Jim Koury at: editor@diversityrulesmagazine.com Featured in this issue: Cover Story: Dorian Black Terry Ludwig: Keep Up Now The Works of Albert Crudo The Poet’s Corner “Trying to Leave Now” Aiden Leslie Richard Wiesenthal: Picture This Lee Lynch: Me and Mr. Astaire David Martin: Inertia Eric Goodman: Tracks You Should Meet My Son Diversity Rules Online Advertising Options

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