The O-town Scene - Oneonta, NY
Issue link: https://www.ifoldsflip.com/i/37616
DIVERSITY RULES by Jim Koury July 24 historic day for New York state Sunday, July 24, was the day history changed in New York state. It is the day that the Marriage Equality Act took effect. Same-sex couples state- wide applied for their marriage licenses, and many got married the same day. Oneonta was no different. My office was open from to process marriage license applications. It was an exciting day, as we all watched three same sex couples come forward and file their marriage applications, as well as one straight couple. What made the day even more special was the issuance of two waivers to the requisite 24-hour waiting period by the Otsego County Judge John Lambert. At approximately noon, I got word that the judge had signed the orders waiving the waiting period. Cheers and tears erupted in the lobby. It was a I got word that the judge had signed the order waivering the waiting period. Cheers and tears erupted in the lobby. It was a phenomenal feeling. phenomenal feeling. One couple, Cathryn James and Patricia Knuth, together for 31 years, 2 months and 10 days, finally were able to legally marry and finalize the relationship they had together for so many years. It was a happy occasion. It will be a memory I shall not forget for a long time to come, if ever. Later that afternoon, a marriage equality party, sponsored by Diversity Rules Magazine, was held at the Oneonta Theatre. Here was music by Lukus Wells, a Binghamton- based folk singer, great Cajun food by a local Main Street merchant, a champagne toast spon- sored by a local taxi company, and a wedding cake, which Cathryn and Pat cut the first piece! The cake was great and was made by Christo- pher Wilson, who appeared as a guest columnist in the O-Town Scene. There was also a silent auc- tion benefiting the Human Rights Campaign. The staff at the Oneonta Theatre was phenom- enal! If it were not for their efforts and profession- alism, the event would not have been as flawless at it was! LGBTQ Events Thu. 7/28 Trash Thursday with Katrina, 9 p.m., Merlin’s, 201 State St., Bingham- ton. Fri. 7/29 College Night, Merlin’s, 201 State St., Binghamton. College ID’s in free before 11 p.m. Sat. 7/30 Body Canvas Art Show, World Martini Lounge, Syracuse. Live painted models featured after 9 p.m. White Party – The Syracuse Summer Event, 10 p.m., Twist Ultra Lounge, 252 W. Genesee St., Syracuse. Thu. 8/4 Lutheran Skirts Live, 9 p.m., Tranquil Bar & Bistro, 36 Pine St., Bingham- ton. Thursday Night Acoustic Session, 9:00 p.m. Sat. 8/6 Official Brandon C. Birthday Bash, Twist Ultra Lounge, Syracuse. Music by DJ Pauly V. Thu. 8/11 Deveroe Live, 9 p.m., Tranquil Bar & Bistro, 36 Pine St., Binghamton, Thursday night acoustic session. Fri 8/26 Queers United and Friends, 9 p.m. Oneonta Theatre, 47 Chestnut St., Oneonta. Admission is $10. 20 O-Town Scene July 28, 2011 Jon Weiss and his gang should be commended for a job well done and you should give them a shout and give them a robust “thank you.” History was made July 24! I am so proud of New York state and the couples that came forward to commit their lives legally to one another. I am just so elated I was part of it all and did what I could to help facilitate three couples’ desire to marry their life partners. Bravo, New York, Gov. Cuomo and same sex couples all over New York who got mar- ried! — Jim Koury Jim Koury was born and raised in Oneonta. He is a gay activist, and the city clerk of Oneonta, a position he has held for 18 years. He can be reached at editor@diversityrules- magazine.com. DIVERSITY WRITERS Interested in contributing a column to the Diversity Scene? E-mail editor@otownscene.com the Diversity Scene July 28-Aug. 3