Action = Equality Rally

HRC teamed up with Broadway Impact to organize the Action=Equality Rally on Sunday evening in front of David Patterson's New York City office.  Anthony was one of the organizers, and he deserves a huge round of applause for all of his efforts!  A truly amazing day.

This past Tuesday, the NY State Assembly approved legislation that would make New York the sixth state to allow same-sex marriage. The final vote was 89 to 52, and this included the backing of 5 Republicans.  New Yorkers are very lucky that Governor Patterson is such a strong supporter.

It is estimated that between 20-30,000 people showed up for the rally.  Imagine what the numbers would have been if the sun was out! Crowds went back almost four blocks. 

So many people showed up to be on stage and take part in this history-making event!  So many more than this short list, but you can get an idea of the talent that actively give their time for this cause:

Sen. Tom Duane Cheyenne Jackson David Hyde Pierce

Kristin Davis Cynthia Nixon Gov. David Patterson

Ana Ortiz Mayor Bloomberg Speaker Christine Quinn

Daniel O'Donnell Audra McDonald The Cast of HAIR

Cynthia Nixon is standing on a riser.... She's not that tall!

Maria was asked to interpret at the last-min, and she tried her damn'est to find a partner to share some of the stage time - but couldn't find anyone who was available.  She would never let an event like this not be accessible if she could help it..... So it was Maria onstage for an hour and a half without any sort of break at all!  As luck would have it, Alyssa and Adrienne were attending the rally, and THANKFULLY they jumped up and helped out.  They are the BEST! 

This video is HRC's backstage coverage of the rally.