Marriage equality legislation has been spotlighted in the national news this week with both Washington and California taking steps to legalize same sex marriages.
WBFO News contributor Christina Abt recently chatted with the first couple to marry under New York State's Marriage Equality Law, well-known Buffalo gay rights activists Kitty and Cheryle Lambert-Rudd.
On Sunday July 24, 2011 at 12:01 a.m. with the rainbow lit power of Niagara Falls roaring in the background, Kitty Lambert and Cheryle Rudd legally said, “I Do," the first gay couple to wed under New York State’s newly passed Marriage Equality Law.
Having recently celebrated their 6 month anniversary, it seemed appropriate to have a chat with the newlyweds. We met at their home where we were joined by their dog, Elvis and their cat Cooper. I began by asking if marriage had at all changed their relationship.
"Other than a piece of paper that gives us all the rights, no", said Rudd.
"There's a feeling though," said Lambert. "Well yeah there is a feeling of security, that comfort," said Rudd
"There's this comfort," said Lambert.
Kitty and Cheryle's wedded bliss has not in any way displaced their continued commitment to marriage equality. It is a dedication that began with the organization they created and named, OUTspoken for Equality in Buffalo.
"What started as two lesbians, two fat little grandmas trotting down the middle of Elmwood Avenue with a hand painted banner we did on a kitchen table...and then all of a sudden we hit this point where the discussions got more public," said Lambert. "They were out there, people knew where to go...We took every opportunity to have the public conversations. That's how this change came about, the public conversations."
The turning point for Outspoken came in early 2011, as marriage equality came before the New York State Senate.
With State Senator Mark Grisanti of Buffalo looming as a swing vote, marriage equality activists, including Kitty and Cheryle, presented the Senator's chief of staff with a gift box of 1,324 individually wrapped candies representing the 1,324 rights and responsibilities denied to gay individuals legally restricted from marrying.
The presentation of their gift was considerably less impactful than intended, until Kitty stepped up.
"These are our rights...Just one of these rights, would you give up one of your rights?" said Lambert.
Ultimately, the candy plan led to an in-person meeting between Senator Grisanti and 16 gay rights activists, including Cheryle and Kitty. The Senator details the impact of that day.
"It was eye opening...who am I to deny somebody rights that I have with my wife," said Grisanti.
While sharing details about the rights and freedoms that define their marriage, Kitty and Cheryle also share poignant memories of their wedding, as you would expect of any newlyweds. Kitty proudly produces a bottle of wine from Freedom Trail, a winery that bottled a distinctive vintage for their special occasion.
"It's a lovely bottle of wine and at the bottom it says 'bottled in the spirit of freedom. To honor the love that brings with it the strength and courage to make change happen', and that's what this was about, it was creating change," said Lambert.
Pausing, Kitty then brings the conversation full circle as she returns to the nucleus of the marriage equality law.
"Equal access to equal protection under existing law. That's all this is about. I will love who I love, you will love who you love...to deny anyone freedom is wrong," said Lambert.