Get on board Marty’s Marriage Train!
Borough President Markowitz will throw open Borough Hall on Sunday to host a marathon session of nuptials for same-sex couples on the first day of legal gay marriage in New York State.
Not only can couples use the space for taking the ultimate plunge, but the gay-marriage–backing Beep will provide free champagne, cake, and photographs. Rabbis, ministers, and judges will be on hand to lawfully wed the lovers.
And there are lots of people looking to tie the knot.
According to the mayor’s office, 2,661 same- and opposite-sex couples have already applied for marriage licenses for July 24. According to the official, the clerk’s office simply does not have the capacity to handle all the requests.
In response, Mayor Bloomberg and Council Speaker Christine Quinn (D–Manhattan) decided to cap the number of licenses granted on that day at 764 — more than the previous high of 621 on Valentine’s Day in 2003 — and will use a lottery to decide who the lucky couples will be. Those randomly selected to get their licenses on Sunday will be notified starting Thursday.
Markowitz’s Wedding Day event requires no prior sign-up — though, by law, all couples will need that license to take part in the historic event. Markowitz, one of the city’s most ardent supporters of gay marriage legalization, is kvelling.
“Whatever your religious convictions, love is love — and we need to do everything possible to foster relationships and families,” he said after same-sex marriage became legal.
