CELEBS TURN OUT FOR NEW YORK RALLY

A number of celebrities and even the city’s mayor turned out for a significant rally supporting same-sex marriage in New York on Sunday.

Thousands took part in the Broadway Impact’s Equality rally, which aimed to urge the New York State legislature to legalise gay marriage in the state.

Sex And The City actress Cynthia Nixon, who spoke at the event, took the opportunity to announce that she was recently engaged to het girlfriend of six years, Christine Marinoni.

“I have a secret to tell you. Last month, my girlfriend Christine and I got engaged. And I have a beautiful ring to prove it,” she told the cheering crowd.

“Now the main argument I hear against legalising same-sex marriage is that in some way this will forever alter and mar traditional marriage, and what I want to know is: How? How will my girlfriend and I getting married have any effect on you and your wife, or you and your husband sitting at home? I also hear that the right to legal same-sex marriage is seen as an attack on traditional marriage, and I want to say that you are not the ones being attacked, we are,” she said.

Nixon’s Sex And The City co-star Kristin Davis also attended the event as did actor David Hyde Pierce, Ugly Betty’s Ana Ortiz, Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Governor David Paterson.

“My name is David Paterson and I came here today seeking justice,” the governor said while addressing the crowd, adding, “Let New York lead the country in making the dreams and wishes come true for people who want to get married.”

The crowd were treated to performances by the cast of the musical Hair and openly gay Broadway singer Cheyenne Jackson.

Another rally organised by Hispanic clergy and state Senator Ruben Diaz Sr. opposing same-sex marriage was also held in the city on Sunday, attracted people in their thousands.

“Look, Mr. Governor. Look at the people here,” said Diaz, as he pointed to thousands of protesters opposed to gay marriage gathered outside Paterson’s office. Many of the anti-gay marriage protestors held signs reading: “Don’t change marriage!” and “New York is not Sodom and Gomorrah!”

It is believed that the bill to legalise same-sex marriage in the state is six votes short of the votes required to be passed in the Senate.