Many Local Businesses, Religious Leaders Welcome Gay Unions

Though the passage of the Marriage Equality Act in New York won’t spur wedding plans for Dale Beverly, 54, a Bedford Hills resident who is gay and single, he said he knows couples in the area who will likely tie the knot.

“Maybe in Bedford, the gay scene is a little quieter, you won’t hear about it right away, but I hope in some small way, this will give comfort to gay couples, and make it easier for them to reveal and celebrate their status,” said Beverly, who serves on the board for the Hudson Valley LGBTQ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual Transgender and Queer) Community Center.

And when the law legalizing gay marriages takes effect July 24, some local religious institutions and wedding vendors will be ready to help couples plan and prepare for gay nuptials.

“We already work with gay and lesbian couples to create wedding invitations,” said Barry Marks, co-owner of , a stationery shop in Katonah. “But the last several weddings were destination ceremonies so this could certainly open up doors locally.”

Whether the new law will be a boon to wedding planners in Northern Westchester is up for debate, but professionals in the industry are excited to see a new market segment open up.  Chereese Jervis-Hill, president of , an events planning firm in Cortlandt Manor, said she was thrilled to see the legislation pass. “Love is love—and we’re happy to be a resource to the gay community.”

Where can gay couples get married in the area?

Town hall is one potential spot for ceremonies, or at least the first stop when it comes to getting a marriage license. There have been no inquiries yet regarding same-sex ceremonies, according to the town clerk’s office. Since the law takes effect on a Sunday, licenses won’t be handed out until Monday, Jul. 25.  

Catholic church leaders remain opposed to gay marriage, so you won’t see gay marriages performed at in Bedford. Monsignor George Thompson, pastor of the church and regional vicar for Northern Westchester and Putnam County, explained that the church's position cannot allow for the re-definition of the sacred institution of marriage. “We have no desire to limit the rights and freedoms of gay men and women, but the church sees marriage as the union of a man and woman—it is the most fundamental institution upon which our civilization is based,” he said.

Other Christian churches view the matter differently and some are already talking about performing same-sex wedding ceremonies.

has been supportive of gay rights and gay marriage for a long time, according to the Rev. Rachel Thompson, Minister for Congregational Life. “We rejoiced earlier this year when the discriminatory clause was struck from the constitution of the national Presbyterian Chuch and Paul Alcorn (senior minister) and I would be more than happy to officiate at a ceremony.” In her sermon Sunday, she said she gave thanks for “the arc of history bending a little closer to justice this week in New York.” 

The Rev. Melissa Boyer, pastor of the 100-member , said she signed a “Covenant of Conscience" along with 150 other United Methodist clergy in southern New York state to indicate her willingness to officiate at gay weddings.

Boyer said she though she signed it as an individual clergy person and she would have to go through a “thoughtful process of study as a congregation” to hold same-sex ceremonies at the church, she has a sense that the congregation would support it. During Sunday's servcies, she said, a church member offered a prayer of thanks for the fact that her gay and lesbian friends can now be married.

And at least one Jewish temple will welcome the opportunity to sanctify gay and lesbian weddings. The , which serves residents of Northern Westchester, has always had an inclusive view, according to Rabbi Mark Semeth. “The tide is turning,” he said. “As a rabbi, a Jew, a New Yorker, and as a human being I feel blessed to witness this moment.”

Deb Thompson, of the Westchester-based Weddings by Debra Thompson, said she has planned gay "civil union" ceremonies in the past and is happy she'll now be able to call them "wedding ceremonies."

"It's always a beautiful event when two people marry, no matter their sexual orientation," she said.

Beverly noted that the actual act of marriage may not change the loving relationship one way or another for some couples, but knowing it can happen legally in a variety of venues gives them validation.

“And that’s more than anyone can ask for,” he said.