18 The QUEE NS Courier • JULY 2, 2015 for breaking news visit www.queenscourier.com Queens lawmakers celebrate Supreme Court same-sex marriage decision BY ANGY ALTAMIRANO AND ROBERT POZARYCKI [email protected] @QueensCourier Same-sex marriage is constitutional, according to the U.S. Supreme Court. In a 5-4 decision issued on the morning of June 26, the court overturned state-imposed bans on same-sex marriage. The court ruled that gay and lesbian couples have the right to marry under the 14th Amendment through the Due Process and Equal Protection clauses. “The fundamental liberties” in the Due Process Clause “extend to certain personal choices central to individual dignity and autonomy, including intimate choices defining personal identity and beliefs,” according to the decision. Queens lawmakers and gay rights advocates – including City Councilman Daniel Dromm – expressed delight in the decision in statements issued on June 26. “Marriage is finally equal,” said Dromm, who is one of Queens’ two openly gay City Council members. “No longer will there be gay marriage or heterosexual marriage – just marriage. As someone who has been in the gay rights movement for over 40 years, it is difficult to express my sentiments. I never thought I would live to see this day. God bless America.” Councilman Jimmy Van Bramer, who is the second openly gay Queens City Council member, released a statement on June 26 together with his husband, Dan Hendrick. “Today’s Supreme Court Decision is a landmark ruling making marriage equality the law of the land. Make no mistake, this decision is historic and breathtaking in its recognition of the equality inherent in love,” Van Bramer said. “We have been moved to tears this morning, knowing that the pain and stigma of being unequal is lifted. Of knowing that our relationship and our love is recognized by our country and is just as valid, beautiful and equal as any other.” “Thanks to today’s ruling, same-sex couples across the country will no longer be treated as second-class citizens when it comes to issues regarding the family,” Queens Borough President Melinda Katz said. “This is a great day for those who believe in the dignity of all people.” “History will remember this day as a watershed moment, a day when ‘we the people’ took another major step toward justice in our enormous and enduring struggle to form a more perfect union,” said U.S. Rep. Joe Crowley. “When we passed the Marriage Equality Act in 2011, New York sent a message to the nation that it was time to end one of society’s greatest inequities, and I am thrilled to see the court join us on the right side of history,” Governor Andrew Cuomo said. “Today, we are proud New Yorkers and proud Americans. Today, progress marches on.” “One of my proudest moments as a legislator was my vote for marriage equality in New York State; today I am equally proud that the United States Supreme Court extended these rights to all Americans,” said Assemblywoman Aravella Simotas. “This ruling sends a strong message that bigotry and intolerance will not be the law of the land.” “Our country will finally afford millions of Americans the rights they have always deserved, but until now were unable to exercise,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio. “Today, this country is richer – filled with more equality, more acceptance, and more love than yesterday. And for the people of this city, where the movement for LGBT rights began in 1969 at the Stonewall Inn, we can be proud that we helped blaze the trail to this great victory.” The court was ideologically split in its decision, as Justice Anthony Kennedy – regarded as its most moderate member – sided in the majority with the court’s four liberal justices: Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Sonia Sotomayor, Elena Kagan and Stephen Breyer. The conservative wing – Chief Justice John Roberts and Justices Clarence Thomas, Antonin Scalia and Samuel Alito – voted in the minority. Photo via Twitter/@Dromm25 Councilman Daniel Dromm (front, right) celebrates the Supreme Court decision in Jackson Heights. Queens Chamber of Commerce selects new executive director Photo by Stephen Vrattos Queens Chamber of Commerce President Al Pennisi (right) introduces the new executive director of the Chamber, Tom Grech (left). BY STEPHEN VRATOS [email protected]/@QueensCourier New Queens Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Tom Grech felt like a certain Mets rookie pitcher in making his debut Tuesday. “I hope that my rookie season here at the chamber is as good as Steven Matz’s of the Mets… and he’s a lefty, too,” said Grech after being introduced by chamber president Al Pennisi at a small gathering of about 30 chamber members on June 30. The announcement comes about three months after the sudden death of former Executive Director Jack Friedman in early April. According to Pennisi, an executive search committee “went through a lot of resumes and conducted a lot of interviews,” before selecting Grech, who has a long, successful career in economic development, as well as being the president of the Alumni Association for Scranton University, where he worked closely with students, and an adjunct professor at the School of Business for SUNY Farmingdale. A year ago, Grech approached the chamber about forming an energy committee. Working alongside Friedman, the pair established a group of 50 members, which Grech has been instrumental in growing by an additional 20 over the past year. “We have a unique opportunity here to knock the cover off the ball,” Grech said, referring to the borough’s recent surge in popularity. “I want to make Queens rock.” Grech further promised to make Queens the go-to place for businesses: “I’m not saying I’ll double the membership in a year, but I want to go out there in the next few months and tap on every single shoulder. If you do business in Queens, I want you in on this thing. The chamber needs to be a capitalistic tool.” To that end, Grech told the members he expected them to do their part, but he also understood that the chamber would have to deliver in turn, helping members build business by virtue of their participation in the organization. Grech also stressed the need for diversity in the chamber, noting the predominately white membership: “This is not Queens.” “Diversity is very important,” Grech continued. “The future of Queens… the future of the East Coast depends on diversity. I want to go out and ask diverse businesses what they want.” President Pennisi summed up Grech’s appointment best: “I know that if Jack were still here today, he would have chosen Tom Grech.”
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