6 times • JULY 2, 2015 FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT www.timesnewsweekly.com Gotham films another scene in Ridgewood BY KELLY MARIE MANCUSO [email protected] @KellyMancuso Queens lawmakers celebrate same-sex marriage decision BY ANGY ALTAMIRANO AND ROBERT POZARYCKI [email protected] @ridgewoodtimes 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 C o u n c i l m a n 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. “ T o d a y ’ 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. The streets of Ridgewood were transformed into the gritty backdrop for the filming of Fox’s hit television series “Gotham” on the afternoon of June 30. The show’s lead actor, Ben McKenzie, brought his character Det. James Gordon to life in a fast-paced action sequence filmed beneath the Seneca Avenue M train station. The intersection of Palmetto Street and Seneca Avenue was transformed into the fictitious Gotham City corner of Harlow Avenue and Wattford Street for the shoot. The daytime shoot captured a scene with McKenzie facing off against an original costumed super-villain claiming to be the “Zarnod, Reaper of Souls.” McKenzie’s character Gordon was busy directing traffic on reallife Seneca Avenue when the villain struck, taking a pedestrian hostage on the sidewalk. Gordon approached with his gun drawn and battled the fiend beneath the bright red awning of the Crown Fried Chicken restaurant on the corner of Seneca Avenue and Palmetto Street. The cast and crew filmed multiple takes of the scene from a variety of angles and vantage points, and filmed well into the afternoon. The Gottscheer Hall on Fairview Avenue served as the holding area for the film shoot. The hall’s main dining room served as a makeup and wardrobe area for the cast. When filming wrapped, the cast and crew returned to the dining hall for a large meal before moving onto the next location on Johnson Avenue in Bushwick. The June 30 shoot marks the second time “Gotham” used Ridgewood as the location for the Dark Knight’s hometown. Back in February, the show filmed a scene at the same location featuring classic Batman villain The Riddler, played by actor Corey Michael Smith. The scene shot on June 30 will be featured in the upcoming second season of “Gotham” set to air on Fox in the fall. Photo courtesy of Councilman Jimmy Van Bramer’s office Councilman Jimmy Van Bramer, who married his husband Dan Hendrick in 2012, said he was moved to tears when he heard the Supreme Court’s decision. Photo via Twitter/@Dromm25 Councilman Daniel Dromm (front, right) celebrates the Supreme Court decision in Jackson Heights. RIDGEWOOD TIMES/photo by Kelly Marie Mancuso A villain takes aim at Jim Gordon during the filming of ‘Gotham’ in Ridgewood.
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