Good News Friday: After 31 Years, Danny And John Are Getting Married

Manhattan Assemblyman Danny O’Donnell has worked for years as one of New York’s most vocal advocates for marriage equality and, finally, just last week, he got his own marriage license so he, and his partner of thirty-one years, John Banta, are finally free to get married.
For years, O’Donnell was at the center of marriage fight. He was the first openly gay man in the New York State Assembly, and introduced five bills to legalize gay marriage over the years.
Never say die. That's the lesson we learned from Danny O'Donnell.
And because he worked so hard,m and so long, for the rights of gay citizens of New York to marry, he and Banta will be throwing quite the elaborate wedding.
The guest list reads like a who’s who of New York politics and invitations have gone out to more than 400 guests.
Danny O'Donnell: “I invited almost all of the members of the Assembly and almost all the members of the Senate who voted yes to come to my wedding, which, when you add their spouses, that’s a lot of people. So they were invited, and most of them are coming.”
His won't be the first high-profile gay wedding--Mayor Michael Bloomberg married two of his top aides at Gracie Mansion--and it will not be the last--City Council Speaker Christine Quinn plans to marry this spring.
And his won;'t be the only high-profile same-sex marriage in his own family: his sister, Rosie O’Donnell, is also engaged.
But no one worked as hard and as long for the right to marry.
Congratulations gentlemen. And Best wishes.

I Know How It Feels

The Dignity For All Students Act, a sweeping anti-bullying bill, sponsored by openly gay Daniel O'Donnell, has overwhelmingly passed in New York's state Assembly.

The new act would afford all persons in public schools an environment free of harassment and discrimination based on actual or perceived race, national origin, ethnic group, religion, disability, sexual orientation, weight, gender, or sex. The bill has been endorsed by Governor Paterson although it has yet to be taken up by the Senate. O'Donnell has called on the state Senate to pass the bill immediately. Only five of O'Donnell's colleagues in the Assembly voted against his bill.

Some folks say this is too much, that bullying is "kid's play," that it's all in good fun. Boys will be boys. Well, as a boy who was bullied in school, I wish there had been some sort of protection when i was a kid. Hell, I would have been happy with a little common sense.

I can remember being in junior high class, and having a teacher ask me a question. I didn't like having the spotlight on me, but I was a shy kid, and shyness breeds manners, so I quietly answered the question; correctly, too, I might add. Then, from the back of the room I distinctly heard someone say Faggot. I heard him; the people around me heard him, because there were giggles. I know the teacher heard him, but he just went on with the lesson as though nothing happened.

I remember being in the locker room changing for gym class, when one of those bullies came up to me. I knew what was coming so I tried to look away, but, of course, that only gives a bully power. He walked right up to me and pushed his face close to mine, and asked, Are you gay?

I stammered and stuttered, knowing however I answered the question would be wrong. No, would get me called a liar. Yes, would probably mean worse. So, I stayed silent, and he asked again.

Are. You. Gay?

I closed my eyes wishing it would all go away and when I opened them again he was even closer. He kept coming closer and then he kissed me, on the mouth. Then he shoved me into a locker and said, I knew it, and ran outside. By the time I got out to the basketball courts he had told everyone that I tried to kiss him.

They say that whatever doesn't kill you makes you stronger; sometimes. Other times it just makes you afraid to walk the halls alone.