Rally Held In Times Square Calling For Same-Sex Marriage Rights Nationwide
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork/AP) -- Advocates rallied in Times Square Monday night in hopes of seeing same-sex marriage legalized nationwide, a day before the issue comes before the U.S. Supreme Court.
Elected officials joined members of the clergy Monday in telling the crowd that it was time for the judges to decide that states can't define marriage as only between a man and a woman. Same-sex marriage is legal in 36 of 50 states – including New York, New Jersey and Connecticut.
Those in attendance held signs saying ``Marriage freedom means freedom for everyone.'' Onlookers passing through Times Square also stopped to listen.
The arguments are being made at the Supreme Court in Washington on Tuesday. The cases at issue come from Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio and Tennessee.
The State of New York legalized gay marriage in July 2011. Officials estimate gay marriage had an economic impact of $259 million on New York City alone during just the first year.
(TM and © Copyright 2015 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2015 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)