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News, Reviews & Commentary on Lesbian and Bisexual women in Entertainment and the Media

Cynthia Nixon Announces Her Engagement at New York Same-Sex Marriage Rally

Film, TV, and theater star Cynthia Nixon announced to the crowd of thousands gathered at Broadway Impact's Equality rally in New York City on Sunday, May 17, that she is engaged to be married to her partner since 2003, Christine Marinoni.

"I have a secret to tell you," she told the cheering crowd. "Last month, my girlfriend Christine and I got engaged. And I have a beautiful ring to prove it."

Nixon went on to call for the right for same-sex couples to get married in New York State, and talked about how Christine is a stay-at-home mom to their children, but has no legal right to them if Nixon dies (the children's father and Nixon's former partner, Danny Mozes, is also very involved in parenting them).

Nixon with Marinoni and their children

The rally was organized to encourage the New York State legislature to pass marriage equality legislation before the current session ends on June 20.

After talking about the financial benefits of same-sex marriage to the State of New York, Nixon directed her remarks to the majority of people who oppose gay marriage not for religious reasons, but just because they "haven't caught up with us yet."

Now the main argument I hear against legalizing same-sex marriage is that in some way this will forever alter and mar traditional marriage, and what I want to know is: How? How will my girlfriend and I getting married have any affect on you and your wife, or you and your husband sitting at home? I also hear that the right to legal same-sex marriage is seen as an attack on traditional marriage, and I want to say that you are not the ones being attacked, we are.

And please believe I'm not being flippant when I say this: The right to marry is about us, it is not about you, any more than the fight for integration was about white people, or a women's right to vote was about men. It is only about you to the extent that you have to live with yourself knowing that you are depriving a significant portion of the population their basic civil rights.

Nixon's Sex and the City co-star Kristin Davis was on stage with Nixon to lend her support, and there were performances, speeches and appearances by actors Audra McDonald, Ana Ortiz, Cheyenne Jackson and David Hyde Piece, as well as New York City Council Member Christine Quinn, State Senator Tom Duane, State Assemblyman Daniel O'Donnell, and Gov. David Paterson.

Nixon at the rally with Kristin Davis and Gov. Paterson

Nixon is an outspoken advocate for several issues, including gay rights. She recently came under fire from the religious right for supporting Planned Parenthood, and she has spent a good deal of time raising awareness about breast cancer over the last several years (she is a breast cancer survivor).

Professionally, Nixon is busy playing the lead in the Broadway play Distracted, and preparing to reprise her role of Miranda in a sequel to the hugely popular Sex and the City movie.

Watch Nixon's speech at Broadway.tv

whitelabcoat's picture

Nicely Said

The 'Not About You' argument is, of course, spot-on. Nixon is a terrific advocate - always thoughtful and articulate. If only I liked Sex and the City ...
johnnynoname's picture

totally agree with cynthia!

so true...the right to marry is not about those straight people, it's about us!

 

 

be gay and be proud

James Bailey's picture

Its so important that

Its so important that same-sex marriage is allowed just incase anything happens to your partner or to your children as highlighted here. 

"Christine is a stay-at-home mom to their children, but has no legal right to them if Nixon dies"

Its a constant worry that would be simply overcome by allowing people who love and care about each other to have access to some simple rights.

 

Jill T.'s picture

I know this shouldn't

I know this shouldn't matter, but they aren't Christine's children.  Nixon had them before they met.  Unless they get married and she adopts them, she wouldn't really have any legal right anyway.
Neopian's picture

We are so lucky here.

We are so lucky here in the Netherlands. Same sex marriage has been legal here for a few years now.

But I agree it is something worth fighting for.

Brody Sixx's picture

Nixon nails it

Others should follow her, and speak out at rallies like this.

It is fantastic and imperative that we have strong mena nd women out there showing the world that we are not freaks and deserve the same rights as all other hetero married couples.

Good on you Cynthia!!!!

 

Love from Brody XxX

buckboard's picture

Married or not married?

Right on, once again, Cynthia!  She never fails to impress me as an actress and as a spokesperson.

It's particularly interesting that Cynthia and her partner are planning on getting married.  She never was married to the father of her children, despite being with him for 15 years.  I guess gay people are saving the institution of marriage!

LauraLikesLadies's picture

Great speech!

Great Speech!

That was amazing, I didn't expect it to be that good. Wow 

Evolving's picture

I applaud Cynthia for saying

I applaud Cynthia for saying what she said nicely put.

 

 

http://blkgyrlsearching.blogspot.com/

 

Dana Rudolph's picture

Stepparents' rights

Nixon is a great spokesperson. One caution, however: Even if she were marrying a man, Nixon's children's legal parents would be herself and her ex-husband, not her new spouse. As I understand it from lawyers with whom I've spoken (I'm not a lawyer myself), stepparents don't become legal parents by marrying a parent (especially if the children's other parent is alive), and in most states have very limited rights over their new spouse's kids. Unless Nixon's ex gives up his rights to the kids (which I don't sense he wants to do, since he is amicable and involved with them), Marinoni would not become a legal parent even if she and Nixon marry.

If Danny Mozes gave up his rights to the kids, however, Marinoni could do a second-parent adoption of them even now, without needing to marry Nixon.

Marriage equality is a great thing, if only as a matter of basic fairness. It also gives children a better sense that their families are worthy and equal. We should be careful, however, in equating it with legal, parental rights. The two are not always identical. I'd hate to see stepparents thinking they have rights they don't, and finding out in a moment of crisis (like at a hospital with the kids).

--
Dana Rudolph
Mombian: Sustenance for Lesbian Moms
http://www.mombian.com

redhead4's picture

Well said

She never fails to impress me.
Clara's picture

She is tres tres awesome

She is tres tres awesome

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Jodielee3's picture

Awesome

The whole 'it's about us, not you' speech = amazing. Love her.
Symetta's picture

Thanks Cynthia!

My partner and I have been togather for 25 years and we finally got married on August 13th 2008 in San Francisco CA.  Great feeling, but now we have to worry about the Prop. 8, shit.  These people don't get it, I don't give a sh34t about their religion, I want my rights as a tax payer.  Half of the people that were protesting, don't have a clue as to why they are protesting.  If they could just get their small minds out of our bedrooms, they would see that we are just like they are.  But a little nicer, lol.

Be honest to yourself!!!

Jess's picture

oh wow i didn't know she was

oh wow i didn't know she was gay or bisexual or whatever she is. That so cool that she is standing up for gay rights! go girl xx
Amy's picture

Fantastic!

Watching the video really gives the best effect; it gave me goose bumps! Wonderful speech. It's all so true! Times like these I'm glad I live in the UK, where the public don't get to vote on issues concerning basic human rights...
carolinagrrrl's picture

Amazing!

I was fortunate enough to have been at that rally yesterday, and Nixon gave to BEST speech, by far. She was passionate and genuine, and her announcement has created a lot more publicity for the event than it would have garnered otherwise.

Also, as you can imagine, it was HILARIOUS watching all the gay men completely lose it when she and Davis were announced. Most people didn't know they were going to appear, and people FREAKED! :)

Thank you for the link to the video; I was hoping to see it again!

 

Diana's picture

I WAS THERE!!!  And yes

I WAS THERE!!!

 And yes it was an amazing speech, I wanted to cry, hearing Miranda's voice in person was crazy.  And of course the things she had to say were moving.

Sara's picture

All marriage should be

All marriage should be outlawed. No partnership should be given legal rights and privledge just from being married. Healthcare, tax benefits, the ability to visit your loved ones in the hospital should be our rights regardless of marriage. We shouldnt be asking for marriage we should be ending the insitution of marriage's power over what rights we do and do not have.
Jill T.'s picture

Its a nice point, but

Its a nice point, but marriage is never going to be outlawed. 
Nona J.'s picture

Cynthia is Amazing!

Cynthia never ceases to amaze me. Her speech was wonderful and very empowering. It is very hurtful as a law abiding, tax paying citizen that I am being denied my civil rights.

 

" True enjoyment comes from activity of the mind and exercise of the body; the two are ever united" ~ Wilhelm von Humbolt

Jill T.'s picture

Ugh.  My partner and I

Ugh.  My partner and I shelled out 30k in taxes last year due to having to file separately.  My parents have around the same income as us, but payed 11k less (spousal tax breaks).  I want my civil rights already! I could have been on multiple vacations with the extra money we have to pay.  

 

On a less rant-filled note, CONGRATS to the happy couple!   

gracie's picture

Great post, Cynthia, and

Great post, Cynthia, and very well-said!!
Ab's picture

legend!

what an absolute legend! i love her!
_myr_'s picture

great speach

that's one of the best arguements I've heard, same sex marriage is not about other people. I really hope they pass the legislation and even though it won't apply in my country at least I'll be there and celebrate at NYC pride for that with everybody else!
Keph's picture

wow

don't think i'v heard it as well put as miss Nixon had done.

indeed, what would 2 people getting married have an effect on others that have nothing to do with those 2 people getting married? they'r not asked to pay for the wedding, the reception...ha!

as I'v sometimes have to tell people, it's not all about you all the time!

sadly, when it's time for some people to advocate  for themselves, they won't even dare come out and do it. I can safely say that someone I know would participate in a protest against same sex marriage than participate in a protest that advocates for issues related to her work.

rebelzz's picture

I also hear that the right

I also hear that the right to legal same-sex marriage is seen as an attack on traditional marriage, and I want to say that you are not the ones being attacked, we are.

This quote is like the most awesome ever! :D

 

Lowell's picture

daniel o'donnell

did you know that he's rosie's older, openly gay brother? he's the one who has really been fighting for this, begging all of the senators to vote "yes". i've written my senator but he's an old fart who doesn't support equal marriage.

most say that's it's not likely that it will have enough votes, but i'm still holding out hope. 

Melissa Hsu's picture

I love her. Wonderful role

I love her. Wonderful role model.
whatismyname's picture

Isn't Marriage about Love Anyway?

It is great that we are finally having a real dialogue about this in our country.  I was forwarded a very well written, thoughtful, and humorous post about this debate today, and thought I would share:
 
 
I agree with this blogger -- love, not sexual orientation, is the most important part of marriage.
The Hearer's picture

Cynthia Nixon

and her speech made it even to the celebrity section in my little hometown´s (in Germany) newspaper, in a very neutral matter-of-fact tone (I mean, aren´t there "more important people" to report about in a section reserved for news on 3 or 4 celebs ? There certainly are ...).

This adds to the matter-of-fact tone articles on Ellen and Suze Orman I have been reading recently in a number of German newspapers.

Times, they are a changing.

(I should add that the reports / articles in Germany suffer from a serious time lag ... I have always read it on AE days before ...) 

babinxd's picture

you go

you go girl!

 

----

 

http://twitter.com/barbarabom 

Prince Di's picture

positive

all about the equal rights

 

Prince Di's picture

positive

need all the positive recognition can get  

7Up's picture

nice speach

she's awesome!
EdieGir's picture

She is a skilled orator,

She is a skilled orator, very well said. She is an exceptional spokesperson. On the parental rights though, here in Ireland the step-spouse does get some claim to the children if they have been the ones raising them etc but still may have to go through legal battles if the rest of a family aren't happy about it. But at least they get recognised as having raised the kids and being a significant part of their childhood.