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NBC's The Today Show is holding a "Modern Day Wedding Contest"- but only making applications open to opposite-sex couples. NBC says it is because the wedding will take place in New York State, which does not allow same-sex couples to marry.
Unfortunately, this argument overlooks two important facts: First, many same-sex couples have their wedding celebration in states that do not offer the freedom to marry for same-sex couples, while legally marrying out-of-state. My best friend was wed last fall in Virginia, of all places, because that's where her closest friends were and her fiance's family lived nearest. But they then took a honeymoon to Vermont, where they also tied the knot legally. There's no reason the same could not happen for couples who wish to do so in New York State, particularly because four surrounding states- Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, and Connecticut- all same-sex couples the freedom to marry.
Second, New York State, courtesy of an executive action by Gov. Paterson, recognizes the marriages of same-sex couples who wed out of state. So it's even likely we're talking about NYS couples who wish to celebrate and reside in the state. There's no reason they should be treated any differently.
Change.org and GLAAD have a petition to NBC that sent 2,600 e-mails so far to NBC executives. Via Towleroad, NBC responded positively:
Two things you can do to help:
1) Sign the Change.org petition, which will send an e-mail to NBC executives, urging them to allow same-sex couples to wed.
2) Tweet @todayshow and ask them to allow same-sex couples to enter. Here's mine:
@adamjbink .@todayshow Many NYS same-sex couples marry out of state but live, work and celebrate in NYS. Pls end discrimination in your contest. #LGBT
Update: I forgot to add, deadline for submission of applications is Friday, so all deliberate speed on this is critical.
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