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Community Corner

Hamptons Residents Rally for Same-Sex Marriage [PHOTOS]

Light the Way to Justice Vigil brings together gay rights advocates.

More than 25 demonstrators gathered in front of Incarnation Lutheran Church Tuesday evening to rally in favor of gay rights as the U.S. Supreme Court considers the constitutionality of same-sex marriage bans and the Defense of Marriage Act.

The Hamptons Light the Way to Justice Vigil was in solidarity with similar gatherings in Washington D.C. and across the country. Lisa Votino-Tarrant, who worked with the Human Rights Campaign to urge the New York State Legislature to legalize same-sex marriage, organized the event in conjunction with the Rev. Dr. Katrina Foster, the pastor of Incarnation Lutheran Church and the St. Michael's Lutheran Church in Amagansett.

Those participating included East Hampton resident Heather Dunn-Kostura and 
Bridget LeRoy and her sons Joel Johnson and Bing Johnson, all of whom live in Springs. Joel Johnson is the president of the Gay-Straight Alliance at East Hampton High School, and a student advocate for LGBT rights.

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Demonstrators want to see the Supreme Court strike down DOMA, a federal law that defines marriage as between one man and one woman and establishes that states do not have to recognize same-sex marriages from other states. The Supreme Court this week is also considering Prop 8, a ballot initiative in California that amended the state constitution to only recognize marriages between opposite-sex couples.

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  • Live Out Loud Fundraiser Celebrates Same-Sex Couples who Tied the Knot
  • First Same-Sex Wedding Ceremony in East Hampton Goes Off Without a Hitch
  • Local Doctor Among First to Get East Hampton Marriage License

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