On Wednesday, May 11, the New York City Council passed a resolution urging Congress to repeal the ban on gay and lesbian service members serving openly in the armed force. The resolution was requested by American Veterans For Equal Rights N.Y. (AVERNY) and was introduced by Councilman Alan Gerson, a Manhattan Democrat. Seen on the steps of City Hall on May 11 are Billiam van Roestenberg; James Reilly; Maj. Jeff McGowan, Ret.; Claude Ashby, Jr.; Denny Meyer, president of AVERNY; and City Councilman Alan Gerson. Van Roestenberg and McGowan were married last year by Mayor Jason West of Nyack, and are now plaintiffs in a lawsuit suing New York for the right to have their marriage legally recognized.
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