“After hours of conversations, meetings and reading, I have come to the firm conclusion that all people, regardless of their sexual orientation, should be treated equally Civil unions simply do not provide that equality in more than 1,300 legal categories.”

Republican Assemblywoman Janet Duprey, who voted against marriage equality in 2007, has seen her position evolve after hearing from fellow New Yorkers about what marriage means to them.

“In all of the discussions I have had with my constituents, the ones that moved me the most were the parents of homosexual children whom they love dearly,” Duprey said. “To a person these parents expressed their desire to see their gay and/or lesbian children share the same benefits, protection and love with their partners as their heterosexual siblings do with their spouses.”

Duprey further met with large numbers of homosexual individuals and couples, most in long-term relationships, some with children, and all asking for equal protection under the law.

“After hours of conversations, meetings and reading, I have come to the firm conclusion that all people, regardless of their sexual orientation, should be treated equally,” Duprey said. “Civil unions simply do not provide that equality in more than 1,300 legal categories.”

Only when the public educates their leaders on the issue of marriage equality will we see more courageous politicians like Assemblywoman Duprey change their minds.