I was shocked to read about the 38-to-24 vote rejecting a bill that would have allowed gay couples the right to marry in New York. And, to think, it will remain this way until at least 2011 — that is quite appalling, in my opinion. In a New York Times article I read this morning, the executive director of the New York State Catholic Conference was quoted as saying, “This is a victory for the basic building blocks of our society.” Given the role New York City has played in the gay liberation and the Stonewall riots of 1969, not to mention the influence of the gay community on the city today, I think this is an embarrassment to New York. I recently saw a 10-year-old on CNN share his reason for refusing to say the Pledge of Allegiance in class. Will Philips has decided the statement “with liberty and justice for all” is not true until gays have equal rights. Thus, he has refused to say the Pledge with his classmates. Go Will! I find it interesting that a 10-year-old can understand the meaning of equal rights, yet the New York State Senate cannot. Unfortunately for them, voting “no” will do anything but put this subject to rest. — Courtney Centeno, account executive