Local Leaders React to Marriage Equality Bill

New York lawmakers legalized gay marriage on Friday night, drawing praise from some in Three Village.

Rev. Margie Allen of the said there is a feeling of jubilation among her congregation, which has previously taken a stand in support of marriage equality.

"The uniting of two loving people in the covenant of marriage has an ancient, practical, and fundamental usefulness in society," Rev. Allen said. "Marriage protects a unit of human caring.  Each marriage-protected bond strengthens our social infrastructure.  ...  Marriage matters.  The word “marriage” matters.  What marriage means, legally and socially, matters."

RELATED: Read an op-ed on marriage equality from Rev. Allen.

Members of UUFSB recently in support of marriage equality.

It's an issue which has had many religious communities in particular expressing their opinions. For instance, across the street and down the road from UUFSB, the sign at  reads "1 man + 1 woman = 1 marriage." Leaders of Church on the Sound could not be reached for comment Saturday.

State Assemb. Steve Englebright, D-Setauket, had voted for the bill when it went through the Assembly.

"I always supported that bill or other measures like it," he said in an interview Saturday. "I don't see any problem in supporting the concept of a long term realationship being called marriage. ... Any two people who love each other, willing to make a long term commitment, it seems to me they should be married."

Englebright also praised the four Republican Senators whose "aye" votes helped turn the bill into law, particularly Sen. Roy McDonald, R-Saratoga, whom Englebright said had received death threats when he announced he would support gay marriage rights.