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North Hempstead’s Town Clerk and Local Businesses Gearing Up for Flood of Ceremonies Following Passage of Marriage Equality

 

For Immediate Release                                                                              Media Contacts: Collin Nash, Sid Nathan, and Jason Elan
June 29, 2011                                                                                                                                                           (516) 869-7794

North Hempstead’s Town Clerk and Local Businesses Gearing Up for Flood of Ceremonies Following Passage of Marriage Equality
Passage of New Legislation Seen as Potential Boom for Greater North Hempstead Economy and Local Businesses

North Hempstead, NYThe Town of North Hempstead is gearing up for a flood of marriage license applications and wedding ceremonies following the historic passage of New York state legislation allowing all committed couples the freedom to marry.

At the same time, observers of the widening trend among states to make marriage equality—six all told—point to its potential economic benefits, an outcome some North Hempstead businesses are preparing to greet with open arms.

Town Clerk Leslie Gross, the chief marriage officer for the Town of North Hempstead, reminded couples that they can begin to apply for marriage licenses any time from the time from the expected July 24 date when the law goes into effect. Details of required documents needed to obtain a license are available on the Town’s website at www.northhempsteadny.gov. Town Clerk Gross stressed that there is a 24-hour waiting period after the marriage license is issued.

“This groundbreaking legislation,” Gross said, “underscores what many Town of North Hempstead officials have long believed, that couples of all gender deserve equal rights and privileges of sharing their lives together.”

In fact, seven years ago, the North Hempstead Town Board voted unanimously to introduce legislation—authored by then Town Councilman and presently Nassau County Legislator Wayne Wink—giving assistance to both heterosexual and same-sex couples to provide evidence of a relationship for health and other such benefits.

“It is heartening to see our state evolving in favor of the civil rights of all our residents,” Legislator Wink said. “The Domestic Partnership Registry, while still helpful will now no longer serve as the only avenue for couples to evidence their loving, committed relationships. And that is a wonderful thing.”

Gross said she is looking forward to uniting scores of couples in matrimony in the coming months.

That, some in the business community said, is music to their ears.

"We expect our private function business at Louie's to increase by at least 5% with additional rehearsal dinners, weddings and anniversaries,” said Marty Picone, co-owner of Louie's Oyster Bar & Grill in Port Washington.

As part of the effort to at promote North Hempstead’s local businesses, the Town’s Business, Tourism and Development Corporation will be creating a wedding business directory for prospective couples. The directory will include a listing of wedding facilities, catering halls, restaurants, florists and other local businesses that can assist with wedding planning.

“We expect a financial uptick in North Hempstead as a result of the new marriage equality law,” said Ian Siegel, Executive Director of the Business, Tourism and Development Corporation. “This is perfect opportunity to attract business to North Hempstead and showcase the many wonderful businesses and locations we have to hold your wedding or get married. You want to get married in North Hempstead. "

For more information call the Town of North Hempstead Registrars Office at 516-869-7652 or 311 or visit www.northhempsteadny.gov.


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