Community Corner

Nyack: Same-Sex Marriage in the Park

Local reverend, mayor to provide free, outdoor marriages

Nyack's relationship with same-sex marriage has always been progressive—former mayor John Shields was one of New York's first openly gay officials, and he fought vehemently for the rights of same-sex couples to wed.

Now, just weeks after the , Shields has been .

In that same spirit, local Reverend Sala Saran and Nyack mayor Richard Kavesh will set up shop in Memorial Park and marry all interested same-sex couples—free of charge—Saturday, July 30.

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"The idea to do this actually came from a colleague of mine who announced her intention to do same thing in Washington Square Park," explained Saran, who lives in Valley Cottage with her husband and three children. "A few of us that were ordained [together] decided to replicate the idea."

"I think it is important for the community to know that celebrating marriage equality is not only important to the gay community," Saran added.

Find out what's happening in Nyack-Piermontwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Saran noted this will be the first time she has officiated same-sex marriages, and the first time she has married folks for free, too. Marriages will be conducted between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. at the waterfront gazebo.

"We will allocate 30 minutes per each couples, so they can have a personal ceremony," Saran said. She expects to marry between 16 and 20 couples this weekend.

Kavesh noted he is looking forward to Saturday. "It's one of the best parts of being mayor," he said.

Saran encourages any interested couples to contact her beforehand and supply a brief history. She can be contacted at (845) 200-1096 revsalasaran@gmail.com.

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Correction: This story originally stated the ceremonies would be July 23. The error has been remedied.


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