Fmr NYPD Commish Backs Marriage Equality

WASHINGTON – Former NYPD Commissioner Bill Bratton and his wife Rikki Klieman join the Human Rights Campaign in a new video in the “New Yorkers for Marriage Equality” campaign.  In the video, the man who is known for making New York safe, says, “"I believe in law and order. I've spent my life working to keep communities safe. Marriage equality under the law will make families safer and stronger." Bill Bratton is also the former Commissioner of the Boston and Los Angeles Police Departments.  Rikki Klieman is a high-profile criminal defense attorney and TV personality for TruTV. The video comes as the debate over marriage equality heats up in New York and nationwide.  The campaign, which raises the public profile of marriage equality in the Empire State, can be viewed below: 

 “We are honored to have former Commissioner Bill Bratton and his wife Rikki Klieman join the ‘New Yorkers for Marriage Equality Campaign’ at this critical time in the fight for marriage equality,” said HRC President Joe Solmonese. “Bill Bratton spent his life working in the community and knows firsthand the importance of family stability.  Marriage equality is about fundamental fairness and will make families stronger.” 

Two recent New York polls show a majority of New Yorkers support marriage equality. A Siena Research Institute Poll earlier found 57 percent of New Yorkers support marriage for same-sex couples and another recent poll by Quinnipiac University had support at 56 percent.

The New Yorkers for Marriage Equality campaign is centered on video testimonials from New Yorkers who support the right of same-sex couples to marry. To date, HRC has released videos from Bill Bratton and Rikki Klieman, Senators Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand, the Fabulous Beekman Boys, Russell Simmons, Mark and Sunrise Ruffalo, John Slattery, Joan Rivers, Barbara Bush, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Whoopi Goldberg, Daphne Rubin-Vega, Kyra Sedgwick and Kevin Bacon, Fran Drescher, Moby, Mayor Michael Bloomberg, Jeanne Moutoussamy-Ashe, Julianne Moore and Kenneth Cole – with more to follow in the coming weeks and months.

The Human Rights Campaign is America’s largest civil rights organization working to achieve lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender equality. By inspiring and engaging all Americans, HRC strives to end discrimination against LGBT citizens and realize a nation that achieves fundamental fairness and equality for all.