Markowitz on Gay Marriage: "Love Is Love"

In celebration of , Brooklyn residents gathered at Borough Hall Wednesday night to break out the bubbly at Love is Love, a celebratory champagne toast hosted by borough president Marty Markowitz.

Two versions of "wedding" cake were served—one gay-themed, the other Lesbian. More than 100 LGBT supporters showed up to partake in the festivities. 

Markowitz kicked things off around 6:30 p.m., standing under a rainbow-colored Chuppah, or covering, traditionally used during Jewish wedding ceremonies. 

And though same-sex unions will not be legal until July 24, Markowitz and other elected officials said they couldn't wait to get an expected wave of invitations from gay couples, who after years of fighting for marriage equality, will get their chance to walk down the aisle or hoist their own Chuppah.

"This is a wonderful victory, an important victory," said Assemblyman Hakeem Jeffries, D-Brooklyn. "It should resonate not across the state, but across the country and prove to folks once again that we live in a country where good ultimately prevails, and good prevailed."

Jeffries and Markowitz were joined under the Chuppah by state Sen. Velmanette Montgomery, D-Brooklyn, city Comptroller John Liu and LGBT activist Carlos Menchaca.

"We are finally one state," Montgomery said, holding up her glass. "We are all the same."

For couples waiting to celebrate the big day, Markowitz announced that Borough Hall will be open—and staffed with a photographer—for those planning to get married on July 24, the same day the new law goes into effect.

Markowitz also announced a wedding "expo" for July 25 at Borough Hall, the "first marriage equality, gay marriage expo," which will feature a range of services catered exclusively to same-sex marriages.

"You don't have to go to Manhattan to get married," he quipped.

Brooklyn residents Sheila Frayne and Marguerite Adams are one of those couples looking to get married—and like many others, they are celebrating finally having one less obstacle to their union, and can't wait to tie the knot.

"I'm very, very proud and happy to be here tonight," Frayne said. "It's just another feather in our hat. Now we can move on and see what the next step is."

Markowitz, a strong supporter of the right of LGBT people to legally marry, drew applause and cheers from the crowd gathered to celebrate the end of a long fight. 

"Bottom line, the message – love is love," Markowitz said.