In what has been deemed a historic moment, U.S. Housing and Urban Development Secretary Shaun Donovan became the first sitting cabinet secretary to publicly support marriage equality, telling Metro Weekly he "absolutely" supports New York's decision to legalize same-sex marriage.
When asked about the June 24 approval of same-sex marriage legislation in New York, Donovan said, ''I was enormously proud to be a New Yorker on the day that it passed. So many friends that I know were able to achieve a dream the day that law passed. And so many neighbors."
After praising both Governor Andrew Cuomo and New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, Donovan admitted, "We've got more work to do in the Obama administration in a second term...like marriage equality.''
Donovan's remarks came at the National Center For Transgender Equality's awards ceremony, where he delivered a keynote speech. Among those who praised Donovan's support was Fred Sainz, vice president of the Human Rights Campaign. ''Like a growing majority of Americans, Secretary Donovan understands that all Americans should be treated equally, especially when it comes to marriage rights, and our work won't be complete until we're able to achieve those rights at the state and federal level,'' Sainz told Metro Weekly.