Bill Bratton, the former police
commissioner of New York City and police chief of Los Angeles, and
his wife, TruTV personality Rikki Klieman, have recorded a video
urging New Yorkers to support gay marriage.
“We are New Yorkers for marriage
equality,” Klieman says as she gazes on at her husband.
“I believe in law and order,”
Bratton adds in the 30-second spot. “I've spent my life working to
keep communities safe. Marriage equality under the law will make
families safer and stronger.”
The couple has previously supported the
gay community, including a 2009 appearance in the Los Angeles gay
pride parade in West Hollywood.
The ad is part of an
ongoing campaign that features prominent celebrities and politicians,
including Hollywood
couple Ethan and Ryan Hawke, Robert
F. Kennedy, Jr., and actress
Fran Drescher. The campaign, backed by the Human Rights Campaign
(HRC), the nation's largest gay rights advocate, hopes to build
momentum on the issue now, ahead of a hoped-for second attempt to
legalize the institution later this year.
Two weeks ago, two
former New York City mayors – Ed Koch and David Dinkins – joined
Michael Bloomberg, the city's current mayor, in recording videos for
the campaign.