The Family Equality Council, America’s foremost advocate for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) families,  today issued a statement congratulating New Yorkers for achieving marriage equality.

On behalf of the 1 million LGBT parents raising 2 million children in our country today, I want to thank Governor Cuomo, the Senate and Assembly, and the people of New York.

New York alone is home to 7,200 of those same-sex couples and 14,000 of their children.  Those children need  the legal security afforded by marriage. They want to know that both their parents can visit them in the hospital if they’re sick; provide for them in a will; pick them up for school; register them for summer camp; apply for their passport or do any of the thousands of other things that parents do to protect and provide for their kids.

Marriage also sends a strong message to children that their parents have publicly demonstrated their love and commitment to one other and that their families are recognized and valued by society. Our children understand the most fundamental meaning of the word marriage- that marriage defines family in a way that no other word can.

Today, we join New Yorkers in celebrating their victory for marriage equality and look forward to the day when all Americans can enjoy the same rights, benefits and protections.

Jennifer Chrisler is Executive Director of the Family Equality Council.