Cathy Marino Thomas

Cathy lives with her wife, Sheila. They have a daughter, Jacqueline. Sheila and Cathy have been together 32 years. The family lives in Queens, New York.

Cathy spent many years as a Buddy in the Gay Men's Health Crisis (GMHC) Buddy Program visiting people afflicted with HIV/AIDS and assisting them with daily chores, advocacy and information.

She worked on the issue of marriage equality since 1998. Serving as Executive Director of Marriage Equality NY for 3 years (2005 - 2008) and Board President for 6 years. After merging Marriage Equality NY with Marriage Equality USA 2011, she served as Co-President of Marriage Equality USA for 4 years, retiring in 2015. Cathy has spoken all over the country about the rights, privileges and obligations that protect families only through the right to civil marriage.

Holding a full time job as well, Cathy spent 26 years at PwC as an Executive Assistant. While there, she helped to organize a group of LGBT employees and formed a diversity circle. This circle is now part of the larger empowerment programs of the firm. Cathy served as Steering Committee member and organizer for Gays Against Guns for 4 years, connecting with like minded activists across the country on the issue of gun control. She most recently served as Board Chair of Equality New York’s 501©3. The organization works to elect representatives that will seek equality in the law.

Cathy is proud to be a board member of the Gilbert Baker Foundation as well as the Stonewall Democrats of New York.