UPDATE: Sandy forces cancelation of marriage equality concert

UPDATE: Storm forces cancelation of Freedom to Love Now! A Concert for Marriage Equality.

New York City’s Beacon Theatre was to host the first Freedom To Love Now! A Concert for Marriage Equality on Oct. 30 but Hurricane Sandy forced a cancelation.

The concert will take place in the spring.

Performers on Oct. 30 were to include Thomas Bartlett aka Doveman, Rufus Wainwright, fun., Beth Orton, The National, Toshi Reagon, They Might Be Giants, John Cameron Mitchell with Stephen Trask, Justin Vivian Bond and others.

Bartlett recruited the musicians for the concert, which was to benefit Freedom to Marry, the nonprofit that led the campaign for the Democratic Party to include marriage equality in state and national platforms and was instrumental in lining up a coalition of elected officials to support gay marriage.

The concert, according to a press announcement, also was to celebrate President Barack Obama’s endorsement of marriage equality this year and encourage people to support the marriage equality campaigns at the state level.

“The key to winning the freedom to marry is raising our voices, opening hearts, and moving minds,” said Evan Wolfson, Freedom to Marry’s founder and president.  “Freedom to Marry  is happy to be a part of this concert and support such a diverse, talented group ofperformers who are giving their brilliance and time to this important cause.”

Singer and guitarist John  Flansburgh from They Might Be Giants said, “I can’t recall being in better company for a better cause. It is going to be a night to remember.”

fun.’s Jack Antonoff added, “We can’t wait to be a part of this amazing event with some of our favorite artists and raise money for an incredible organization that is working hard for a better America.”

Bartlett said he hoped other musicians in other areas would also organize benefits for marriage equality and includes a “how to” on the website.

On the Web…

www.freedomtolovenow.com