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Dear New Yorkers,

New York City saw a spike in marriages in the weeks following Donald Trump’s victory, driven in part by same-sex couples and those with concerns about their immigration status.

The City Clerk’s office, which oversees the Marriage Bureau, recorded 8,537 marriage license appointments made in November 2024, the month when Trump was reelected. That’s a 33% increase compared to November last year, according to data the agency shared with THE CITY.

“The appointments are going faster. It feels like the election had an impact,” City Clerk Michael McSweeney, told THE CITY.

Trump has pledged to crack down on immigration. And while same-sex marriage is enshrined in New York’s state laws, a newly emboldened U.S. Supreme Court with a conservative super-majority might overturn the 2015 Obergefell v. Hodges decision that legalized same sex-marriage nationwide.

Attorney Diana Adams told THE CITY that unmarried same-sex couples could run into problems when traveling to red states that don’t have the same protections as New York, especially couples with children.

“Having a legal connection to your child, having a legal connection to your partner is very, very helpful. And so if you were intending to get married, this is the time to get married,” Adams said.

Read more here about the Trump bump at the NYC Marriage Bureau.

Weather 🌧️

A cloudy morning, with rain beginning in the afternoon and lasting through the evening. The high is around 50 degrees.

MTA 🚇

The Wakefield-bound 2 skips multiple stops in The Bronx between 9:15 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. this week, and more. Find all the MTA’s planned changes and the latest delays here.

Alternate side parking 🚙

It’s suspended today, Dec. 9, for Immaculate Conception.

Our Other Top Stories

Nearly a year ago, the MTA promised to address break-ins and attacks on its workers with quick-fix solutions like better locks. But agency numbers reveal that in a fleet of more than 6,400 train cars, only those that run on the 1, 3 and 6 lines have upgraded locks for train operator and conductor cabs. “I can honestly say that, at this point, I am losing all faith that the MTA is willing to do anything other than make sure the trains move,” said one union representative. Fifth Avenue turned 200 years old! The milestone was celebrated with car-free streets, food trucks and a $150 million funding announcement from the mayor. Also: lots of people showed up to go shopping.

Things To Do

Here’s what’s going on around the city this week.

Saturday, Dec. 14: Take a candlelit, self-guided tour of the Van Cortlandt House Museum in The Bronx from 4 to 7 p.m. Admission is $5 for adults, $3 for children and seniors and free for kids under 12.  Friday, Dec. 13: Watch the Geminid meteor shower at an event at Seba Playground in Marine Park, Brooklyn, from 7 to 9 p.m.. Bring your own binoculars or telescope if you have them.  Friday, Dec. 13 through Sunday, Dec. 15: Check out a ceramics holiday market with work from more than 30 local artists, hosted by BrickHouse Ceramic Art Center in Long Island City. Hours vary by day.

THE KICKER: 2024 will not be going out with a bang in city parks this year. The New Year’s Eve fireworks in Central and Prospect parks are canceled to prevent brush fires because of the drought.

Thanks, as always, for reading. Make it a great Monday.

Love,

THE CITY

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