McCord van Kempens: 'Judy Moody' Screening

Alex McCord and Simon van Kempen with their sons Francois and Johan attend the "Judy Moody and the Not Bummer Summer" screening at Museum of the Moving Image on May 21, 2011 in the Queens Borough of New York City.

Credit: Wire Image

McCord van Kempens: HomeGoods Opening

Alex McCord and Simon Van Kempen attend the grand opening celebration of HomeGoods first Manhattan location at HomeGoods on May 19, 2011 in New York City.

Credit: Zimbio

Photos by Jason Kempin/Getty Images North America

'Real Housewives of New Jersey' Premiere Party

Caroline Manzo, Jacqueline Laurita, Melissa Gorga, Kathy Wakile, and Albie Manzo joined Simon van Kempen to kick off the new season of Real Housewives of New Jersey with a premiere party at the Brownstone.

Credit: Wayne Patch (Rebecca K. Abma)

The McCord van Kempens Go For A Walk

Real Housewives of New York City star Alex McCord and her husband Simon Van Kempen take their sons Francois and Johan for a walk in New York City on May 7, 2011.

Credit: Zimbio

Photos by PacificCoastNews.com

The McCord van Kempens: "Design On A Dime"

Simon Van Kempen and Alex McCord attend 7th Annual Housing Works Design on a Dime charity shopping event at Metropolitan Pavilion on May 5, 2011 in New York City.

Credit: Wire Image

Alex McCord: Use Your Head Shop For A Cause

Alex McCord and Simon van Kempen attended the Use Your Head, Shop For A Cause benefit at 262 Mott Street on May 4, 2011 in New York City. She donated the dress she wore to Sonja's cocktail party.

Credit: Wire Image

The McCord van Kempens Want Gay Marriage

Alex McCord and Simon van Kempen are adamantly in favor of same-sex marriage, which will come up in the new season of Real Housewives of New York, particularly at a marital equality rally they appeared at along with other notables.

On the phone yesterday, the duo filled me in on their viewpoints.

Simon van Kempen: On a show like Real Housewives, we have a broad audience. We tend to stay away from issues because they're interested in us because we're crazy and wear red leather pants.

Alex McCord: They don't want us to be Sean Penn. But this is civil rights! This is a cause that we feel passionate about. The number one thing is it's not fair! My best friend from college shot a playdate with us on the show. I've been with him as his life was changed when got married in Vermont, and then again in Massachusetts when they moved there. One of the things that broke my heart is he'd gotten a dream job offer, but it was in a state he couldn't move to because his husband wouldn't have gotten health benefits and so on!

Simon: I came to the states almost 10 years ago for a three-week business trip. I met Alex. Fortunately for me, the Alex I met was Alexandra, not Alexander. I moved to the states and eventually got my U.S. citizenship. But if it was Alexander, our love would have been screwed. It's ridiculous that in 2011, there are people split up who can't live their lives because of the government!

Credit: The Village Voice (Michael Musto)

The McCord van Kempens At "Inbox Full" Party

Alex McCord and Simon Van Kempen of the Real Housewives of New York attended Cat Ommanney's 'Inbox Full' book party at Ted Gibson Salon on March 3, 2011 in New York City.

Credit: Getty Images