A bill permitting same-sex marriage was passed by the New York state legislature on June 24, 2011. The bill was signed by Governer Andrew Cuomo shortly before midnight on the 24th, and the law will take effect 30 days later.
New York becomes the sixth state where gay couples can wed and the biggest by far.
“We are leaders and we join other proud states that recognize our families and the battle will now go on in other states,” said Sen. Thomas Duane, a Democrat.
In 2006, the New York Court of Appeals ruled that there is no constitutional right to same-sex marriage in New York. However, on May 14, 2008, New York Governor David Paterson issued a directive requiring that all state agencies recognize same-sex marriages performed in other jurisdictions. In addition, the state courts have now recognized Canadian same-sex marriages for purposes of public benefits, inheritance, and divorce.
Though New York is a relative latecomer in allowing gay marriage, it is considered an important prize for advocates, given the state’s size, New York City’s international stature. The gay rights movement is considered to have started with the Stonewall riots in New York City’s Greenwich Village in 1969.
A huge street party erupted outside the Stonewall Inn Friday night, with celebrants waving rainbow flags and dancing after the historic vote. They included Sarah Ellis, who has been in a six-year relationship with her partner, Kristen Henderson, said the measure would enable them to get married in the fall. They have twin toddlers and live in Sea Cliff on Long Island.
“We’ve been waiting. We considered it for a long time, crossing the borders and going to other states,” said Ellis, 39. “But until the state that we live in, that we pay taxes in, and we’re part of that community, has equal rights and marriage equality, we were not going to do it.”
“I am spellbound. I’m so exhausted and so proud that the New York State Senate finally stood on the right side of history,” said Queens teacher Eugene Lovendusky, 26, who is gay and said he hopes to marry someday.
He then repeated a chant he had screamed during a protest at a fundraiser for President Barack Obama last night: “I am somebody. I deserve full equality.”
A number of celebrities also praised the vote. Lady Gaga tweeted that she couldn’t stop crying, while Pink tweeted, “congratulations!!!!!!!!! About time!”
“I have never be prouder to be a lifelong New Yorker than I am today with the passage of marriage equality,” Cyndi Lauper said in a statement.
The bill makes New York only the third state, after Vermont and New Hampshire, to legalize marriage through a legislative act and without being forced to do so by a court.
No comments:
Post a Comment