Suit against gay marriage recognition in NY tossed

[gLing]

NEW YORK - A judge has thrown out the first direct legal challenge to the New York governor's move to recognize same-sex marriages performed in other states, calling the policy a legally allowable stand for fairness.

A decision by gay couples to wed represents "a personal expression of emotional devotion, support and interdependence and a public commitment," state Supreme Court Judge Lucy Billings wrote in a decision issued Tuesday. "With that validity, they expect equal treatment with other married couples."

Thousands of gay New Yorkers over the next few years are expected to make use of Massachusetts' recent decision to let out-of-state gay couples marry there. The Christian legal organization that brought the New York case said it would appeal, while gay-rights and civil-liberties groups hailed the ruling as strengthening legal support for same-sex couples.

In a statement, Gov. David Paterson called it "a wise and fair determination."

Same-sex couples cannot marry in New York, and the state's highest court has said only the Legislature has the authority to change that. But Paterson's counsel told state agencies in May that a recent state appellate court ruling required them to recognize gay marriages legally performed elsewhere or risk discrimination claims.

The directive prompted a lawsuit from the Alliance Defense Fund, an Arizona-based group that has repeatedly challenged attempts to extend spousal rights to gay couples in New York. Several Republican state senators had signed onto the latest suit.

Suit against gay marriage recognition in NY tossed - Yahoo! News

That's awesome! :clap
Hopefully the NY legislature will take the next step and fully legalize gay marriage.

 

[wednesday]

Fantastic !! about bloody time.

 

[Minor Axis]

It's all about fairness. You have a substantial group of people who do their part for society. While many/most of us do not agree with their lifestyle, in that it's not our choice, there is no reason why a responsible society will not give them some control over that part of their lives. :thumbup

 

[lumpenstein]

With all due respect to everybody here and also to many other people I respect in my daily life, I would really love to see the word "lifestyle" in reference to homosexuality not used! I have been arguing this point for years. "Lifestyle" as used in reference to gays is mostly a media invention , implying "choice" and mostly picked up by homophobic fundies that insist that homesexuality is a "choice" and therefore a deliberate affront to the church.

Instead of lifestyle use "orientation" or something. When one uses lifestyle one might as well say "preference".

 

[Fox Mulder]

It's all about fairness. You have a substantial group of people who do their part for society. While many/most of us do not agree with their lifestyle, in that it's not our choice, there is no reason why a responsible society will not give them some control over that part of their lives. :thumbup

It is our choice actually--that's why there is a Legislative branch and they made the choice. Until there is a Constiutional Amendment saying that marriage is a Constutional Right, a court has no business deciding this issue. While I may not agree with the Legislature's choice myself, I don't like judges making law--its extremely dangerous because they are violating the Constitution and substituting their will for the will of the people.

 

[Azmodan]

With all due respect to everybody here and also to many other people I respect in my daily life, I would really love to see the word "lifestyle" in reference to homosexuality not used! I have been arguing this point for years. "Lifestyle" as used in reference to gays is mostly a media invention , implying "choice" and mostly picked up by homophobic fundies that insist that homesexuality is a "choice" and therefore a deliberate affront to the church.

Instead of lifestyle use "orientation" or something. When one uses lifestyle one might as well say "preference".

Even if gays did CHOOSE to be gay, it should not matter eh? I mean just because Bush doesn't like it doesn't mean they should ban it. It is sad when people go to such lengths...