Same-sex marriage in New York

Same-sex marriage has been legally recognized in the U.S. state of New York since July 24, 2011 under the Marriage Equality Act. The Act does not have a residency restriction, as some similar laws in other states do. It allows religious organizations to decline to officiate at same-sex wedding ceremonies.

Marriage
LGBT portal

In 2006, the New York Court of Appeals ruled that the New York State Constitution does not require same-sex marriage rights and left the question of recognition to the State Legislature. Following the 2006 court decision, the New York State Assembly passed same-sex marriage legislation in 2007, 2009, and 2011. However, the New York Senate rejected such legislation in a 38–24 vote on December 2, 2009. In June 2011, same-sex marriage legislation passed both the House and the Senate; it was signed by Governor Andrew Cuomo on June 24, 2011, and took effect on July 24, 2011.

New York became the sixth U.S. state,[lower-alpha 1] and the seventh U.S. jurisdiction (after the District of Columbia), to license same-sex marriages.

History
New Paltz Mayor Jason West at a gay rally

New Paltz marriages

On February 27, 2004, New Paltz Mayor Jason West married 25 same-sex couples before a cheering crowd in front of the New Paltz Village Hall. Not long thereafter, the Ulster County District Attorney charged West with nineteen misdemeanors in connection with these marriages.[1] A court later dismissed the charges against West, a ruling which the state appealed. Ulster County Court Judge J. Michael Bruhn ruled in favor of the state, reinstating the charges against West, arguing that this criminal case did not concern whether the State Constitution mandates same-sex marriage, but rather whether West violated his oath of office in performing illegal marriages. The May 2005 charges against West were reinstated; these were dropped by the prosecutor on July 12. After Liberty Counsel filed a civil lawsuit challenging the validity of the marriages, a state court judge issued a permanent injunction barring West from solemnizing same-sex marriages.[2][3]

On February 27, 2004, Nyack, New York, Mayor John Shields announced that he would recognize the New Paltz marriages and on March 1, 2004, Ithaca Mayor Carolyn K. Peterson declared that she would recognize same-sex marriages performed in other jurisdictions.[4]

Two days later, then-Attorney General of New York Eliot Spitzer, a supporter of same-sex marriage, issued an "informal opinion" stating that municipal clerks should not issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples since the New York State Legislature had not intended for the Domestic Relations Law to cover same-sex couples.[5]

Lawsuits

Shortly after Attorney General Spitzer's informal opinion was issued, five separate lawsuits were filed contesting the constitutionality of New York's opposite-sex definition of marriage. At the trial level, four failed and one succeeded (though it was stayed and later reversed). At the intermediate appellate level, four failed and one was not decided. The cases were all rolled into one and heard by the Court of Appeals, the state's highest court, on May 31, 2006. On July 6, 2006, the Court of Appeals in Hernandez v. Robles decided that existing New York law did not permit same-sex marriages and that there is no state constitutional right to same-sex marriage.[6]

Following the Hernandez v Robles decision, the focus of the same-sex marriage battle shifted to the executive and legislative branches of government. During his successful campaign for Governor of New York, Attorney General Spitzer said that he would push to legalize same-sex marriage if elected,[7] and he proposed legislation to that effect to the State Legislature on April 27, 2007. This legislation passed in the State Assembly on June 19, 2007, but the State Senate took no action and returned it to the Assembly.[8]

In February 2008, the Supreme Court, Appellate Division, Fourth Department ruled unanimously in Martinez v. County of Monroe that because New York legally recognizes out-of-state marriages of opposite-sex couples, it must do the same for same-sex couples.[9] On May 6, 2008, the Court of Appeals declined to hear Monroe County's appeal.[10] In November 2008, Monroe County announced that it would not pursue any further appeals of the Appellate Division's decision.[11]

Legislative activity
The moment of the Marriage Equality Act vote in balcony of the capital building in Albany, New York, the evening of July 24, 2011 photographed by Celebration Chapel of Kingston, NY.[12] People in foreground are wearing T-shirts bearing the logo of the Human Rights Campaign, one of many organizations backing the bill.

Same-sex marriage legislation passed the New York State Assembly for the first time on June 19, 2007.[13]

On March 12, 2008, Eliot Spitzer resigned from his position as Governor of New York.[14] Following Spitzer's resignation, Lieutenant Governor David Paterson was sworn in as the 55th Governor of New York on March 17, 2008 by New York Chief Judge Judith Kaye. On April 9, 2008, Paterson pledged that he would continue to push for same-sex marriage legislation. He said he was "proud to have run on a ticket with now-former Governor Eliot Spitzer that was the first in the country to advocate for marriage equality and to win on that premise." "We will push on and bring full marriage equality in New York State", Paterson said.[15]

On November 4, 2008, the Democratic Party gained a majority in the New York State Senate.[16] Following the elections, three dissenting Senate Democrats declined to assure Senate Democratic leader Malcolm Smith that they would vote for him as Senate majority leader when the Senate convened in January 2009.[17] In December 2008, an agreement was allegedly reached between Senator Smith and the so-called "Gang of Three"; reports indicated that as part of the deal, Senator Smith agreed not to bring same-sex marriage legislation to a floor vote in the Senate during the 2009–2010 legislative session.[18] However, on December 10, 2008, Senator Smith announced that the alleged agreement with three Democratic dissidents had been abandoned, and confirmed that he would not pledge to hold off on a same-sex marriage bill in the upcoming session.[19] Senator Smith's decision placed control of the Senate by the Democratic Party in doubt, thus jeopardizing the passage of same-sex marriage legislation (since the Senate Republican leadership was opposed to same-sex marriage).[20] After reaching an agreement with three Democratic dissidents, Malcolm Smith was voted Senate Majority Leader on January 7, 2009.[21]

A bill to legalize same-sex marriage passed the New York State Assembly a second time in 2009.[22] Later in 2009, Senator Thomas Duane (D-Manhattan) claimed that he had lined up support from a sufficient number of senators to pass same-sex marriage legislation,[23] though opponents disagreed.[24] Senator Malcolm Smith stated he would not put the bill to a vote until he was sure it would pass.[25]

While same-sex marriage advocates declared that same-sex marriage would pass the Senate by the end of June 2009,[26] the bill was not debated and voted upon until December of that year. On December 2, 2009, same-sex marriage legislation was defeated on the floor of the New York State Senate by a vote of 24 to 38;[27] no Republican voted yes, eight Democrats voted no.[28][29] The Daily News described the defeat as a "major blow", while The New York Times stated that the defeat "all but ensures that the issue is dead in New York until at least 2011, when a new legislature will be installed."[28][29] Elected officials and observers opined that the results of a 2009 special election in New York's 23rd Congressional District — in which a Republican candidate who had voted for same-sex marriage withdrew her candidacy in the face of a challenge from a Conservative Party candidate — affected the marriage vote in the Senate.[30][31][32]

In late 2010, before the January 2011 expiration of his term as governor, David Paterson reached out to members of the New York State Senate in an attempt to gauge support for the passage of same-sex marriage legislation during a lame-duck session of the Legislature; however, the Governor came to the conclusion that passage of the bill during the lame-duck session was not feasible.[33] When asked what would have to occur in order for same-sex marriage to be legalized in New York, Governor Paterson responded, "Get rid of the lobbyists", and added that same-sex marriage advocates had forced a Senate floor vote prematurely in December 2009.[33]

Marriage Equality Act
Main article: Marriage Equality Act (New York)

On June 15, 2011, the New York State Assembly passed the Marriage Equality Act, a bill to legalize same-sex marriage in New York, by a margin of 80 to 63; this was a smaller margin of victory than three same-sex marriage bills had attained in the Assembly in prior years.[34] In the Republican-controlled Senate, three Democrats and two Republicans who had voted against the 2009 bill indicated that their positions had changed and that they would support the legislation. The Senate passed the bill on June 24 by a 33–29 vote, with 29 Democrats and four Republicans voting in favor of it.[35] The Gotham Gazette reported that the Senate rules were changed by the Democratic conference to prevent Democrat Ruben Diaz, Sr., an opponent of same-sex marriage, from moving to lay the bill aside for debate; the rules were changed again during the vote to ensure it would conclude in time to make the 11 pm EDT newscasts.[36] Furthermore, Senator Kevin Parker alleged that on the evening of June 24, the doors to the Senate chamber were locked to prevent senators from leaving the chamber when the bill was voted upon.[36]

Governor Andrew Cuomo signed the Marriage Equality Act into law on June 24, 2011.[37][38] The definition of marriage in the state of New York was amended, and the following language was added to New York's marriage statute:[39]

A marriage that is otherwise valid shall be valid regardless of whether the parties to the marriage are of the same or different sex.

The law took effect on July 24, 2011.[37] The Marriage Equality Act does not contain a residency restriction, as some other states do; also, it allows religious organizations to decline to officiate at same-sex wedding ceremonies.[35]

Reactions
Main article: Response to the Marriage Equality Act
Participants at the NYC Pride March celebrating the legalization of same-sex marriage, with signs reading "Thank you Governor Cuomo".

The bill's passage was celebrated by gay rights supporters both in New York and nationwide. The New York Times responded with an editorial backing the law saying, "New York State has made a powerful and principled choice."[40] Gay pride parades in celebration were held across the United States.[41] Gay rights supporters expressed a belief that the legalization in New York would lead to legalization elsewhere.[42]

The National Organization for Marriage pledged to spend $2 million in the 2012 elections to defeat the four Republicans and three Democrats who previously stated opposition to same-sex marriage but voted for the bill.[43] The Conservative Party of New York said it would withdraw support for any candidate who voted for the bill.[44][45] In addition to action from opponents in New York, the New York Times reported that the bill's passage spurred renewed activism from opponents in various places across the country.[44]

On July 12, 2011, the Town Clerk of Barker, New York, Laura Fotusky, resigned her position because she objected to same-sex marriage and thus would not sign marriage certificates for same-sex couples.[46][47] Her resignation came two weeks after another town clerk, from Volney, said she also objected to signing certificates but would not leave her position, saying a deputy clerk would have to do it.[48] The organization New Yorkers for Constitutional Freedoms said it would match the $25,000 salary Fotusky surrendered when she resigned.[49] Granby Town Clerk Ruth Sheldon did the same a few days later.[50] Ledyard Town Clerk Rose Marie Belforti made state and national headlines when she notified the town of Ledyard that she would not sign marriage certificates for same-sex couples due to her religious beliefs. Belforti later delegated marriage applications to a deputy. Same-sex marriage advocates and some town residents criticized Belforti for taking this action, and resident Ed Easter attempted to unseat her in the fall of 2011. Belforti was re-elected by a substantial margin.[51]

On July 25, 2011, New Yorkers for Constitutional Freedoms, represented by Liberty Counsel, filed a lawsuit in the New York Supreme Court seeking an injunction against the Marriage Equality Act, alleging corruption and violations of the law in the process of passing the bill.[52] On November 18, 2011, acting Supreme Court Justice Robert B. Wiggins ruled that the plaintiffs' case could proceed.[53] Justice Wiggins allowed the plaintiffs' claims under the Open Meetings Law, but dismissed other portions of the case. Justice Wiggins' opinion included the following: "It is ironic that much of the state's brief passionately spews sanctimonious verbiage on the separation of powers in the governmental branches, and clear arm-twisting by the Executive on the Legislative permeates this entire process."[53] On July 6, 2012, a five-judge panel of the Appellate Division ruled unanimously that no violation of the Open Meetings Law had occurred and dismissed the suit.[54] On August 6, 2012, Liberty Counsel appealed to the New York Court of Appeals,[55] which declined to hear the appeal on October 23.[56]

Four Republican state senators−James Alesi, Mark Grisanti, Roy McDonald, and Stephen Saland−voted in favor of same-sex marriage. Of the four, only one−Mark Grisanti−was re-elected to the State Senate in 2012.[57] On May 9, 2012, Alesi announced that he would not run for re-election and indicated that his vote on same-sex marriage would have "severely hampered" his chances in a Republican primary.[58] Grisanti, McDonald, and Saland faced primary challenges in 2012. Grisanti won his primary by a large margin and got re-elected,[59][60] but was defeated in 2014.[61] McDonald lost the Republican primary to Saratoga County Clerk Kathleen Marchione,[62][63] who went on to win the general election.[64] Saland defeated primary challenger Neil Di Carlo by 107 votes,[65] but lost the general election to Democrat Terry Gipson by a margin of approximately 2,000 votes.[66] Di Carlo appeared on the Conservative Party line, receiving approximately 15,000 votes.[66] Grisanti was defeated by Democrat Marc Panepinto in the 2014 elections.[67]

In 2011, after the legalization of same-sex marriage in New York, the Research Library at the Buffalo History Museum became the first known library in the United States to collect wedding memorabilia from legally-wed same-sex couples.[68]

Recognition of out-of-state same-sex marriages

Prior to the passage of same-sex marriage legislation, there was litigation in New York courts regarding the recognition of same-sex marriage licenses from other jurisdictions.

In October 2004, State Comptroller Alan Hevesi indicated that the state's retirement system would recognize same-sex marriages performed outside New York State for purposes of state retirement and pension benefits. Not long thereafter, New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg stated that he would ask that the city's five pension systems recognize domestic partnerships, civil unions, and same-sex marriages of city employees performed in other jurisdictions (such as Massachusetts, Canada, Iowa, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Vermont, Oregon, Maine, Hawaii, Colorado, Nevada, Wisconsin, Connecticut, California, the District of Columbia and Washington).

In February 2008, the Appellate Division, Fourth Department ruled that a same-sex marriage performed in Canada should be recognized in New York. In Martinez v. County of Monroe,[9] the court reasoned that because out-of-state opposite-sex marriages that would not have been legal in New York nonetheless are recognized unless such recognition would violate the public policy of the state, out-of-state same-sex marriages must be similarly recognized. The Appellate Division reversed a trial judge's ruling in 2006 that Monroe Community College did not have to extend health benefits to an employee's same-sex spouse. Monroe County subsequently announced its intention to move for leave to appeal the decision to the Court of Appeals, New York State's highest court. However, the Court of Appeals refused to hear the case on May 6, 2008, allowing the lower court's ruling to stand. In November 2008, Monroe County announced that it would not pursue any further appeals of the Appellate Division's decision.[11]

On May 29, 2008, Governor David Paterson directed all New York State agencies to begin to revise their policies and regulations to recognize same-sex marriages performed in other jurisdictions. Governor Paterson's directive cited the Appellate Division decision in the Martinez case, as well as several lower court rulings.[9] As a result of the Governor's directive, New York became the first state that did not allow same-sex marriages, but whose state agencies recognized same-sex marriages performed elsewhere. In addition, same-sex couples in New York had the option to travel to states where same-sex marriage was possible to get married and have their marriages fully recognized by New York State agencies.

Governor Paterson's directive was challenged as both premature and unconstitutional in an Article 78 proceeding filed on June 3, 2008, against Governor Paterson by the Alliance Defense Fund on behalf of several state legislators and conservative leaders; this lawsuit failed at all levels. On September 2, 2008, Justice Lucy A. Billings, of the State Supreme Court in the Bronx, issued a decision that Governor Paterson acted within his powers when he required state agencies to recognize same-sex marriages from outside the state. Justice Billings found that the Governor's order was consistent with state laws on the recognition of marriages from other jurisdictions.[69] The Court of Appeals agreed to hear this and another case on same-sex marriage recognition in 2009.[70] The Court decided these cases on narrow grounds, finding that the state acted within its authority without reaching the issue of marriage recognition; however, a three-justice minority would have ruled more broadly in support of marriage recognition.[71][72]

Economic impact

The New York City Comptroller's office issued an updated economic analysis in May 2009 finding that New York State's economy could gain $210 million in the three years immediately following the legalization of marriage for same-sex couples.[73]

According to Mayor Michael Bloomberg, City Council Speaker Christine Quinn, NYC & Company CEO George Fertitta and New York City Clerk Michael McSweeney, "same sex-marriages in New York City have generated an estimated $259 million in economic impact and $16 million in City revenues" in the first year after the enactment of the Marriage Equality Act.[74]

Marriage statistics
Percentage of same-sex marriages in New York's counties (excluding New York City) in 2017
  5.02%–6.10%
  4.05%–4.98%
  2.04%–3.90%
  1.28%–1.79%

From July 2011 to December 2012, approximately 12,285 same-sex marriages were celebrated in the state of New York.[75]

The New York State Department of Health has recorded the number of same-sex marriages performed in New York State (excluding New York City) since 2012, as shown in the table below. The counties of Erie, Suffolk and Westchester registered the most same-sex marriages.[76]

Number of marriages performed in New York (excluding New York City)
Year Same-sex Opposite-sex Unspecified % same-sex
Female Male Total
20121,7921,0042,79649,8277,7714.63%
20132,3541,6774,03150,6885,3346.71%
20141,9261,2673,19353,3184,7675.21%
20151,2238212,05453,6974,5783.40%
20161,2298272,05654,7044,4163.36%
20171,0977331,83053,1824,3443.08%

Public opinion

An April 2009 Siena poll of likely New York voters indicated that 53% of voters supported same-sex marriage and 39% opposed it.[77] The April poll showed that registered Democrats supported same-sex marriage by a 59% to 35% margin, while registered Republicans opposed it by virtually the same margin, 59% to 31%. A SurveyUSA poll from the same time period showed 49% of New Yorkers as supporting same-sex marriage with 44% opposed.[78] However, a May 26 Siena poll indicated an even, 46%–46% split on the issue.[79]

According to a Quinnipiac University poll released on May 14, 2009, New York voters were evenly split—46% to 46%—on same-sex marriage.[80] The May 14 poll showed that same-sex marriage was opposed by majorities of African-Americans (57%–35%), Republicans (68%–24%), white Catholics (53%–39%), and white Protestants (55%–38%).[80] However, a Quinnipiac poll dated June 23, 2009 showed that New York State voters support same-sex marriage 51-41 percent, with eight percent undecided.[81][82] According to the June 23 poll, the proposal wins 52–42 percent support from white voters and 55–39 percent from Hispanics. African-American voters polled 43% in favor and 42% opposed.

In 2010, The New York Times estimated support for same-sex marriage in New York at 58%, based on projections from 2008 and a nationwide CNN poll in August 2010.[83]

An April 2011 Siena College survey found that 58% of New York voters supported the legalization of same-sex marriage, while 36% were opposed and 6% did not know or had no opinion. A similar poll in May 2011 found that 55% supported legalization, 42% opposed it, and 5% didn't know or had no opinion. The June 2011 poll showed a 55%/50%/5% split.[84]

Following the passage of the Marriage Equality Act, a Marist Poll reported that 55% of New York adults supported the legalization of same-sex marriage and 63% did not want the law overturned.[85]

A December 2012 Quinnipiac University poll showed that New Yorkers widely favored same sex marriage. 60% favored same sex marriage, while 33% were opposed. 7% were unsure.[86]

A December 2013 Public Religion Research Institute survey found that 60% of New York residents supported same-sex marriage, while 32% opposed it, and 9% didn't know or refused to answer.[87]

A March 2014 Roanoke/Rutgers-Eagleton/Siena College study found that 65% of New York residents favored same-sex marriage, while 32% opposed. 3% were unsure.[88]

A 2016 Public Religion Research Institute (PRRI) poll found a 66% majority in favor of same-sex marriage. 25% were opposed and 9% were unsure or undecided.[89] In 2017, the PRRI found that 69% of New Yorkers supported same-sex marriage, while 24% were opposed and 7% were undecided.[90]

Timeline
  • February 26, 2004: Jason West, mayor of the village of New Paltz, announces that the village would start performing same-sex civil weddings. Although the village would not attempt to issue licenses for such weddings, couples in New York State have six months from the wedding to seek such a license, and weddings are not invalid solely for not having a license.
  • February 27, 2004: John Shields, the Mayor of Nyack, New York, announces that his village would recognize same-sex marriages performed elsewhere.
  • March 2, 2004: West is charged with 19 misdemeanor counts of "solemnizing marriages without a license" by Ulster County District Attorney Donald Williams. West announces that he intends to continue performing same-sex marriage ceremonies.
  • March 3, 2004: Shields announces that he will begin officiating at same-sex marriages, and that he and his fiancé would join other gay and lesbian New Yorkers in seeking marriage licenses from municipal clerks' offices.
  • March 3, 2004: The Office of New York Attorney General Eliot Spitzer issues an "informal opinion" that clerks should not issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples as the State Legislature had not intended same-sex marriages to be covered by the Domestic Relations Law.[91] The same opinion states that same-sex marriages performed elsewhere were recognizable in New York State under a recent judicial decision recognizing the validity of a Vermont civil union as granting the benefits of marriage, Langan v. St. Vincent's Hospital (later overturned).
  • March 5, 2004: New York State Judge Vincent Bradley issues a temporary restraining order barring West from performing any such ceremonies for a month. West indicates that he will abide by the judicial order while evaluating his legal options.
  • March 22, 2004: Following an opinion requested in January from their attorney, the Rochester City Council announces that Rochester will recognize same-sex marriages performed elsewhere. Rochester is across Lake Ontario from Toronto, where same-sex marriages have been legal since 2003.
  • October 8, 2004: The state comptroller, Alan G. Hevesi, indicated in a letter to a state employee that the state retirement system will recognize same-sex marriages contracted elsewhere for the purposes of retirement benefits for New York state employees.
  • February 4, 2005: State Supreme Court Justice Doris Ling-Cohan rules that New York City could not deny marriage licenses to same-sex couples, based on the Equal Protection Clause of the New York Constitution. The order was stayed for 30 days, pending an appeal. (The Supreme Court is a trial-level court in New York, and the decision could be appealed either to the Appellate Division or directly to the Court of Appeals.)
  • December 8, 2005: The Appellate Division of the New York Supreme Court overturns Ling-Cohan's decision.[92]
  • July 6, 2006: The Court of Appeals in its Hernández v. Robles decision declines to judicially mandate the legalization of same-sex marriage in New York. The Court's ruling stated that same-sex partners did not have the right to marry under the New York Constitution.[93]
  • May 2007 : A Massachusetts trial court judge rules that marriage licenses obtained by New York same-sex couples prior to the Hernandez v. Robles decision are valid under Massachusetts law. As a result, these couples' marriages are also valid under New York State law.[94]
  • June 19, 2007: The Democrat-controlled New York State Assembly approves Governor Spitzer's bill to legalize same-sex marriage in New York, in an 85–61 vote.[95] The bill moves to the Republican-controlled Senate; Majority Leader Joseph L. Bruno said it would not be voted upon in that chamber this year.
  • January 9, 2008: Governor Spitzer's bill to legalize same-sex marriage dies in the New York State Senate and is returned to the New York State Assembly.[95]
  • February 1, 2008: In Martinez v. County of Monroe,[9] the Appellate Division, Fourth Department rules that a same-sex marriage in Canada should be recognized in New York, because out-of-state opposite-sex marriages that would not have been legal in New York nonetheless are recognized unless such recognition would violate the public policy of the state. The Appellate Division holds that the same treatment must be applied to out-of-state same-sex marriages, but the ruling could be overturned on a finding that same-sex marriage violates New York's public policy. The decision reverses a trial judge's 2006 ruling that Monroe Community College did not have to extend health benefits to an employee's same-sex spouse.
  • March 12, 2008: Eliot Spitzer resigns his position as Governor of New York.[14]
  • March 17, 2008: Following Spitzer's resignation, David Alexander Paterson (then Lieutenant Governor of New York) is sworn in as the 55th Governor of New York at the New York State Capitol by New York Chief Judge Judith Kaye.
  • April 2008: Governor David Alexander Paterson pledges in a speech that he will continue to push for full marriage equality for LGBT New Yorkers.
  • May 29, 2008: It is widely reported on this day that Governor David A. Paterson directed all state agencies to begin to revise their policies and regulations to recognize same-sex marriages performed in other jurisdictions. "In a directive issued on May 14, the governor's legal counsel, David Nocenti, instructed the agencies that gay couples married elsewhere 'should be afforded the same recognition as any other legally performed union.'"[96][97] Opponents of same-sex marriage raise the possibility of a legal challenge.[98]
  • June 3, 2008: Governor Paterson's directive is challenged as both premature and unconstitutional in an Article 78 proceeding filed by the Alliance Defense Fund on behalf of several state legislators and conservative leaders in New York.
  • September 2, 2008: The Alliance Defense Fund suit is dismissed in State Supreme Court in the Bronx, with a finding that Governor Patterson acted within his powers when he required state agencies to recognize same-sex marriages from outside NY State.[69]
  • September 8, 2008: The Alliance Defense Fund appeals Judge Billings' decision.[99]
  • November 4, 2008: On Election Day, the Democratic Party gains a majority in the New York State Senate.
  • November 22, 2008: Monroe County announces that it will not pursue any further appeals of the Appellate Division's decision.[100]
  • December 2008: A deal is made among certain Democratic senators that would ensure the election of Malcolm Smith as Senate president pro tempore, making him the chamber's leader; reports indicate that as part of the deal, Senator Smith agreed not to bring same-sex marriage legislation to a floor vote in the Senate during the 2009–2010 legislative session.[18][101]
  • December 10, 2008: Malcolm Smith breaks off his alleged agreement with three Democratic dissidents and confirms that he will not pledge to hold off on a same-sex marriage bill in the upcoming session. Senator Smith states that "real reform cannot and should not ever include limiting the civil rights of any New Yorkers."[19] This places control of the Senate by the Democratic Party in doubt, despite its slight numerical majority.[20]
  • January 7, 2009: After reaching an agreement with three Democratic dissidents, Malcolm Smith is voted Senate Majority Leader.[102]
  • April 16, 2009: Governor Paterson officially introduces same-sex marriage legislation and vows to push for its passage.[103]
  • May 12, 2009: The New York State Assembly passes same-sex marriage legislation in a bipartisan vote of 89–52.[104][105]
  • November 19, 2009: The New York Court of Appeals rules in Godfrey v. Spano that Westchester County could lawfully extend government benefits to same-sex couples in out-of-state marriages. Whether New York same-sex couples will be permitted to marry in their own home state lies in the hands of the New York State Senate. This decision provides New York couples with the peace of mind of knowing that their valid out-of-state marriages will be respected in New York.[106]
  • December 2, 2009: The New York State Assembly again passes the same-sex marriage bill by a vote of 88–51,[107] but the state Senate votes it down, 38-24.[108]
  • May 10, 2011: Assemblyman Daniel O'Donnell introduces a same-sex marriage bill in the Assembly.[109]
  • June 15, 2011: The New York State Assembly passes the same-sex marriage bill for the fourth time, by a vote of 80–63.[110]
  • June 24, 2011: The New York Senate passes the same-sex marriage bill in a 33 to 29 vote. Governor Andrew Cuomo signs the bill, which takes effect in 30 days.[35]
  • July 24, 2011: The Marriage Equality Act goes into effect. Kitty Lambert and Cheryle Rudd of Buffalo are wed in Niagara Falls at midnight, becoming the first couple in the state to benefit from the newly enacted law. Niagara Falls is lit in rainbow for the first time for the occasion.[111]

Timeline of civil suits for same-sex marriage

Several court cases pertaining to the recognition and licensing of same-sex marriages in New York have been filed over the years.

Hernández case
  • March 5, 2004: Five same-sex couples, backed by Lambda Legal, file suit challenging the constitutionality of limiting marriage to only opposite-sex couples. The complaint relied on both equal protection and due process claims.
  • February 4, 2005: New York County Supreme Court Judge Doris Ling-Cohan issues an opinion in Hernández v. Robles ruling that the New York State Constitution guaranteed basic rights to gays and lesbians, which the state violates when it prevents them from marrying. Ling-Cohan stayed her ruling for a 30-day period, giving the state time to appeal.[112]
  • September 13, 2005: Oral arguments are heard by the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court, First Judicial Department.
  • December 8, 2005: The Appellate Division reverses the trial court with one dissent in a 4–1 decision that said the issue should be handled by the Legislature.[112]
  • May 31, 2006: After the couples filed an appeal, oral arguments are heard by the New York State Court of Appeals (New York's highest court).
  • July 6, 2006: The Court of Appeals issues a 4–2 decision upholding New York's existing marriage statutes and declining to mandate the legalization of same-sex marriage in New York. The Court's ruling states that same-sex partners do not have the right to marry each other under the New York Constitution. It rejects the plaintiffs' attempt to use the U.S. Supreme Court's ruling in Loving v. Virginia (1967) as precedent because "a long and shameful history of racism lay behind the kind of statute invalidated in Loving" while "the traditional definition of marriage is not merely a by-product of historical injustice".[113]

Shields case
  • March 11, 2004: Ten same-sex couples file suit to obtain an order requiring their town clerk to issue them marriage licenses and the Department of Health to recognize them. If the statutory argument fails, the suit challenges the constitutionality of the Domestic Relations Law. John Shields, Mayor of Nyack, New York, was one of the parties to the suit.
  • October 18, 2004: Rockland County Supreme Court Judge Alfred J. Weiner issues an opinion in Shields v. Madigan rejecting the statutory interpretation and constitutional challenges for same-sex marriage. The Domestic Relations Law was determined to allow only opposite-sex marriages, and equal protection and due process claims were both denied.[114]
  • March 28, 2006: Oral arguments are heard by the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court, Second Judicial Department.
  • July 6, 2006: The Court of Appeals issues a 4–2 decision in the four other marriage cases. This case is now effectively moot.

Samuels case
  • April 7, 2004: Thirteen same-sex couples, backed by the American Civil Liberties Union, file suit to have the state's marriage laws declared unconstitutional. Daniel O'Donnell, New York State Assemblyman (and brother of celebrity Rosie O'Donnell), is one of the parties to the suit.
  • December 7, 2004: Albany County Supreme Court Judge Joseph C. Teresi issues an opinion in Samuels v. New York State Department of Health rejecting the four constitutional claims for same-sex marriage. Equal protection based on sexual orientation, equal protection based on gender, due process, and free speech were all argued to be violated by New York's Domestic Relations Law, but none was found to have merit.[115]
  • October 17, 2005: Oral arguments are heard by the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court, Third Judicial Department.
  • February 16, 2006: The Appellate Division affirms the trial court in a 5–0 decision that consolidated all three cases (Samuels, Seymour, and Kane; see below) on appeal in its jurisdiction.[116]
  • May 31, 2006: Oral arguments are heard by the New York State Court of Appeals.
  • July 6, 2006: The Court of Appeals issues a 4–2 decision upholding New York's existing marriage statutes and declining to judicially mandate the legalization of same-sex marriage in New York. The Court's ruling states that same-sex partners do not have the right to marry each other under the New York Constitution.

Seymour case
  • June 2, 2004: Twenty-five same-sex couples, backed by the city of Ithaca, file suit to have the Domestic Relations Law include same-sex marriage. If the law is determined not to apply to same-sex couples, the suit challenges the prohibition on a constitutional basis.
  • February 23, 2005: Tompkins County Supreme Court Judge Robert C. Mulvey issues an opinion in Seymour v. Holcomb rejecting Ithaca's standing to sue, the statutory claim, and the constitutional claims based on equal protection, due process, and free expression.[117]
  • October 17, 2005: Oral arguments are heard by the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court, Third Judicial Department.
  • February 16, 2006: The Appellate Division affirms the trial court in a 5–0 decision that consolidated all three cases (Samuels, Seymour, and Kane) on appeal in its jurisdiction.[118]
  • May 31, 2006: Oral arguments are heard by the New York State Court of Appeals.
  • July 6, 2006: The Court of Appeals issues a 4–2 decision upholding New York's existing marriage statutes and declining to judicially mandate the legalization of same-sex marriage in New York. The Court's ruling states that same-sex partners do not have the right to marry each other under the New York Constitution.

Kane case
  • June 16, 2004: Two same-sex couples file suit to obtain marriage licenses that would make official their marriage ceremonies from three months earlier. The ceremonies were held by a Unitarian Universalist minister on March 27, 2004.
  • January 31, 2005: Albany County Supreme Court Judge E. Michael Kavanagh issues an opinion in Kane v. Marsolais rejecting both statutory and constitutional claims. The opinion also rejected the notion that their marriages were valid because of a section of the Domestic Relations Law that recognized marriages solemnized by ceremonies even if the couple failed to obtain a license. This section of the law was held only to apply to those who were legally qualified to be married.[119]
  • October 17, 2005: Oral arguments are heard by the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court, Third Judicial Department.
  • February 16, 2006: The Appellate Division affirms the trial court in a 5–0 decision that consolidated all three cases (Samuels, Seymour, and Kane) on appeal in its jurisdiction.[120]
  • May 31, 2006: Oral arguments are heard by the New York State Court of Appeals.
  • July 6, 2006: The Court of Appeals issues a 4–2 decision upholding New York's existing marriage statutes and declining to judicially mandate the legalization of same-sex marriage in New York. The Court's ruling states that same-sex partners do not have the right to marry each other under the New York Constitution.

Legislative history
Session Bill number(s) Date introduced Sponsor(s) # of cosponsors Latest status
2009–2010 S04401 April 16, 2009 Sen. Thomas Duane (D-New York) 18 Failed in the Senate (38–24)
A07732 April 16, 2009 Assemb. Daniel O'Donnell (D-New York) 55 Passed the Assembly (89–52)
2011–2012 A08354 June 14, 2011 Assemb. Daniel O'Donnell (D-New York) 67 Passed the Assembly (80–63)[121]

Passed the Senate (33–29)[35]
Signed by Governor Andrew Cuomo[35][122]

gollark: Oh, and the iconization system contains a minor shortcut I'm slightly unhappy about.
gollark: The frontend ignores most errors and just entirely freezes.
gollark: The renderer leans heavily on Python's duck typing and randomly adds attributes it needs to things.
gollark: There are basically no comments.
gollark: The API is a thin layer over the database which has to accursedly convert things to ints or strings all the time because my IDs are 64-bit integers and JS only allows 53 bit ones because of course it does.

See also

Notes
  1. After Massachusetts, Connecticut, Iowa, Vermont, and New Hampshire

References
  1. Kolker, Robert (March 8, 2004). "The Marrying Kind". New York Magazine. Retrieved September 20, 2008.
  2. "Liberty Counsel press release: Judge Issues Permanent Injunction Against New Paltz Mayor Jason West Ordering Him to Stop Illegally Solemnizing Same-Sex Unions". June 7, 2004. Archived from the original on September 7, 2012. Retrieved July 20, 2008.
  3. Jesse M. Smith (February 27, 2005). "Year after New Paltz weddings, the honeymoon is over". DailyFreeman.com. Daily Freeman. Retrieved September 23, 2008.
  4. Crampton, Thomas; Michelle York (March 2, 2004). "Hoping Courts Will Address Same-Sex Marriage, Ithaca Begins Accepting Licenses". The New York Times. Retrieved October 17, 2008.
  5. "N.Y. attorney general urges halt to same-sex marriages". CNN. March 3, 2004. Retrieved September 25, 2012.
  6. "Hernandez v Robles (2006 NY Slip Op 05239)". Retrieved August 14, 2008.
  7. Hakim, Danny (October 7, 2006). "Spitzer Vows to Push for Gay Marriage". The New York Times. Retrieved July 20, 2008.
  8. "Assembly Bill 8590".
  9. Martinez v. County of Monroe et al. (Seeking recognition in New York for valid same-sex marriages performed outside the state)
  10. "NY High Court Refuses Gay Marriage Case". May 6, 2008. Archived from the original on June 9, 2008. Retrieved July 20, 2008.
  11. "Monroe County ends same-sex marriage challenge". Rochester Democrat and Chronicle. DemocratAndChronicle.com. November 22, 2008. Retrieved December 7, 2013.
  12. "KEEPING HIS VOW: Man invites same-sex couples to wed at his Kingston chapel". DailyFreeman.com. Retrieved December 5, 2011.
  13. "New York Assembly passes gay marriage | News Story on". 365gay.com. Retrieved June 27, 2011.
  14. Governor Andrew M. Cuomo Archived April 14, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
  15. "Marriage Equality coming if Governor Paterson has his way". Rochester Turning. April 10, 2008. Retrieved May 17, 2012.
  16. Gormley, Michael. "Democrats Take Control of New York Senate". NBC New York. Retrieved June 27, 2011.
  17. Scott, Brendan (November 13, 2008). "Gop Boss: We've Still Got Senate". New York Post.
  18. Confessore, Nicholas (December 4, 2008). "3 Senate Democrats End Holdout in Return for Power Sharing". The New York Times. Retrieved December 7, 2008.
  19. Hakim, Danny (December 10, 2008). "Senate Accord Falls Apart, Putting Leadership in Question Again". The New York Times. Retrieved December 12, 2008.
  20. James Vielkind (December 10, 2008). "Smith Suspends Negotiations, Prepares for Life in the Minority if Necessary". The New York Observer. Retrieved May 17, 2012.
  21. "New York takes a bow for same-sex marriage". Capitol Confidential. Retrieved April 3, 2016.
  22. Peters, Jeremy W. (May 13, 2009). "N.Y. Assembly Passes Gay Marriage Bill". The New York Times. Retrieved May 23, 2010.
  23. Blain, Glenn (June 1, 2009). "Gay marriage will pass state Senate, says Manhattan Sen. Thomas Duane". Daily News. New York.
  24. John Del Signore (June 3, 2009). "State Senate Survey Suggests Gay Marriage Bill Won't Pass". Gothamist. Archived from the original on January 18, 2012. Retrieved June 27, 2011.
  25. Melloy, Kilian (June 5, 2009). "Marriage Equality Debate Reaches Boiling Point in New York State". EDGE Boston. Retrieved June 9, 2009.
  26. "Governor pushes same sex marriage debate to front burner". Downtownexpress.com. Retrieved June 27, 2011.
  27. Dwyer Arce (December 2, 2009). "New York Senate rejects same-sex marriage legislation". JURIST — Paper Chase.
  28. Benjamin, Elizabeth (December 2, 2009). "Gay Marriage Fails, 24–38". Daily News. Archived from the original on August 7, 2011. Retrieved December 2, 2009.
  29. Peters, Jeremy W. (December 2, 2009). "New York State Senate Votes Down Gay Marriage Bill". The New York Times.
  30. Tom Precious (December 3, 2009). "Gay marriage not likely to come to Senate again soon". Archived from the original on December 7, 2009. Retrieved May 17, 2012.
  31. Vick, Karl (December 3, 2009). "N.Y. State Senate votes down gay marriage bill by wide margin". The Washington Post. Retrieved May 20, 2010.
  32. Hakim, Danny (November 6, 2009). "Marriage for Gays on Agenda in New York". The New York Times. Retrieved May 20, 2010.
  33. Kaplan, Thomas (December 1, 2010). "Paterson Gives Up Push to Legalize Gay Marriage". The New York Times.
  34. Lovett, Kenneth (June 15, 2011). "New York Assembly passes bill to legalize gay marriage 80-63; Legislation now heads to Senate". Daily News. New York.
  35. Confessore, Nicholas; Barbaro, Michael (June 24, 2011). "New York Allows Same-Sex Marriage, Becoming Largest State to Pass Law". The New York Times. Retrieved June 25, 2011.
  36. "Why Sen. Kevin Parker Got Mad". Gothamgazette.com. June 25, 2011. Retrieved December 5, 2011.
  37. After Long Wait, Same-Sex Couples Marry in New York
  38. At Clerks’ Offices, Girding for More Weddings
  39. New York Domestic Relations - Article 3 - § 10-A Parties to a Marriage
  40. "Gay Marriage: A Milestone". New York Times. June 26, 2011. Retrieved June 27, 2011.
  41. "Gay marriage advocates celebrate from coast to coast". Mercury News. Retrieved June 27, 2011.
  42. "Gay marriage backers hope for national boost from New York". Politico. Retrieved June 27, 2011.
  43. "Nompacny.Org". Nationformarriage.org. Retrieved December 5, 2011.
  44. New York’s Approval of Same-Sex Marriage Spurs Opponents for New Fights
  45. Nahimas, Laura (June 29, 2011). "Will voting for gay marriage help or hurt Republican senators". The Capitol. Archived from the original on July 6, 2011. Retrieved May 17, 2012.
  46. "Southern Tier town clerk quits, cites her opposition to gay marriage". The Post-Standard. Associated Press. July 12, 2011. Retrieved May 17, 2012.
  47. "N.Y. town clerk resigns before same-sex marriage law goes into effect". CNN. July 13, 2011. Retrieved December 5, 2011.
  48. "Volney, NY Clerk Doesn't Want To Sign Gay Marriage Licenses, Saying It's Against Her Morals". Daily News. New York. June 29, 2011. Retrieved December 5, 2011.
  49. Hamilton, Alec. "Cuomo: Clerks Against Same-Sex Marriage "Don't Get to Pick and Choose"". Wnyc.org. Archived from the original on January 22, 2012. Retrieved December 5, 2011.
  50.  . "Granby appoints new town clerk after Sheldon resigns over same-sex marriage licenses". Centralny.ynn.com. Retrieved December 5, 2011.CS1 maint: extra punctuation (link)
  51. "Tragedy, tension, turmoil: Biggest stories of 2011". The Citizen (Auburn). December 25, 2011. Retrieved May 17, 2012.
  52. "Lawsuit filed over New York same-sex marriage law". CNN. July 25, 2011. Retrieved December 5, 2011.
  53. Kaplan, Thomas (November 29, 2011). "Judge Says Lawsuit Against Gay Marriage Law in New York May Proceed". The New York Times.
  54. Court Rejects Argument Against Gay Marriage Bill
  55. Snow, Justin (August 7, 2012). "Anti-Gay Group Challenges Marriage Equality In New York". Metro Weekly. Archived from the original on August 17, 2012. Retrieved August 7, 2012.
  56. Lovett, Ken (October 23, 2012). "Court of Appeals refuses to hear gay marriage appeal". Metro Weekly. Retrieved October 23, 2012.
  57. Kaplan, Thomas (December 13, 2012). "In Final Tally, Vote for Gay Marriage Costs 3 Republicans". The New York Times.
  58. Lovett, Kenneth (May 9, 2012). "State Sen. who voted for gay marriage one of 4 GOPers who voted for gay marriage last year, won't run for reelection - believing that vote weakened him politically". New York Daily News. Retrieved November 26, 2012.
  59. "Deadlocked races for two GOPers who backed gay marriage in New York". Politico.Com. September 13, 2012. Retrieved November 26, 2012.
  60. Vogel, Charity (November 7, 2012). "Grisanti wins in state Senate's 60th district". Buffalo News. Retrieved November 26, 2012.
  61. Incumbent Mark Grisanti loses senate seat
  62. "Kathy Marchione declares victory in Republican primary for 43rd Senate District". Troy Record. September 25, 2012. Retrieved November 26, 2012.
  63. DeWitt, Karen (September 28, 2012). "Sen. Roy McDonald to leave race after losing GOP Primary". North Country Public Radio. Retrieved November 26, 2012.
  64.   (November 7, 2012). "Republican Marchione cruises to victory in 43rd Senate District". Hudsonvalley.ynn.com. Retrieved April 5, 2014.CS1 maint: extra punctuation (link)
  65. Davis, John (September 25, 2012). "Saland ekes out GOP primary win". The Poughkeepsie Journal. Retrieved October 3, 2012.
  66. "Saland's Defeat "Unfortunate," Cuomo Says". Polhudson.lohudblogs.com. December 13, 2012. Retrieved April 5, 2014.
  67. lovett, ken. "And then there were none: Defeated Mark Grisanti last of NY Senate GOP lawmakers who backed legal gay marriage". nydailynews.com.
  68. "Wedding memorabilia made historic". Archived from the original on July 13, 2015. Retrieved July 13, 2015.
  69. Confessore, Nicholas (September 3, 2008). "Court Backs Paterson Regarding Gay Unions". The New York Times. Retrieved May 23, 2010.
  70. "Top State Court Hears Cases on Gay Marriage". New York Times. 2009. Retrieved October 12, 2009
  71. Leonard, Arthur S. (November 19, 2009). "New York Court of Appeals Rejects Two Challenges to Marriage Recognition Policies". Archived from the original on May 5, 2010.
  72. Grossman, Joanna L. (November 24, 2009). "New York's Highest Court Upholds Benefits for Same-Sex Spouses in Narrow Ruling".
  73. "THOMPSON: NYS ECONOMY WOULD GAIN $210 MILLION AFTER LEGALIZATION OF MARRIAGE FOR SAME-SEX COUPLES". New York City Comptroller. May 26, 2009. Archived from the original on May 30, 2009.
  74. "NYC Same-Sex Marriages Generate $259 Million in Economic Impact". New York City. July 24, 2012.
  75. How many same-sex marriages in the U.S.? At least 71,165, probably more
  76. "Vital Statistics of New York State". health.ny.gov.
  77. Lovett, Kenneth (April 20, 2009). "Has gay marriage reached a tipping point in New York? Poll shows majority approve of gov's bill". Daily News. Retrieved May 8, 2009.
  78. "Results of SurveyUSA News Poll #15271". Surveyusa.com. Retrieved June 27, 2011.
  79. Siena College Research Institute Archived May 28, 2010, at the Wayback Machine
  80. Quinnipiac University – Office of Public Affairs. "New York State (NY) Poll * May 14, 2009 * Racial Split As New Yorkers Di – Quinnipiac University – Hamden, Connecticut". Quinnipiac.edu. Retrieved June 27, 2011.
  81. Bases, Daniel (June 23, 2009). "New Yorkers supportive of gay marriage: poll". Reuters.
  82. Quinnipiac University – Office of Public Affairs. "New York State (NY) Poll * June 23, 2009 * New York State Voters Support – Quinnipiac University – Hamden, Connecticut". Quinnipiac.edu. Retrieved June 27, 2011.
  83. Gelman, Andrew; Jeffrey Lax; Justin Phillips (August 21, 2010). "Over Time, a Gay Marriage Groundswell". The New York Times. Retrieved September 24, 2010.
  84. College Research Institute
  85. Majority Supports Legalization of Same-Sex Marriage…63% Want Law to Remain in Place
  86. "New York Poll". Quinnipiac University Polling. Retrieved December 13, 2012.
  87. A Shifting Landscape
  88. "Results of a Joint Poll with Siena and Roanoke Released Today". Center for Public Interest Polling.
  89. Public Religion Research Institute: 2016 poll LGBT
  90. Public Religion Research Institute: 2017 poll LGBT
  91. SAME-SEX MARRIAGE: THE LAW; SPITZER'S OPINION MIXED ON STATUS OF GAY MARRIAGE
  92. "N.Y. court reverses gay marriage ruling". USA Today. December 8, 2005. Retrieved May 23, 2010.
  93. "86-89opn06.wpd" (PDF). Retrieved August 14, 2008.
  94. Fernandez, Manny (May 22, 2007). "Legal Status Brings Security to Some Same-Sex Marriages". The New York Times. Retrieved May 15, 2009.
  95. "A08590 Summary". Retrieved March 24, 2012.
  96. Peters, Jeremy W. (July 7, 2006). "New York to Back Same-Sex Unions From Elsewhere". The New York Times. Retrieved April 29, 2008.
  97. "Topic Galleries — Courant.com". August 13, 2008. Archived from the original on May 31, 2008. Retrieved August 14, 2008.
  98. Kenneth Lovett; Elizabeth Benjamin (May 29, 2008). "Bruno to fight gay marriage recognition". Daily News. Retrieved August 14, 2008.
  99. "ADF – Alliance Defense Fund ADF Content". Alliancedefensefund.org. Retrieved June 27, 2011.
  100. "Monroe County won't challenge same-sex marriage ruling". The Post-Standard. Associated Press. November 25, 2008. Retrieved May 17, 2012.
  101. Benjamin, Elizabeth (December 4, 2008). "Details of a Leadership Deal". Daily News. Archived from the original on December 7, 2008. Retrieved December 7, 2008.
  102. New York takes a bow for same-sex marriage
  103. Peters, Jeremy W. (April 16, 2009). "Paterson Introduces a Same-Sex Marriage Bill". The New York Times. New York State. Retrieved June 27, 2011.
  104. Jeremy W. Peters (May 12, 2009). "N.Y. Assembly Passes Gay Marriage Bill". The New York Times. Retrieved May 17, 2012.
  105. Spector, Joseph (May 13, 2009). "N.Y. Assembly passes same-sex marriage legislation". USA Today. Retrieved June 27, 2011.
  106. Godfrey v Spano
  107. unknown (December 2, 2009). "State Assembly Vote Tally". New York State Assembly. Retrieved December 2, 2009.
  108. Peters, Jeremy W. (December 2, 2009). "New York State Senate Votes Down Gay Marriage Bill". The New York Times. Retrieved December 2, 2009.
  109. Confessore, Nicholas (May 10, 2011). "New Bill Supporting Same-Sex Marriage Is Introduced in Assembly". The New York Times. Retrieved June 27, 2011.
  110. Wiessner, Dan (June 16, 2011). "New York Assembly backs gay marriage, Senate showdown next". Reuters. Retrieved June 27, 2011.
  111. Bargnes & Popiolkowski, Kevin & Joseph (July 24, 2011). "Couple ushers in new era". The Buffalo News. Retrieved July 31, 2011.
  112. "Hernandez v Robles (2005 NY Slip Op 25057)". Retrieved August 14, 2008.
  113. "Hernandez v. Robles, 855 NE 2d 1 - NY: Court of Appeals 2006". Google Scholar. Retrieved March 10, 2015.
  114. "Matter of Shields v Madigan (2004 NY Slip Op 24393)". Retrieved August 14, 2008.
  115. Samuels et al. v. New York State Department of Health (Challenging interpretation of state law to prohibit same-sex marriage)
  116. "Samuels v New York State Dept. of Health (2006 NY Slip Op 01213)". Retrieved August 14, 2008.
  117. "Seymour v Holcomb (2005 NY Slip Op 25070)". Retrieved August 14, 2008.
  118. "Seymour v Holcomb (2006 NYSlipOp 01215)". Retrieved August 14, 2008.
  119. Kane v. Marsolais
  120. "Matter of Kane v Marsolais (2006 NYSlipOp 01214)". Retrieved August 14, 2008.
  121. David Badash. "Same-Sex Marriage: New York Assembly Passes Marriage Equality Bill – Details". The New Civil Rights Movement. Retrieved June 27, 2011.
  122. "NY becomes 6th US state to legalize gay marriage". Stamfordadvocate.com. March 19, 2009. Archived from the original on June 28, 2011. Retrieved June 27, 2011.

This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.