The legal battle over same-sex marriage in
New York
State enters a new round. The state Court of Appeals is considering a lawsuit that claims an existing state ban is unconstitutional.
Hundreds of people rallied at an Upper West Synagogue to send a message to
Albany today that they believe all New Yorkers, whether they are gay or straight, deserve the freedom to marry:
"This day is a long time coming. We have waited for it. Now our moment has come," said Alan Van Cappelle, the executive director of Pride Agenda.
That moment is when
New York's highest court hears arguments today on behalf of 45 same-sex couples who were denied marriage licenses across the state -- like those in New Paltz.
Three months ago, an appeals court upheld the state's marriage law as constitutional. That ruling was a major blow to gay couples who argued that state health regulations limiting marriage to heterosexuals violated their equal rights under the constitution.
Mayor Bloomberg, an outspoken supporter of gay marriage, said he expects city lawyers to argue aggressively against same-sex marriage in
Albany today because he said the change should come through the legislature, not the courts.
"I've committed to go to
Albany to lobby for a law change," he said.
The session before the Court of Appeals is the last step before the court makes the ultimate judicial decision on the legality of gay marriage in
New York.
Opponents of same-sex marriage note that the majority of Americans agree with their opinion that marriage should only be between a man and woman.
Gay marriage remains a divisive issue. A March poll by the
Pew
Research
Center found 51 percent of Americans oppose it. Still, gay rights groups said they expect to prevail before the Court of Appeals.
51 percent may oppose it, but then theoretically that means 49 do not. i think they should be allowed to get married if they want.
Well I think that too, but the majority has the word.
Majority do not have the last word. Laws are made to protect the minority so that the majority is protected as well.
Let the corporate mind turn you all into the gay borg. Like Hitler and the Romans. I will be gone and this nation that was once great wil be like the powder puff faries that ran the roamn empire and were defeated. History shows it again and again. New nation, God, no God, to Gay Defeated, again and again. I say also, Let them get married legally. I wont be around in 40 years to se it.
That's quite a superficial opinion, but the conclusion is what matters: let them get married.
We are not "them" It is "you" that is ignorant. Your permission to marry is not needed. I could care less what you think hence the reason for going through the courts.
It looks like you really had a nice time. nokia6630