Same-sex marriage (SSM)

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New York state

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Quotations:

	"If marriage means everything, it means absolutely nothing." Dr. James C. Dobson, of Focus on the Family.
	"A loving man and woman in a committed relationship can marry. Dogs, no matter what their relationship, are not allowed to marry. How should society treat gays and lesbians in committed relationships? As dogs or as humans?" A posting to an Internet mailing list; used by permission of the author.

Overview:

	Early 2004: There were a number of attempts to solemnize the marriages of same-sex couples. None of the marriages was ever recognized and registered by the state. Several misdemeanor charges were laid against those officiating. All were dismissed.
	2006-MAY: the New York Court of Appeals heard from a total of 44 couples requesting the right to marry. In 2006-JUL, the court found that New Yorkers had no constitutional right to marriage, but that the legislature could legalize SSM if it wished.
	2007-APR-27: Governor Eliot Spitzer introduced a bill to legalize SSM in the Assembly and Senate. It did not become law
	2008-FEB-01: A New York state appeals court ruled unanimously that same-sex marriages legally contracted out of state, including Canada, must be recognized by the state. The case involved a lesbian couple who went to Canada, became married, returned to their home in New York state, and were refused recognition of their marriage.
	2008-MAY-14: New York State Governor David Paterson instructed state agencies to recognize same-sex marriages that have legally been performed in other jurisdictions.
	2008-SEP-03: The fundamentalist Christian Alliance Defense Fund did not succeed in its courts challenge of state recognition of out-of-state same-sex marriages.
	2009-APR-16: Governor David Paterson announced that he will introduce a bill legalizing same-sex marriage in New York.
	2009-MAY-12: SSM bill passes the Assembly by a vote of 89 to 54 (62% in favor).
	2009-JUN-24: SSM is considered by the Senate

Topics covered in this section:

	2004: Unsuccessful attempts to register same-sex marriages
	Same-sex marriage and civil union developments 2000 to 2007 2008 2009: SSM bill introduced SSM bill passes state Assembly 2009 bill being considered by state Senate

Copyright © 2007 to 2009 by Ontario Consultants on Religious Tolerance
Originally written: 2007-APR-30
Latest update: 2009-JUN-14
Author: B.A. Robinson

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