New York

New York does honor out of state marriages with no gay exception. In May 2008, NY Gov. David Paterson directed state agencies to ensure that the out-of-state marriages of same-sex couples are respected and treated equally under law, the same as New York does with different-sex couples' marriages. Gov. Paterson's order conforms to NY's historic practice and the common-sense principle that it makes more sense to respect marriages than to destabilize them.  But couples cannot, as yet, marry at home in New York.

On April 16, 2009, NY Governor David Paterson announced that he introduced a marriage equality bill to the NY Assembly and Senate. The Assembly passed it twice in 2009 (it passed in 2007 also), but unfortunately it was defeated in the Senate. Work continues throughout the state to win the freedom to marry.

Status: Out-of-State Marriages Honored, No Anti-Gay Constitutional Amendments or Laws 

Groups Actively Working on Marriage  

Empire State Pride Agenda: New York's central statewide lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) civil rights and advocacy organization

Marriage Equality New York: An all-inclusive organization whose mission is to educate the public about the importance of the freedom to marry

 

 

Blog Posts Related to New York

NOM Tour Tracker: LGBT families in Maine and New York tell their stories

"NOM Tour Tracker", a partnership between Freedom to Marry and Courage Campaign, continues to track Freedom to Marry's Summer for Marriage tour.

In this post, videos from families who support marriage equality in Maine and New York.

Freedom to Marry’s Summer for Marriage tour ends week one in strong fashion

NOM’s turnout grows sparer with each day while excitement grows at each stop on Freedom to Marry’s Summer for Marriage tour.

Voice for Equality: Gayle King

Gayle King is editor-at-large for "O, The Oprah Magazine" and is the best friend of Oprah Winfrey. She has previously worked as a television news anchor and talk show host. King was also instrumental in the planning and creation of the Legends Weekend. In September 2006, King began to host "The Gayle King Show" on XM Satellite Radio.

On her radio show on Friday, July 9, 2010, King expressed her support for marriage equality and the previous day's marriage ruling in Massachusetts.

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Resources Related to New York

Same-Sex Marriage Myths Busted

Empire State Pride Agenda created an online resource that debunks nine widely read myths on the subject of marriage equality.

NY Gay Couples Getting Married Out Of State: Q&A

Since Governor Paterson wrote to state agencies about respecting the legal out-of-state marriages of same-sex couples, the Pride Agenda has been getting questions from a number of LGBT New Yorkers. Here’s the answers to your questions.

New York Trial-Level Court Rules to Dismiss Challenge to Gov Paterson on Marriage Equality Directive

Bronx Supreme Court Justice Lucy Billings rejected a legal challenge to Governor David Paterson's directive that state agencies recognize same-sex marriages contracted outside of New York State.

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