NYCLU to Senate: Put Differences Aside and Pass the Marriage Bill

Today, during a second extraordinary session, the New York State Senate is scheduled to consider the marriage bill. The New York Civil Liberties Union, one of the largest membership organizations in the state with nearly 50,000 members, called on senators to put aside the fight for power and vote to protect all of New York’s families.

“Marriage shouldn’t be about politics. Being able to get married – and protect your partner and your children – is a matter of human dignity. Our leaders must put aside their differences and momentarily forget the leadership fight and pass the marriage bill today,” said Donna Lieberman, executive director of the NYCLU. “Our senators must get on the right side of history and support fairness and equality for all New Yorkers.”

In May, the Assembly passed the marriage bill for the second time, and the governor has already pledged his support for it. The bill includes a religious exemption to make clear that it only impacts marriage as a civil institution – clergy will not have to solemnize marriages should the Senate approve the bill.

Marriages between lesbian and gay New Yorkers entered into out-of-state are recognized in New York thanks to a 2008 NYCLU legal victory in Martinez v. County of Monroe. Following that victory, Governor Paterson directed all state agencies to revise their policies to recognize marriages of same-sex couples performed in other jurisdictions. Since then, New Hampshire, Connecticut, Vermont, Maine and Iowa have legalized marriage for lesbian and gay couples. But New Yorkers remain unable to get married at home.

Earlier this month, the NYCLU launched www.MarriageNY.com, a website featuring a dozen New York couples explaining why the right to get married matters to them. Syracuse resident Susan Salomone, the mother of four children adopted through the foster care system, explained that marrying her life partner Jean would help keep her family safe.

“We have established our relationship amongst our friends, our family, our church – it would be nice to have it legalized so we’re completely protected,” Salomone said.

Delaware, NY resident Rose Coppola has been with her partner nearly half her life.

“We’ve been together for 31 years and I’m getting old,” Coppola said. “I don’t know how much longer I can wait for New York State to grant us a marriage.”