On Demand
Gay Marriage in New York?
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Newsday’s Albany bureau chief James Madore discusses the news that New York State will recognize same-sex marriages performed elsewhere.
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Great timing. I was beginning to get worried that the Republicans wouldn't get a chance to turn the 2008 Presidential election into a referendum on boys kissing.
As an institution, I think it's dumb. But if it's going to exist then it should exist for everyone. It's about time it happened in NY. The liberal state is so far behind many of the other states.
Recognize it. Legalize it.
It still falls short of actually removing the outright discrimination but it's a good start.
You're wrong about Massachusetts. Their law forbids doing marriages for those from states that do not recognize them. They have long done same-sex marriages for folks from Rhode Island which recognizes such marriages in Massachusetts. The same will be true for New York residents.
It's a pretty smart way to wedge a foot in the door for eventual full-fledged gay marriage rights.
it is interesting that the context when pol. and suggest that the reps. will flip that this does not engage a discussion of the pol. malaise in their dogma...
Wow. However, please don't lose site of the fact that there are still a lot of federal benefits of marriage (immigration is the issue that effects me directly) that are unavailable to gay couples due to the Defense of Marriage Act. Also, what about "civil partnerships" formed in other jurisdictions? What could a transition from recognition across states to federal benefits look like?
You should note there are State Senate Democrats who oppose marriage equality, including Jeff Klein, Deputy Senate Minority Leader. It will take more than Republican crossovers to pass the bill in the State Senate.
Well for me this would be seemingly great news. I have a boyfriend who is on a restrictive student visa. It limits us in many many ways. In any case, let's say we got married in Canada and came back here. Would we still be married? Immigration is a federal issue and I don't think state acceptance of it validates anything. Also does this protection void if he leaves the state? I also worry about the measures being turned over at any point and the licenses being nullified.
The problem with outing yourself as a gay couple when you are marrying a foreign national is that you limit your options for staying in this country. People are denied visas all the time for various reasons and homosexuals are often discriminated against. If my boyfriend has to return home because of an expired visa, there is not telling if he will be able to return or even stay here again. It's part of the reason you don't see more federal lawsuits from mixed couples fighting this. LAMDA legal basically suggests we lay low.
So, do you Brian Lehrer fans know that you can enhance the ambiance of your work and living space by streaming wnyc2, 24 hour music stream on your computer while you enjoy the great talk and discussions?
Just go to the web site, and click on the link on the left side of the page, or save the link in your player.
Actually, if you have a reasonably new computer, you can stream Brian in one player and wnyc2 in another player.
Unfortunately despite the guv's ruling, legal recognition can only extend to state laws. Until the federal government recognizes these marriages important benefits such as joint tax returns and oso many other federally mandated things are not available. Besides, I'm sure Pastor Hagee would warn us that once hurricane season starts next week we are now going to be in for at least a Category 5!
Until Jerry Nadler's bill "Uniting American Families Act",
which Would Allow Americans to Sponsor "Permanent Partners" is PASSED, the state policies are minor movements on the long path to REAL EUALITY....
the federal gov't needs the kick in the as...
gary
Juan--here's to the day when you can love whom you love without fear or having to "lay low".
Best wishes...
I still am outraged! No one wants to talk about those of us with more than 1 partner! My 2 partners and I all love each other and want to be recognized too. This issue has been co opted by the "monogamy" wing of the gay movement! They have little respect for a small but growing segment of gays who desire government sanctioned multi-lateral unions. Unfortunately they are driving us to partner with and support the black Muslim community who are also desirous of a legally recognized straight multi-lateral union. Until all of us are free, we are all slaves to the straight heterosexual monogamous white males, boys!
Brian, I hope you will correct yourself tomorrow. The fact that you and Mr. Madore were both so certain that "New York is the FIRST to recognize same-sex unions but not provide for them" shows once again the failure of New Yorkers to take note of what is happening anywhere else. It is not hard to prove what I said about Rhode Island. There is an article in Wikipedia entitled "Same-Sex Marriage in Rhode Island" so it doesn't take a genius to do the research! Shame on you for twice giving false information.
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