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New York State Assembly approves same-sex marriage bill

By Bernard Hibbitts (editor) and University of Pittsburgh School of Law students.

[JURIST] The New York State Assembly on Tuesday passed a bill that would allow same-sex marriages to be performed in the state. The legislation, which was introduced last month by New York Governor David Paterson, passed by a vote of 89-52. The assembly passed a similar measure in 2007, and five members who voted against that bill voted in favor of Tuesday's bill. Gay rights group the Empire State Pride Agenda applauded Tuesday's vote, and called on the New York State Senate to pass the legislation as well. The bill now goes before the Senate, where its future is uncertain. The 2007 measure was defeated in the Senate. The proposed legislation is strongly opposed by conservative groups such as New Yorkers for Constitutional Freedoms and the Alliance Defense Fund, as well as the Conservative Party of New York State, which has threatened to end support for any politician who votes for the bill. If the Senate were to approve the bill, New York would become the sixth state to legalize same-sex marriage. Last week, Maine became the fifth state to allow same-sex marriage when Governor John Baldacci signed a same-sex marriage bill into law. Last month, Vermont became the first state to legalize same-sex marriage through a vote of the legislature, joining Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Iowa as the other states that allow same-sex marriage. A same-sex marriage bill is currently before the New Hampshire governor.

Full post as published by JURIST - The Paper Chase on May 13, 2009 (boomark / email).