New York Governor introduces same-sex marriage bill

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Thursday, April 16, 2009

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New York's governor David Paterson introduced a bill Thursday into the state legislature to legalize marriage between same-sex couples, although it appears to lack the necessary support in the state senate.

Governor of New York David Paterson.

	For too long, the gay and lesbian communities have been told their rights and freedoms have to wait.
—New York Governor David Paterson

"For too long, the gay and lesbian communities have been told their rights and freedoms have to wait", said Gov. Paterson. "The time has come to bring marriage equality to the State of New York."

The legislation would give same-sex couples 1,300 to 1,400 rights that don't exist unless a couple is married, he said.

Of the four states in which same-sex marriage is presently legal — Vermont, Iowa, Massachusetts, and Connecticut — only Vermont has legalized marriage within the state legislature. The other three states have determined through the courts that the prohibition of same-sex marriage was not allowed under their state constitutions.

Related news

• "Vermont legalizes same-sex marriage". Wikinews, April 7, 2009

Sources

• Governor David A. Paterson "Governor Paterson Announces Landmark Civil Rights Legislation". Press Release, April 16, 2009
• "NY governor introduces bill to allow gay marriage". AP, April 16, 2009
• Alexandra Marks "New York to introduce same-sex marriage bill". Christian Science Monitor, April 16, 2009
• "NY state governor introduces gay marriage bill". Reuters, April 16, 2009
  

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