New York Marriage Ruling Is Historic Step Toward Full Equality

NEWS from the Human Rights Campaign
1640 Rhode Island Ave., N.W.
Washington, DC 20036-3278
E-mail: hrc [at] hrc.org
http://www.hrc.org
_________________________________

For Immediate Release
Friday, Feb. 4, 2005

Contact: Steven Fisher
Phone: (202) 216-1547
Cell: (202) 431-7608

Contact: Mark Shields
Phone: (202) 216-1564
Cell: (202) 716-1637

HRC: NEW YORK MARRIAGE RULING IS HISTORIC STEP TOWARD FULL EQUALITY

"The court simply recognized that every New Yorker deserves the same
promise of equality under law," said HRC's Seth Kilbourn.

WASHINGTON - The Human Rights Campaign lauded a historic New York court
ruling today saying that same-sex couples must be allowed to marry.
Lambda Legal brought the case on behalf of five same-sex couples
seeking
marriage licenses in New York.

"The court simply recognized that every New Yorker deserves the same
promise of equality under law," said Seth Kilbourn, vice president for
HRC's Marriage Project. "This is about real people who are being denied
real protections and security without the right to marry. Ensuring that
every loving and committed couple in New York has equal access to
marriage is about ensuring New Yorkers' basic freedom. Congratulations
to Lambda Legal and the plaintiff couples for their leadership in
bringing us one step closer to full equality."

In the 62-page decision that will go into effect in New York County in
30 days, State Supreme Court Justice Doris Ling-Cohan said that the New
York State Constitution guarantees basic freedoms to same-sex couples
and that those rights are violated when same-sex couples are denied
marriage licenses. Justice Ling-Cohan was elected to office with
strong
bipartisan support. Because the New York State Supreme Court is a
trial-level court, the city could appeal the ruling to a higher court.

The Human Rights Campaign is the largest national lesbian, gay,
bisexual
and transgender political organization with members throughout the
country. It effectively lobbies Congress, provides campaign support and
educates the public to ensure that LGBT Americans can be open, honest
and safe at home, at work and in the community.

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