Assemblymember Cahill: Marriage Bill Brings Equality to New York

May 12, 2009

Today, the Assembly passed legislation that would allow people to marry in New York State without regard to their gender. This measure would grant same-sex couples the rights and responsibilities of marriage that are extended to any other married couple. Under this bill, clergy would not be required to perform a ceremony or recognize a same-sex marriage.

This legislation is an important step forward for New York State. As a lawmaker, I believe that it is our duty to provide citizens with equal opportunities. This bill removes the discriminatory barriers that deprive individuals of the rights of other married individuals and awards legal recognition to all marriages. While civil unions are thought by some to be a stepping stone to equality, they simply cannot overcome the thousands of differences in our laws.

By recognizing marriage equality, partners will now be protected under law and given access to basic legal rights to which other married couples are entitled, including ownership of property, health care, hospital visitation, taxation, insurance coverage, child custody, pension benefits and testimonial privileges. Making marriage equality the law of the land is the only way we can assure the full spectrum of rights is granted to all our citizens. By passage of this legislation, New York will join Maine, Vermont, Iowa and Massachusetts in recognizing marriage equity under the law.

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