Statement Of New York State Senator Thomas K. Duane On Governor Paterson's Historic Directive To State Agencies To Recognize Same-sex Civil Marriages From Other Jurisdictions

I applaud Governor David Paterson's directive to New York State agencies to revise their policies and regulations to recognize same-sex marriages performed in other jurisdictions.

Governor Paterson's directive is not only right and fair, but it is also consistent with recent New York State appellate and Supreme Court rulings that marriages of same-sex couples entered into outside of New York must be recognized in this State.

While his directive is indeed historic, it need not have been. Granting the basic right of civil marriage to same-sex couples should be accepted in our society without question. Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender families deserve and demand equal treatment under the law. No more, no less.

Unfortunately, this crucial step in New York’s civil marriage battle is not the final step. While New York is the first state to recognize same-sex marriages legally performed in other jurisdictions, same-sex marriages performed in our state are still not legal.

As I have said before, I vow to fight for same-sex civil marriage until it passes the Senate and becomes the law in New York State.