Griffo Issues Statement on Marriage

Utica - Senator Joseph A. Griffo (R-I-C, Rome)  today said that he believes New York State should continue to define marriage as the union of a man and a woman and that he would not support laws to change that interpretation.

"Marriage is one of the most valued and sacred aspects of our society. It is more than just one of the basic civil rights to which all people are entitled. Marriage between a man and a woman is one of the cornerstone institutions in our culture, and an important sacrament in the Catholic Church. I do not believe that changing its definition under state law is appropriate," Griffo said. "Traditional beliefs that define a family structure as based on marriage between a man and a woman are part of the bedrock values in the region I serve as Senator."

"Although I believe in the traditional definition of marriage, I also believe that there should be no discrimination based on sexual orientation," Griffo said. "All people have value in our society, and no one should be treated unfairly because of their sexual orientation, race, gender or any other category. I believe that there should be equal rights under the law, but I have not been persuaded that preservation of marriage in its current form is a denial of basic rights."