By Melanie Hunter
CNSNews.com Deputy Managing Editor
February 04, 2005
02:43 pm
 

NY Supreme Court Rules in Favor of Same-Sex Marriage

(CNSNews.com) - The New York Supreme Court Friday ruled that same-sex couples must be allowed to marry. Same-sex marriage supporters hailed the ruling. Lambda Legal, which filed a lawsuit last year representing five homosexual couples seeking marriage licenses from the state, called it "a historic ruling that delivers the state Constitution's promise of equality to all New Yorkers." Justice Doris Ling-Cohan stayed the ruling for 30 days to allow time for appeals. "Similar to opposite-sex couples, same-sex couples are entitled to the same fundamental right to follow their hearts and publicly commit to a lifetime partnership with the person of their choosing," said Ling-Cohan in her ruling. "The court recognized that unless gay people can marry, they are not being treated equally under the law. Same-sex couples need the protections and security marriage provides, and this ruling says they're entitled to get them the same way straight couples do," said Susan Sommer, supervising attorney at Lambda Legal and the lead attorney on the case. New York's Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center also applauded the ruling. "All New Yorkers should be proud that this court has concluded that the basic civil right to marry extends to their gay and lesbian family members, co-workers, friends and neighbors," said Center Executive Director Richard Burns. "This court was correct to conclude that unless same-sex couples can marry, we are being treated as second-class citizens," Burns added.