Public Advocate Betsy Gotbaum reaffirmed her support for same-sex civil marriage, referring to the State Constitution, which states that no person shall be denied equal protection under the laws of the State. “Everyone should be afforded the same rights, responsibilities, and protections under the law,” Gotbaum said.
“Currently, too many benefits and rights are denied to same-sex couples, ” she continued. These rights include: right to medical decision-making for a partner, custody and visitation rights, access to insurance, inheritance protections, and death benefits. “Someone can even be denied the right to visit their ailing partner in the hospital. That is just wrong.”
Gotbaum supports two resolutions on same - sex unions recently introduced into the City Council – one sponsored by City Council Member Gail Brewer and the other sponsored by Council Members Christine Quinn and David Yassky.
Council Member Brewer’s resolution calls for opposition to: (1) any Federal Constitution amendment that bans same - sex marriage, (2) the Federal Defense of Marriage Act of 1996, and (3) any attempt by New York State elected officials to pass similar discriminatory legislation. Council Member Quinn and Yassky’s resolutions call for: (1) opposition to state interference with same sex couple who choose to marry, and (2) passage of the New York State Right to Marry Bill.
Gotbaum questions Attorney General Spitzer’s determination that same-sex marriages are illegal in New York State , but agrees with Spitzer that same-sex marriages from other localities should be honored in New York State . “I want to work with all New York City governmental offices to make sure that same-sex couples who have been married in places like Canada and soon Massachusetts are treated for all purposes as the 100% legally married couples that they are,” Gotbaum said.
“Ultimately, it is up to the courts to decide. I hope our laws will be interpreted in a way that upholds the civil right to marry for all people.” Gotbaum added that the legislature should do all it can to support the rights and needs of same sex couples.
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