New York Poised to Accept Same-Sex Marriage

Special Report - May 29, 2008
In the wake of the California decision to perform same-sex marriages, New York’s governor has taken steps to ensure that New York will accept those “marriages.” According to press reports, Gov. David Paterson told state agencies to officially recognize same-sex marriages performed in other states. This recognition would allow same-sex couples to file joint taxes, receive tax breaks, and share insurance policies. Analysts also say this official recognition would impact adoption.

Gov. Paterson’s official call for the recognition is the latest development in New York’s increasing acceptance of same-sex marriage. Earlier this year, the New York Supreme Court officially recognized a lesbian marriage performed in Canada.

In North Carolina, Senate Bill 1608—Defense of Marriage has been filed in the General Assembly. North Carolina has a Defense of Marriage Act, but this Act could be declared unconstitutional by a state court, which could place North Carolina in the same position as New York. SB 1608, if passed by the legislature, would allow voters to approve an amendment to the North Carolina Constitution defining marriage as between one man and one woman at one time. This would prevent what is happening in New York from happening in North Carolina.

“The failure of the North Carolina General Assembly to pass a bill to allow the voters to have their say on an amendment to our constitution is troubling,” said Bill Brooks, president of the North Carolina Family Policy Council. “If California begins granting marriage licenses to same-sex couples on June 17, as they claim, we will likely soon see court challenges to our marriage laws here in North Carolina.”

Copyright © 2008. North Carolina Family Policy Council. All rights reserved.