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Marriage in Massachusetts Likely to Have Immediate Effect in WNY
Buffalo, NY, May 17, 2004 - - To some, the realization of equal marriage rights for same-sex couples may seem contained to just Massachusetts. However, gay rights groups across New York State are celebrating the very real opportunity to have a legal marriage from a neighboring state recognized right here at home.
In a May 14th letter to Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney, New York State’s Attorney General, Elliot Spitzer reiterated his opinion that marriages of same-sex couples lawfully performed elsewhere should be recognized by New York State.
“This could be a landmark day for all of us in Western New York who strive to have our partnerships and unions recognized,” said the Pride Center of Western New York’s Executive Director, James Ver Steeg. “The Massachusetts decision, combined with Mr. Spitzer’s enlightened and inclusive opinion, could make for an important step in our realization of equal rights.”
The Attorney General’s actions were prompted by a letter from Governor Romney to every governor and attorney general in the nation saying that Massachusetts will not marry same-sex couples from another state unless provided with an authoritative statement affirming that marriage between same-sex couples are NOT VOID in the couple’s home state.
Threatening New York State’s recognition of legal marriages from Massachusetts is the ill-conceived and discriminatory Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) co-sponsored in the New York Sate Senate by Senators George Maziarz (R) and Dale Volker (R), both from Western New York.
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