Kenny Guido
Well-known member
New Yorkers applaud Guv's gay marriage stance
By Marlene Naanes, amNewYork Staff Writer
More stories | [email protected] 7:01 PM EDT, May 29, 2008 Daniel Whitman's trip to California next month became more meaningful overnight now that New York state is recognizing same-sex marriages.
As soon as Whitman, 35, heard on the news Wednesday night about the state's new stance on gay marriages, he decided he would propose to his longtime partner the following day. Now the work trip to California the couple had planned for late June will include a wedding - theirs.
"We've talked about it many times," said Whitman, who lives in Hell's Kitchen. "This makes it not just a symbolic thing. This has repercussions in our life."
Gov. David Paterson recently sent a memo to state agencies, ordering them to recognize gay marriages legally performed in other states and countries. The directive would allow couples like Whitman and his partner, Bob Bartley, who wear wedding bands from a commitment ceremony more than seven years ago, the right to tax breaks, inherited property, and more than 1,000 other privileges the state grants to married couples.
The news came on the heels of a California Supreme Court ruling that gay marriages will be legal in the state starting June 17.
Paterson said Thursday that he is simply ensuring state agencies follow a long-standing civil rights law that recognizes legal marriages performed elsewhere. He said doing so protects the state from litigation and prevents discrimination.
"I think it's beautiful," said Paterson, who has been a longtime gay marriage supporter.
The governor's order was blasted by religious groups and state Senate Majority Leader Joseph Bruno, who said it circumvented the legislature's authority to change the legal definition of marriage.
"The Senate is reviewing the implications of the Governor's directive and whether he has gone beyond his authority under State law," Bruno said in a statement.
For the time being, however, Bushwick couple Nicole Braudy and Alaina Zulli are rejoicing over the added significance of their Saturday wedding in Canada.
"When we come back here ... it's more meaningful," said Braudy, 25. "It's recognized. It's real."
By Marlene Naanes, amNewYork Staff WriterMore stories | [email protected] 7:01 PM EDT, May 29, 2008 Daniel Whitman's trip to California next month became more meaningful overnight now that New York state is recognizing same-sex marriages.
As soon as Whitman, 35, heard on the news Wednesday night about the state's new stance on gay marriages, he decided he would propose to his longtime partner the following day. Now the work trip to California the couple had planned for late June will include a wedding - theirs.
"We've talked about it many times," said Whitman, who lives in Hell's Kitchen. "This makes it not just a symbolic thing. This has repercussions in our life."
Gov. David Paterson recently sent a memo to state agencies, ordering them to recognize gay marriages legally performed in other states and countries. The directive would allow couples like Whitman and his partner, Bob Bartley, who wear wedding bands from a commitment ceremony more than seven years ago, the right to tax breaks, inherited property, and more than 1,000 other privileges the state grants to married couples.
The news came on the heels of a California Supreme Court ruling that gay marriages will be legal in the state starting June 17.
Paterson said Thursday that he is simply ensuring state agencies follow a long-standing civil rights law that recognizes legal marriages performed elsewhere. He said doing so protects the state from litigation and prevents discrimination.
"I think it's beautiful," said Paterson, who has been a longtime gay marriage supporter.
The governor's order was blasted by religious groups and state Senate Majority Leader Joseph Bruno, who said it circumvented the legislature's authority to change the legal definition of marriage.
"The Senate is reviewing the implications of the Governor's directive and whether he has gone beyond his authority under State law," Bruno said in a statement.
For the time being, however, Bushwick couple Nicole Braudy and Alaina Zulli are rejoicing over the added significance of their Saturday wedding in Canada.
"When we come back here ... it's more meaningful," said Braudy, 25. "It's recognized. It's real."