Paterson’s Gay-Marriage Directive Headed To Court

Posted on July 18, 2008
Filed Under Gay News Blog

The sides in the fight over whether Gov. David Paterson’s directive to recognize same-sex marriages in New York head to court tomorrow in the Bronx.

On June 3, the Alliance Defense Fund on behalf of several Republican state lawmakers filed a lawsuit against Paterson in state court, claiming the Democratic governor acted beyond his authority.

They claim that same-sex marriage is not legal in New York, and only the Legislature could change that.

“The governor should respect New York’s marriage laws over the laws of foreign jurisdictions. Gov. Paterson is overstepping his authority and the democratic process by issuing a directive at odds with New York public policy on marriage,” said the group’s lawyer, Brian Raum.

Attorney General Andrew Cuomo has filed a motion to dismiss the case, and that motion will be heard tomorrow in court.

The civil-rights group Lambda Legal filed papers last week seeking to intervene in this case on behalf of two state employees who married in Canada and are raising a daughter together.

Lambda Legal also filed a motion to dismiss the case.

Paterson’s Gay-Marriage Directive Headed To Court
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