Oct 10, 2008 7:41 pm US/Eastern
Gays Hope N.Y. Follows Conn.'s Historic Lead
Many Advocates Are Wondering Why The Empire State Is Dragging Its Feet On The Same-Sex Marriage Issue
NEW YORK (CBS) ―
There has been a landmark ruling in Connecticut. The state Supreme Court has decided that same-sex couples have a right to get married.
Advocates hope New York will follow suit.
"Good for Connecticut," said George Cahill of Moonachie, N.J. "Way to go Connecticut."
New Yorkers are celebrating the decision to overrule the ban on same-sex marriage.
On Friday, the state joined California and Massachusetts in giving gay and lesbian couples the right to marry.
"I think it's great. If Ellen Degeneres can get married everyone should," Middle Village, Queens letter carrier Carmen Suarez said.
Added Anabel Schwartz of Midtown: "I would rather it be legalized everywhere but one step at a time."
Advocates for the civil rights of same-sex couples applauded the courts' move towards equality.
David Buckel, the marriage project director at Lamda Legal, said he hopes New York legislators will follow suit.
New York doesn't provide marriage equality for same-sex couples, but the state law says valid marriages of same-sex couples must be respected in New York State.
"We've had an unbroken string of victories, but that's not equality," Buckel said.
"We still have residents of our own state having to leave our state in order to best secure their families so the question is when will the New York Senate step up to the plate? The Assembly already has. The governor has said he'll sing it. Where's the Senate on this?"
Some still say New York's laws should stay the same.
"No, I don't believe it. I think marriage is between a man and woman. I'm sorry, that's how I feel," said Velma Sostre of Midtown.
Added Francesco Manica of Midtown: "More people believe in traditional marriage. Some people want to be gay. Let them be gay."
Barring opposition, same-sex couples could be allowed to marry in Connecticut in as soon as 20 days from now.
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