May 29, 2008 7:02 pm US/Eastern
Gay Marriage In N.Y. May Not Go Any Further
Gov. Paterson's Directive, Though Bold, Has Little Chance Of Gaining Support In The State Legislature
NEW YORK (CBS) ―
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Gay rights advocates were cheering in California when its ban on gay marriage was overturned May 14. Now same-sex advocates in New York have almost as much to cheer about.
CBS
It's a victory for New York's same-sex couples. While the state still won't allow same-sex marriages, it will now recognize gay weddings performed in other states.
CBS 2 HD gathered reaction from both sides of this controversial issue on Thursday.
To some it's a step in the right direction.
"We would extend to people who married in other states of same sex or opposite sex equal opportunities in New York," Gov. David Paterson said on Thursday.
Added Lamda Legal Defense Fund spokesperson Susan Sommer: "Gay marriage has come to New York."
Others, however, were far from pleased with the decision.
"I'm quite angry about it," said William Donohue of the Catholic League. "Nobody ever elected this man as governor. You'd think he'd show a little more humility and deference to the Legislature."
But while the governor's directive mean that gay couples can now share family health care plans, receive tax breaks by filing jointly, enjoy stronger adoption rights and inherit property, there is one thing it does not allow – same-sex couples who want to pledge their troth in the Empire State must still go elsewhere. Some say that is an end run around the Legislature.
"This is not an end run around the Legislature," Paterson said. "If the Legislature wanted to take action, it could. The Legislature has not provided for gay marriage equality in New York."
The governor's move – a directive to state agencies – doesn't legalize same-sex marriages performed here, but it may as far as he can go given the political landscape in Albany.
The Catholic League's opposition is just one indication of how difficult it would be to get a gay marriage bill through the State Legislature.
"What this will do is this will inspire those of us who want a Constitutional amendment which says marriage should be between a man and a woman, not between two guys and two gals," Donohue said.
New Yorkers had a mixed reaction.
"Anything that's in favor of gay marriage, I'm against, because that's against the bible, plain and simple," one man said.
"He sees everything as being equal," Brownsville resident Christina Hernandez said of Paterson. "I really like that. I have a lot of respect for that."
Paterson's dilemma on gay marriage is that he can't get it through the Legislature. The Assembly passed a gay marriage bill a year ago, but so far the Republican-controlled Senate has refused.
Paterson said he hopes this year's elections will pressure the Republicans.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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