For Senate Republicans, it was even a heavy decision to put the measure on the table. Most Republicans strongly oppose same-sex marriage on moral grounds, and many also had political concerns, fearing that same-sex marriage would embitter conservative voters and cost Republicans their majority of a Senate seat. Here are a handful of those households with marriage equality prospects. Sabatino and her husband, Robert Voorheis, contributed their memories in several chapters of the book “The People`s Victory: Stories from the Front Lines in the Fight for Marriage Equality” (2017), including a four-day narrative in the Senate gallery watching and waiting for the vote, and lobbying when there were moments. The law on same-sex marriage was passed on 19 July. It was first passed by the New York State Assembly in June 2007. [20] Mr. Cuomo has made same-sex marriage one of his top priorities for the year and has used his top adviser to coordinate the efforts of half a dozen local gay rights organizations whose feud and disorganization were blamed in part for the defeat two years ago. The passage of the law was celebrated by gay rights advocates in New York City and across the country. The New York Times responded with an editorial supporting the law: “New York State has made a powerful, principled decision.” [46] Gay Pride parades have been held in the United States. [47] Supporters of gay rights expressed the belief that legalization in New York would lead to legalization elsewhere. [48] In June 2006, Westchester County Executive Andrew Spano issued Executive Order No. 3, stating that Westchester County would officially recognize out-of-state marriages of same-sex couples in the same manner that it currently recognizes opposite-sex marriages.
September 2006 ADF plaintiffs file a lawsuit (Godfrey v Spano) and seek an injunction against the county government. The Westchester County Supreme Court dismissed the injunction application. November 2006 Lambda Legal files an application to intervene on behalf of Michael Sabatino and Robert Voorheis, a couple who married in Canada in December 2006. Lambda Legal and the county government are independently seeking the denial of the plaintiffs` application and the plaintiffs` request for injunction. January 2007 ADF plaintiffs modify their case. Lambda Legal and the county government are seeking to dismiss this amended complaint. March 2007 Westchester County Supreme Court dismisses the plaintiffs` claim and dismisses the plaintiffs` request for injunction, ruling that the county government`s order was lawful and in accordance with New York law. April 2007 The ADF appeals to the New York Appeals Division, Second Department, on behalf of three Westchester County taxpayers. Sabatino and Voorheis are allowed to intervene in the case as defendants.
June 2008 In its oral submissions to the Appeal Division, Lambda Legal defends Spano`s responsibility to comply with New York law. December 2008 Victory! The New York Appeals Division upheld the dismissal of the case and confirmed that Westchester County Executive Spano had legally recognized out-of-state marriages for same-sex couples. March 2009 New York`s highest court, the Court of Appeals, accepts the case for review at the request of the ADF. October 2009 Lambda Legal appears before the New York Court of Appeals on behalf of Sabatino and Voorheis. November 2009 The New York Court of Appeals rules that Westchester County can legally extend state benefits to same-sex couples in out-of-state marriages. The question of whether same-sex couples in New York are allowed to marry in their own home state is in the hands of the New York State Senate. The new coalition of same-sex marriage advocates has enlisted the help of one of Cuomo`s trusted campaign associates to oversee a $3 million TV and radio campaign aimed at persuading several Republican and Democratic senators to drop their opposition. 12. In July 2011, Laura Fotusky, City Clerk of Barker, New York, resigned because she opposed same-sex marriage and did not want to sign marriage certificates for same-sex couples. [52] [53] Her resignation came two weeks after another Volney City Clerk stated that she also opposed the signing of certificates, but that she would not leave her position as Deputy Clerk. [54] The New Yorkers for Constitutional Liberties said she would reach the $25,000 salary Fotusky gave when she resigned.
[55] Granby City Clerk Ruth Sheldon did the same a few days later. [56] Ledyard Town Clerk Rose Marie Belforti made national and state headlines when she told the Town of Ledyard that she would not sign marriage certificates for same-sex couples because of her religious beliefs.