Marriages of
same-sex couples entered into outside of New York State must
be recognized, a state appellate court ruled Friday.
Same-sex couples
who have entered into marriages outside of New York
State must be recognized, a state appellate court ruled
Friday. The case, filed by the New York Civil
Liberties Union, is the first known appellate court
decision made nationwide that validates same-sex marriages.
The case,
Martinez v. County of Monroe, was filed in
2005 by Patricia Martinez, who sought health care benefits
for her female partner whom she married in Canada the
previous year. She was employed by the Monroe
Community College in Rochester, N.Y.
New York State
law requires legal bodies to recognize marriages that were
solemnized outside of the state.
“This is a
victory for families, it’s a victory for fairness and
it’s a victory for human rights,” Donna
Lieberman, executive director of the NYCLU, said in a
statement. “Congratulations to all same-sex couples
validly married outside of New York State: You are now
considered married in New York as well. Now we need to
work toward a New York where you don’t have to
cross state or country lines to get married.” (The
Advocate)
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