Update on Marriage Recognition in New York

by Empire State Pride Agenda

Thu, 12 Jun 2008 19:46:59 GMT

"A lot of questions have arisen in the past two weeks since the news broke about Governor Paterson writing to state agencies about respecting the legal out-of-state marriages of same-sex couples. Like many others in New York , you might have questions about what this action means for you.

The two biggest questions that we’ve been hearing since Gov. Paterson released his advisory memo are:

1. Is it time to be thinking about going to California or Canada to get married?
2. Does this mean my employer has to recognize my out-of-state marriage now?

There aren’t blanket answers to these questions that will work for everyone. However, in order to help make understanding these issues easier, the Pride Agenda has created a resource page on our website.

Use this resource for information about marriage for same-sex couples in New York , including:
3. Why lawsuits aren’t the best way to win marriage equality
4. A summary of recent developments for recognizing out-of-state marriages in New York.

5. How Gov. Paterson’s actions might apply to the 1324 state rights and responsibilities that come with a marriage license?

6. What you can do moving forward to help win full marriage equality in New York State .

We hope this resource will add some clarification on these exciting new developments. Stay tuned for more updates from us as we continue to learn more about this—and as we keep working to make sure that a marriage equality bill is passed in Albany."

New York to Back Same-Sex Unions From Elsewhere

By JEREMY W. PETERS
The New York Times
Published: May 29, 2008

ALBANY — Gov. David A. Paterson has directed all state agencies to begin to revise their policies and regulations to recognize same-sex marriages performed in other jurisdictions, like Massachusetts, California and Canada... [source]

ALSO: Gay rights advocates score wins in NY, Calif.
By MICHAEL GORMLEY – 6 hours ago from The AP (click here)

Thoughts?

N.Y. honors gay public employees' marriages

Planet Out

The state of New York is offering a special open enrollment period for state and local LGBT employees who were legally wed in Canada or anyplace else same-sex marriage is legal and want their partner to have benefits through the New York State Health Insurance Program.

The special enrollment period began May 1 and will conclude May 31, the Empire State Pride Agenda said in a written statement.

"This policy furthers Gov. Spitzer's recently announced intention to create civil marriage equality for all New Yorkers,"

said commissioner Nancy G. Groenwegen in a statement issued by the state Department of Civil Service.

"Health insurance benefits are an important part of the advantages and protections extended to married couples regardless of sex," Groenwegen said.

Based on an initiative that was announced alongside Gov. Eliot Spitzer's marriage bill, 800 local government entities across the state that participate in NYSHIP's Empire Plan are now required to offer spousal benefits to the partners of LGBT employees.

"We are glad New York is moving to provide state and local government employees who are married to same-sex spouses access to the same benefits all other married government workers receive," said Alan Van Capelle, executive director of the Empire State Pride Agenda.

"Having access to employer-based benefits for a spouse is fundamental to being able to take care of one's family. This decision by the makes families stronger in New York."(The Advocate)