N.Y. ban on same-sex marriage struck down

[sunshine]

NEW YORK - A judge declared Friday that a law banning same-sex marriage violates the state constitution, a ruling that would allow gay couples to wed if it is upheld on appeal.

AP Photo

Slideshow: Same-Sex Marriage Issues

State Supreme Court Justice Doris Ling-Cohan ruled in favor of five gay couples who were denied marriage licenses last year.

Mary Jo Kennedy and Jo-Ann Shain, one of the couples, said they were thrilled by the ruling and believed it would offer their family increased legal protection. They have been together 23 years and have a 15-year-old daughter.

"We're just overjoyed," said Shain. "We didn't think it would ever happen.

Kennedy said she wants to marry Shain as soon as possible. "I can't wait," she said. "We went to buy a (marriage) license in March 2004 and couldn't get it. That's what started this whole thing."

The city Law Department issued a statement saying only, "We are reviewing the decision thoroughly and considering our options."

[Cotuit]

This is great news, it will likely be appealed, but they are on the way. This is basically the same ruling that the Massachusetts SJC made.

[sunshine]

Lets see what Bush will do about it....

[Cotuit]

Lets see what Bush will do about it....

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He's a state rights proponent, but only when it suits him.

[sunshine]

That's not much diffrent from being a dictator.

[waccamatt]

That's not much diffrent from being a dictator.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I think you hit the nail on the head!

[monsoon]

He's a state rights proponent, but only when it suits him.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

For sure. His circumventing of the 2000 Florida State Election process by having the US Supreme Ct. stop the recount is the most blatent example of this. There is no basis in the Constitution for them to do this. Gore and the Democrats deserved to lose the election for refusing to fight them on this.