"If marriage means everything, it means absolutely nothing." Dr. James C. Dobson, of Focus on the Family.
"A loving man and woman in a committed relationship can marry. Dogs, no matter what their relationship, are not
allowed to marry. How should society treat gays and lesbians in committed relationships? As dogs or as humans?" A
posting to an Internet mailing list; used by permission of the author.
Overview:
Early 2004: There were a number of attempts to solemnize the marriages of
same-sex couples. None of the marriages was ever recognized and registered by
the state. Several misdemeanor charges were laid against those officiating. All
were dismissed.
2006-MAY: the New York Court of Appeals heard from a total of 44
couples requesting the right to marry. In 2006-JUL, the court found that New
Yorkers had no constitutional right to marriage, but that the legislature could
legalize SSM if it wished.
2007-APR-27: Governor Eliot Spitzer introduced a bill to legalize SSM in
the Assembly and Senate. It did not become law
2008-FEB-01: A New York state appeals court ruled unanimously that
same-sex marriages legally contracted out of state, including Canada, must be
recognized by the state. The case involved a lesbian couple who went to Canada,
became married, returned to their home in New York state, and were refused
recognition of their marriage.
2008-MAY-14: New York State Governor David Paterson instructed state agencies to recognize same-sex marriages that have legally
been performed in other jurisdictions.
2008-SEP-03: The fundamentalist Christian Alliance
Defense Fund did not succeed in its courts challenge of state
recognition of out-of-state same-sex marriages. The case is expected to be
appealed.