One more reason to celebrate!
It’s official! The appellate court’s decision stands in New York State. Read it and weep, oh Maggie of the Very Closed Mind:
Today, New York’s highest court handed down a victory for many gay and lesbian couples throughout the state by letting stand an appellate court’s groundbreaking ruling that recognized same-sex couples’ valid out-of-state marriages.
“Today’s decision represents another step in the ongoing fight for human rights,” said Donna Lieberman, executive director of the New York Civil Liberties Union. “Each time a gay or lesbian couple’s marriage is recognized, it is a victory for familes and for fairness in New York State.”
[snip]
The case raised the issue of whether the longstanding “marriage recognition rule,†which requires New York State to recognize marriages that were solemnized outside the state, applies to gay and lesbian couples’ valid marriages. The court held that it does and that Martinez and Golden’s valid Canadian marriage at issue in the case is entitled to recognition.
“If a marriage is valid in the state or country in which the marriage took place, New York law generally requires the recognition of that marriage,†said Arthur Eisenberg, the NYCLU’s legal director. “This case involved a straightforward application of that principle.â€
I believe congratulations are in order here:
And to many others, whose pictures I did not, regrettably, get. So, was that bus trip to Albany worth it, everybody? I think so. We’ve already had a party, but that’s no reason not to celebrate again.
Hold the presses!
The court hasn’t made any ruling, nor has it validated our marriage.
The court merely sent the case back down to the lower court to resolve some small issues such as damages, attorney’s fees, etc.
The court sent the case back down because it wasn’t yet ready to be argued at the Court of Appeals. Once the lower court resolves the open issues, the case will be re-submitted to the Appellate Court for affirmation. Once that affirmation is received, the county may then apply for leave for appeal.
Hope this clarifies for you.
Well, strip me down and call me Lucy. My mistake in jumping the gun here. When will the madness end?
OK, Lucy.
This madness was caused by the press release from the NYCLU, which made it SEEM like this was more than it was.
But hey, consider this a rehearsal for when it REALLY happens!
[...] know Maggie Brooks has got to be irritated about this. We’ve reported at several points in the past how a county employee who happens to be gay (and married) brought suit [...]