Blatant Discrimination

New York Rules Against Gay Marriage

July 6, 2006 10:45 a.m. EST

Mary K. Brunskill - All Headline News Staff Writer

Albany, NY (AHN) - In a 4-2 decision, The New York Court of Appeals ruled Thursday that gay marriage is not permitted under state law.
The high court rejected arguments from gay and lesbian plaintiffs who said their constitutional rights were violated because they are not able to get marriage licenses in New York.
Plaintiff Kathy Burke of Schenectady told the AP, "It's a sad day for New York families. My family deserved the same protections as my next door neighbors." Burke is currently raising an 11-year-old son with her partner, Tonja Alvis.
Judge Robert Smith said any change in New York's marriage law should come from the state Legislature. He said the law is constitutional and explicitly limits marriage to between a man and a women.
Smith wrote, "We do not predict what people will think generations from now, but we believe the present generation should have a chance to decide the issue through its elected representatives."