N.Y. Ban on Same-Sex Marriage Struck Down

UPDATE 02/05/2005 - NYC to Appeal Same-Sex Marriage Ruling

It’s about time we got some good news! I wonder if this will have an effect over the charges being reinstated against Jason West? At least, today is a good day for justice.

A judge declared Friday that a law banning same-sex marriage violates the state constitution, a first-of-its-kind ruling in New York that would clear the way for gay couples to wed if it survives on appeal.

Gay rights activists hailed the ruling as a historic victory that “delivers the state Constitution's promise of equality to all New Yorkers.”

“The court recognized that unless gay people can marry, they are not being treated equally under the law,” said Susan Sommer, a Lambda Legal Defense Fund lawyer who presented the case for five couples who brought the lawsuit. “Same-sex couples need the protections and security marriage provides, and this ruling says they’re entitled to get them the same way straight couples do.”

State Supreme Court Justice Doris Ling-Cohan ruled that the New York City clerk could not deny a license to any couple solely on the ground that the two are of the same sex.

The city Law Department issued a statement saying only, “We are reviewing the decision thoroughly and considering our options.” (source)

Other reading on this

Judge clears way for gay marriage
The Beginning of the End of DOMA
Same-Sex Marriage In New York