Gay marriage fight headed for New Jersey

A national gay rights group says it will file a lawsuit in a New Jersey court today on behalf of seven same-sex couples who have been denied marriage licenses.

Lawyers say they'll argue that the state is violating the plaintiffs' right to equal protection, since by not being eligible for marriage they lose out on things like spousal inheritance rights and Social Security benefits when a partner dies.

The lead attorney for the group says the suit seeks to ensure that "same-sex couples are treated no different than heterosexual couples." He says not being able to marry makes them "second-class citizens."

Groups that oppose gay marriage say they'll try to head off the effort by seeking legislation that would prohibit same-sex unions.

Protesters decry bill to add gays, lesbians to N.Y. human rights law

JIM KINNEY, The Saratogian

June 26, 2002

Protester John Cain hands out pamphlets on Broadway Tuesday afternoon outside the office of state Senate Majority Leader Joseph Bruno. CLARK BELL/The Saratogian

SARATOGA SPRINGS -- Four activists decrying a state bill they say would ''teach homosexuality to all school children'' picketed the Saratoga Springs office of state Senate Majority Leader Joseph Bruno, R-Brunswick, Tuesday afternoon.

Bruno's spokesman, John McArdle said the proposed law would add lesbians and gays to the state's existing human rights law. Its aim is to stop discrimination against gays and lesbians in areas like housing and employment.

''It certainly provokes some controversy,'' McArdle said. ''It's under consideration in our house. We haven't decided what we are going to do with it yet.''

Some opponents contend that existing state laws already bar much that this bill prohibits, McArdle said.

The bill has already passed the Assembly, he said.

Protester John Cain of the Bronx said the bill would be the first step to allowing same-sex marriages in New York.

''It holds up sodomy as a normal lifestyle,'' Cain said.

Cain said he represents a Catholic organization called Morality in Media. Another protester came from Buffalo.

''We are anti-pornography and pro-family life,'' Cain said. ''We are also against abortion.''

Cain said Bruno is the only person who can stop the bill he calls ''evil'' from becoming law.

''He's about to let it out of committee,'' Cain said. ''He could have quashed it just like he could have quashed the women's health bill.''

Cain disagrees with the recently passed bill even though it passed with a conscience clause. Organizations opposed to birth control -- like the Catholic Church -- won't have to provide such coverage in medical plans if a majority of their employees vote not to have it included.

''You can't vote on morality,'' he said. ''Something is either moral or it's not.''

Police cited one protester, Paul Morrissey of Queens, with disorderly conduct.

Saratoga Springs Police Capt. Robert Flanagan said Morrissey, 62, used profanity and became verbally abusive to a police officer.

Cain and two others stuck with the protest all afternoon, getting into spirited debates with passersby. One woman tore up Cain's handout and threw it in his face.

''Some people are a little twisted,'' he said.

Gay men already have the same marriage rights as straigt men. They can marry any woman who will have them. And with that, they get all those beneficiary rights, inheritance rights, etc.

This is one tent flap you don't want to mess with. If "personal inclinations" or whatever you call it matter so much, can they really outlaw bigamy if all partners consent? How about the love a man feels for his horse? Or the little stable boy for that matter?

So far no state, including Vermont, has "gay marriage". That is to say, legally exactly equivalent to and officially termed "marriage". Once any state does, it's a done deal for the whole country.

Just as at present various states have slightly differing age requirements and cousin marriage laws, yet every state recognizes the legitimacy of all marriages performed in other states. This is not something that can legally be be localized to "gay" areas. Not without an act of Congress.

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