For Immediate Release
June 20, 2007
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Media Contact:
Noel Alicea, 212.367.1216
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GMHC APPLAUDS STATE ASSEMBLY FOR PASSING MARRIAGE EQUALITY
Gay Men's Health Crisis (GMHC) applauds the New York State Assembly for taking an historic step and passing legislation to create civil marriage equality in New York State.
This move by the Assembly marks only the second time in American history that a state legislative body has spoken out and passed full marriage rights under state law to same-sex couples. This brings New York State one step closer to providing full equal protections to same-sex couples and their families, as do our neighbors in Massachusetts and Canada. By passing this bill in the full Legislature and getting the Governor's signature, New York would become only the second state in the union to afford full equality to all couples under state law.
"New York can lead the country by being the first state to legalize marriage equality through its legislature," said Marjorie J. Hill, Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer of GMHC.
The legal ramifications of marriage reach far and wide and would undoubtedly go a long way to protect same-sex couples and their families in their daily lives. The physical, mental, and financial well-being of same-sex couples would be greatly bolstered by receiving the privileges, protections, and responsibilities afforded by marriage.
Marriage equality will afford same-sex couple and their families critical protections in the health care system. These include the ability to make health care decisions for one's partner and children in time of crisis. Marriage equality will also improve economic security and provide legal protections to parents and children.
"Coming just one week after the Massachusetts legislature defended marriage equality by defeating an anti-gay ballot measure, we applaud the New York State Assembly's historic vote and call on Senate Majority Leader Bruno to make history by sending this to Governor Spitzer to sign," continued Dr. Hill.
This bill, introduced by Assemblymember Daniel O'Donnell, extends to same-sex couples the same basic human rights available to their heterosexual peers. The bill acknowledges the value of individuals in same-sex couples. We firmly believe that this recognition is a direct challenge to the homophobia which continues to fuel HIV and AIDS.
Marriage equality is one of the main goals of GMHC's state policy agenda. Along with HIV prevention and access to affordable, quality health care, equal rights is one of the three pillars of our legislative priorities.
We thank Assemblymembers O'Donnell, Deborah Glick, Matthew Titone, and Richard Gottfried for their leadership and conviction in the Assembly, as well as our partners in the community, particularly Empire State Pride Agenda and Marriage Equality New York, for their diligence to ensure equal treatment for all of New York's families.
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Gay Men's Health Crisis (GMHC) is a not-for-profit, volunteer-supported
and community-based organization committed to national leadership in the
fight against AIDS. Our mission is to reduce the spread of HIV disease,
help people with HIV maintain and improve their health and independence,
and keep the prevention, treatment and cure of HIV an urgent national and
local priority. In fulfilling this mission, we will remain true to our
heritage by fighting homophobia and affirming the individual dignity of
all gay men and lesbians. We provide services and programs to over
15,000 men, women and families that are living with or affected by
HIV/AIDS in New York City. For more information, please visit www.gmhc.org.
© 2007 Gay Men's Health Crisis
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