A Great Day in the Course of Equality

From the NY Times:

February 4, 2005

Judge Rejects N.Y. Ban on Same-Sex Marriage

By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Filed at 2:49 p.m. ET

NEW YORK (AP) -- 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.

We all rejoice in this ruling by a justice who sees the inherent inequality of denying gay and lesbian citizens the right to marry.

Well done Judge Ling-Cohan!! May God bless you for your wisdom and courage.