On Wednesday, marriage equality bills in New York were formally introduced in the legislature.
"Here's the main change in the language: The domestic relations law is amended by adding a new section 2 10-a to read as follows: 3 § 10-a. Sex of parties. 1.
A marriage that is otherwise valid shall be valid regardless of whether
the parties to the marriage are of the same or different sex. No
government treatment or legal status, effect, right, benefit,
privilege, protection or responsibility relating to marriage, whether
deriving from statute, administrative or court rule, public policy,
common law or any other source of law, shall differ based on the
parties to the marriage being or having been of the same sex rather
than a different sex. When necessary to implement the rights and
responsibilities of spouses under the law, all gender-specific language
or terms shall be construed in a gender-neutral manner in all such
sources oflaw."
The Senate bill, which will need 32 votes to pass, is sponsored by Sen. Thomas Duane, D-Manhattan, and has 18 Democratic co-sponsors: Adams,
Breslin, Dilan, Espada, Craig Johnson, Klein, Krueger, Montgomery,
Oppenheimer, Parker, Perkins, Savino, Schneiderman, Serrano, Squadron,
Stavisky, Stewart-Cousins and Thompson.
The Assembly bill, which should pass, is sponsored by Daniel O'Donnell and has 53 co-sponsors.
Watch Daniel O'Donnell and Tom Duane speak at the announcement of the introduction of the legislation two weeks ago HERE.