New York to recognize Same Sex Marriages

Via the NYTimes. Gov Patterson has directed all state agencies to revise their policies to recognize unions/marriages performed by other polities such as those performed in Massachusetts, Canada and as of June 17 - California. The directive was issued to state agencies on May 14, and the Governor spoke with leaders of the LGBT tribe on May 17.

This is seen as a step toward NY State actually allowing the performance of Same Sex Marriages. Currently legislation has been passed by the lower house (it was introduced by the former Gov Spitzer) and has stalled in the Republican controlled Senate, where a vote has yet to be taken on the matter.

This has not stopped critics of Same Sex Marriage to declare that the Governor is circumventing the democratic process in an example of Executive Activism.

“It’s a perfect example of a governor overstepping his authority and sidestepping the democratic process,” said Brian Raum, senior legal counsel for the Alliance Defense Fund, a national organization opposed to same-sex marriage. “It’s an issue of public policy that should be decided by the voters.”

It will be interesting to see what Traditional-Marriage Activists if and when the measure does pass the NY Senate and get signed into law by the Governor. Will it be Governmental activism? Isn't that what we elect people to do?

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