Full question:
I live in New York. I like to marry a person of the same sex. I want to know the legal validity of such marriages. Is it possible to have same-sex marriages in New York?
- Category: Marriage
- Date:
- State: New York
Answer:
Same-sex marriages are legally recognized in New York under the Marriage Equality Act, 2011. Same-sex couples have the same access as others to the protections, responsibilities, rights, obligations, and benefits of civil marriage. Thus, as same-sex marriages are recognized under New York Law, it is possible for you to marry a person of the same sex. It is provided under NY CLS Dom Rel § 10-a. It reads as follows:"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.
2. 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 of law.”
2. 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 of law.”
This content is for informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Legal statutes mentioned reflect the law at the time the content was written and may no longer be current. Always verify the latest version of the law before relying on it.
