NEW CITY, N.Y. — A New York state judge upheld the state’s marriage laws Oct. 21 and refused to legalize same-sex “marriage.”
While the ruling by Justice Alfred Weiner of New York is a blow to homosexual activists, it is but one of several cases within the state seeking to overturn New York’s marriage laws. Cases by Lambda Legal and the American Civil Liberties Union are still pending. In addition, the lawyer involved in the losing case said he would appeal.
In similar action the Ohio Supreme Court refused Oct. 21 to take a constitutional marriage amendment off the November ballot, clearing the way for voters in the battleground state to have a say on the issue of same-sex “marriage.”
In a 6–1 ruling, the high court rejected arguments from opponents who asserted that the amendment’s ballot language was misleading, the Associated Press reported.
Although the amendment is winning in polls, it has generated some controversy. It would ban both same-sex “marriage” and civil unions, and possibly also prohibit domestic partner benefits at state universities. The governor and the state’s two U.S. senators oppose it, saying the domestic partner language would hurt Ohio’s economy. All three are Republicans.
A poll of Ohio voters conducted Oct. 11–17 shows that 57 percent support the amendment, while 40 percent oppose it. Minus the action of an intervening court 11 states voted on marriage amendments Nov. 2. (TAB)
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