N.Y. policy illegally honoring outside same-sex “marriages” contested

ALBANY, N.Y. — In defense of marriage in New York, attorneys with the Alliance Defense Fund filed their opening brief in a New York appellate court Monday to prevent officials from illegally recognizing same-sex “marriages” conducted outside the state.

“New York state agencies should respect the state’s marriage laws over the laws of foreign jurisdictions,” said ADF Senior Legal Counsel Brian Raum.  “New York’s marriage laws are not arbitrary; they are designed to protect families and children.  By redefining ‘spouse’ to include same-sex partners ‘wed’ outside of New York, officials are illegally undermining this public policy and replacing it with the marriage laws of foreign countries, to which the people of New York have not consented.”

On behalf of New York taxpayers, ADF attorneys filed a lawsuit and later filed an appeal against the New York State Department of Civil Service in 2007 after officials effectively gave state marriage benefits to same-sex couples by redefining the term “spouse”.

“This is an example of a government agency’s attempt not only to recognize same-sex ‘marriage’ from across the border but also across the board.  That is exactly what the Department of Civil Service has stated,” said Raum.

ADF is a legal alliance of Christian attorneys and like-minded organizations defending the right of people to freely live out their faith.  Launched in 1994, ADF employs a unique combination of strategy, training, funding, and litigation to protect and preserve religious liberty, the sanctity of life, marriage, and the family.