New York State Senator Liz Krueger: “Marriage Equality in New York: The Time Is Now.”
“I know that there are a significant number of Senators who do not support the bill, but believe it is our duty as a legislative body to have a meaningful debate on marriage equality and give every Senator an opportunity to publicly vote his or her conscience on this critical issue.”
“In such areas as property ownership, inheritance, health care, hospital visitation, taxation, insurance coverage, child custody, pension benefits and testimonial privileges, married couples have a host of important rights and protections. Denying gays and lesbians access to those benefits – as well as the many responsibilities which come with civil marriage – is a violation of the basic principle of equal protection.”