New Yorkers Support Recognition Of Gay Marriages

by 365Gay.com Newscenter Staff

Posted: June 12, 2008 - 3:00 pm ET

(New York City) A majority of New Yorkers say they support Gov. David Paterson’s executive order recognizing the marriages of same-sex couples who were married in areas where they are legal according to new survey of likely voters.

The Quinnipiac University poll found that 53 percent agree with Paterson's order last month to state agencies. Forty percent were opposed.

But at the same time, voters said by 55 to 30 percent that that it should been decided by the legislature not the governor.

Paterson issued the ruling last month after a court in Monroe County ruled that gay marriages in other jurisdictions must be upheld in New York.

Even though New York State recognizes same-sex marriages performed in areas where they are legal, gay and lesbian couples cannot marry in New York.

In 2006 the New York Court of Appeals, the state's highest court, ruled that same-sex couples do not have a constitutional right to marry. It said that the issue, however, could be taken up by the Legislature.

Last year, then-Gov. Eliot Spitzer became the first governor in the country to introduce same-sex marriage legislation.

The bill passed the Democrat-controlled Assembly last June but Republicans who control the Senate have refused to consider the legislation.

Republicans and conservative social action groups have filed a lawsuit against Paterson over his executive order.

Thursday's Quinnipiac also asked New Yorkers if same-sex couples should be allowed to marry or form civil unions in the state.

Forty-two percent said same-sex couples should be allowed to legally marry; 31 percent favored civil unions, but not marriage; and 21 percent said there should be no legal recognition of same-sex unions in any form.