The New York State Court of Appeals, the state’s highest court, will hear the appeals of four plaintiffs tomorrow in the case that could make same-sex marriage legal in New York City. The Court will broadcast the proceedings live from their Web site starting at 2:00 p.m. EDT.
Lawyers for New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg will argue the case against same-sex marriage. Paradoxically, Mayor Bloomberg reiterated his support for same-sex marriage yesterday. He claims he filed his contradictory appeal because he was required to on the basis of current law. In his weekly radio address yesterday, he elaborated:
I do not believe that government should be in the business of telling us who we can and can’t marry. As Mayor, I have an obligation to enforce the laws of the City and State, but I also have an equal obligation to work to change laws that I do not believe are in our City’s best interest.
He says that if the Court rules for same-sex marriages in NYC, city officials will perform them. If not, he will work with lesbian city Council Speaker Christine Quinn and others to legalize it through the state legislature.
According to 365gay.com, Bloomberg also stated that if same-sex marriage in NYC is legalized tomorrow, “gay and lesbian partners could immediately head to City Hall.” Hmm. According to the City Clerk’s office, marriages are only performed until 3:45 p.m. Unless the ruling comes very quickly, this will be tough. Maybe they’ll keep the doors open late. Keep in mind, too, that there’s a mandatory 24-hour waiting period between filing for a marriage license and having a ceremony, unless you obtain a judicial waiver.
This means that those lucky enough to get marriage licenses tomorrow would be married on June 1, the first day of Pride Month. Let’s see . . . $35 per license plus $25 per ceremony, times how many visitors in town for Pride festivities, not to mention the natives? I don’t doubt Bloomberg’s commitment to fairness, but I also have to admire his business acumen for timing it so well.
If same-sex marriage is legalized, I’m hoping that the number of commuters to and from NYC means an administrative nightmare unless the state legalizes it everywhere, and that this bodes well for neighboring New Jersey’s upcoming ruling as well. As a resident of New York State, but not the city, I’m also curious as to whether same-sex couples who are not NYC residents will be able to marry there, or whether the state will pull a Massachusetts on us. Stay tuned for a very exciting 24 hours, regardless.
Update, Wednesday, May 31: The Court of Appeals heard the arguments and is now pondering them. A decision could come at any time, but I have not yet heard speculation on when it’s most likely to be. You can visit the Court Web site to listen to a Webcast of the hearing, or read a summary on 365gay.com.