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Rochester
Gays and Lesbians React to Massachusetts Ruling
Considered to be one step further towards full equality
Gays and Lesbians throughout Rochester responded to
today's Massachusetts High Court Ruling with a mixture
of celebration and sadness.
"We
have had several telephone calls today wanting to know
the impact of the ruling on same sex couples in Rochester,"
said Chuck Bowen, Executive Director of the Gay Alliance
of the Genesee Valley.
Bowen
is referring to the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial  Court
decision issued today in which the court said that it
is unconstitutional to ban same-sex civil marriages
when it ruled in Goodridge et al v. Department of
Health in favor of seven same-sex couples whose
requests for marriage licenses had been denied
"Sadly,
at this point, it doesn't appear that the ruling has
any direct impact on New Yorkers," Bowen said.
"It is, however, one step closer towards removing
the second class citizenship that has branded gays and
lesbians for years."
Without
civil marriage, 1,049 protections, rights and responsibilities
granted by the federal government are not available
to same-sex couples. These include taxes, benefits for
veterans, social security, wills, child support, immigration,
pension and many others. It also means that another
700 rights available to citizens of New York are not
extended to Gays and Lesbians.
The
Gay Alliance estimates there are over 4,000 same-sex
households in Monroe County alone.
"As
Americans, Gays and Lesbians in the State of New York
are not considered equal under the law because of the
almost 1,800 rights and responsibilities that are denied
us. Even though we have the inherent right of freedom,
many of our elected officials have used fear, prejudice
and the pressures from the selfish religious right to
deny us basic civil liberties including the ability
to love whom we chose," said Bowen.
The
Gay Alliance continues to work to educate the Rochester
Community about Gays and Lesbians. "Education is
the key," said Bowen. "Through our Inclusive
Culture in the Workplace Project, we are finding that
Rochester is open to learning and understanding more
about us."
11/18/03
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