TITLE OF BILL:
An act
to amend the domestic relations law, in relation to the ability to marry

PURPOSE:
The Marriage Equality Act amends the domestic relations law to grant
same-sex couples the ability to enter into civil marriages in New
York, while preserving the well-established constitutional and
statutory principles that no member of the clergy may be compelled to
perform any marriage ceremony. The Act also re-affirms that religious
institutions and benevolent organizations cannot be required to
participate in same-sex marriage ceremonies or celebrations.

SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1 of this bill is the short title, "Marriage Equality Act."

Section 2 of this bill would set forth legislative intent.

Section 3 of this bill would add a new Section 10-a to the Domestic
Relations Law (DRL) providing that: (1) a marriage that is otherwise
valid shall be valid regardless of whether the parties to the
marriage are of the same or different sex; (2) no government
treatment or legal status, effect, right, benefit, privilege,
protection or responsibility relating to marriage shall differ based
on the parties to the marriage being or having been of the same sex
rather than a different sex; and, (3) all relevant gender-specific
language set forth in or referenced by New York law shall be
construed in a gender-neutral manner.

Section 3 of this bill would add a new Section 10-b to the DRL to
re-affirm that legalizing marriage for same-sex couples would not
limit the protections and exemptions provided to benevolent
organizations and religious institutions.

Section 4 of the bill amends DRL S 13 to provide that no application
for a marriage license shall be denied on the ground that the parties
are of the same, or a different, sex.

Section 5 of the bill amends DRL . 11(1) to make clear that no member
of the clergy acting in such capacity may be required to perform any
marriage.

Letting gays marry is like letting gays marry