Same Sex Marriages to be Fully Recognized by New York State

Signed into law by Governor Cuomo on June 24, 2011, and going into effect thirty days hence, the Marriage Equality Act grants same-sex couples the legal right to marry in New York State, and affords them all of the rights and privileges previously reserved for the traditional man-woman marriage. So as not to unduly intrude into religious or moral beliefs, the law also provides a type of immunity for any member of the clergy who refuses to officiate over a same-sex marriage, and for any religious institution or "benevolent corporation" (such as Knights of Columbus) that may refuse to rent a social hall to a same-sex couple. This should open up a floodgate of newly filed marriage licenses throughout New York State, and should also result in a large number of individuals who need to consider protecting themselves in the event of a divorce, with a prenuptial agreement, for example.