A Civil Union Statute for New York State

Resolution Adopted by the NY State Democratic Convention

New York City – May 23, 2002 

 

            WHEREAS, the New York State Democratic Party believes that all peoples should have equal rights before the law, regardless of their sexual orientation, and 

            WHEREAS, gay and lesbian couples in committed relationships do not presently have the same property, inheritance, and other legal rights that heterosexual married couples acquire when they marry, and 

            WHEREAS, our neighboring state of Vermont has successfully established the status of “Civil Union” for gay and lesbian couples who wish to have the legal rights, and accept the legal burdens and responsibilities, that heterosexual couples acquire when they marry, and 

            WHEREAS, based on our task force report last year, the New York State Democratic Committee overwhelmingly adopted a resolution at our December 2001 meeting calling for “legislation and other measures which ensure equal treatment of same-sex relationships and families,” and 

            WHEREAS, the aftermath of the horrific events of September 11^th have served to highlight the cruelly unequal treatment of lesbian and gay families which has resulted in terrible financial as well as personal losses to such families; and 

            WHEREAS, the Special Master of the September 11^th    Victim Compensation Fund has stated that he will look to state law in connection with the distribution of funds to lesbian and gay couples and families; and 

            WHEREAS, there is at this time no existing New York State law which would protect the rights of lesbian and gay families; and 

            WHEREAS, Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton supported a Civil Union statute for New York in her successful 2000 campaign, and both Carl McCall and Andrew Cuomo are supporting a Civil Union statute for New York in their campaigns for Governor, 

            NOW, THEREFORE, 

            BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED, that the New York State Democratic Committee calls for the prompt adoption of a “Civil Union” statute in this State. 

            Resolution written by Lawrence Moss, introduced by Mr. Moss and Rachel Lavine, Adopted by the Reform Caucus of the Democratic State Committee, and Adopted by the NY State Democratic Convention meeting in New York, NY on May 23, 2002.