Judge Rules Against Gay Couples in N.Y.

[truthpusher]

http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=519&u=/ap/20050224/ap_on_re_us/gay_marriage_new_york&printer=1

Judge Rules Against Gay Couples in N.Y.

1 hour, 24 minutes ago

ITHACA, N.Y. - A judge has ruled against a group of same-sex couples who challenged the state's anti-gay marriage law after they were denied marriage licenses.

The 25 couples sued the city of Ithaca and the state last June, arguing that the law contradicts a 2002 New York statute outlawing discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation.

But State Supreme Court Judge Robert Mulvey rejected that argument Wednesday, saying it is up to the Legislature to change the law, not the courts.

"Social perceptions of same-sex civil contracts may change over time," Mulvey wrote in his ruling. "If that day comes, it is within the province of the Legislature to so act."

story: http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=519&u=/ap/20050224/ap_on_re_us/gay_marriage_new_york&printer=1

[Bluebear]

1. Well at least the Pope will be pleased

since gay marriage is the "ideology of evil".

[d.l.Green]

2. But it's not up to the judge to make that distinction, no? And how is

a judicial ruling considered "changing the law"- it is upholding it by interpreting it. It may be a "precedent", yes, but even "precedent's" don't have to be followed in future cases- as they are considered on a case by case basis, no? Even so, isn't there a higher court- Court of Appeals?- that this can still go through?

[TheWraith]

5. Yes, two higher courts

Our courts in NY are strange--the 'Supreme Court' is actually the lowest statewide court. The next one up I forget the name of, but it might be something like Court of Intermediate Appeals. And the highest is the Court of Appeals.

[mahatmakanejeeves]

3. yeah, but

is there not a similar case, based on a favorable (to the couples) ruling in New York City maybe two weeks ago, being appealed by Bloomberg to the Court of Appeals?

'Scuse me if I get the names of the courts in NY state mixed up; I'm not from there.

[LeftPeopleFinishFirst]

4. And supposedly, Ithaca is one of the most liberal small cities in NY.

:(