NEW YORK (Reuters) - New York Attorney General Eliot Spitzer said on Wednesday the state's laws do not permit gay marriage, dealing a harsh blow to the growing nationwide battle for same-sex weddings.
Spurred to give an opinion after a small town mayor married gays last week, Spitzer said he personally supports the desire of same-sex couples to marry but must uphold the state's laws.
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know gays and lesbians want marriage and I respect their commitment to each other and I personally support their desire," Spitzer told a news conference.
But as state attorney general, he said he must put New York law before "my personal views or political considerations."
Spitzer said in a written analysis of state law that "The language of the New York State Domestic Relations Law -- which includes references to 'bride and groom' and 'husband and wife' -- does not authorize the issuance of licenses to same sex couples in New York."
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