Green Party of New York State
www.gpnys.org
Treichler for Attorney General Campaign 2006
www.voterachel.org
June 22, 2006
For More Information: Rachel Treichler, 607-569-2114,
rachel@voterachel.org
Hammondsport -- Rachel Treichler, the Green Party candidate for attorney general, announced today
that, if elected, she will prosecute any city or town clerk who refuses to issue a marriage
license to two persons on the grounds that they are of the same sex.
"It is clear that the Domestic Relations Law does
not limit marriage to couples who are of opposite sex," Treichler said.
"Unlike the marriage laws of nearly every other state, the New York Domestic Relations Law does not specifically
address, and certainly does not prohibit, marriages by same-sex couples. A same-sex couple
can easily satisfy our state's two statutory prerequisites to marriage: being of the proper
age, and being capable in law of making a contract. Marriages of same-sex couples not
among the categories of marriages the New York legislature has declared void or voidable.
"While most other states have expressly barred marriages between two people of the same sex, the
New York legislature has not--despite ample opportunity.
"The plain language of the Domestic Relations Law --reinforced by the legislature's considered
decision in recent years not to bar marriage by same-sex couples--permits
same-sex couples to marry in New York."
"It would therefore be a violation of the law for
a city or town clerk to refuse to issue a marriage license to a same-sex
couple and I will prosecute any clerk who so refuses," Treichler said.
Treichler will join the Green Party's other statewide candidates for LGBT Pride Week events
in New York City this weekend.
On June 24, Treichler, Alison Duncan, Green Party candidate for lt. governor, and Julia Willebrand,
Green Party candidate for comptroller, will join the Dyke March to support the right of lesbians
to be free from discrimination, harassment and violence. The march is at 5:00 pm at Sixth Ave.
and 42nd St. in New York City.
Candidate Website:
Rachel Treichler for Attorney General
http://www.voterachel.org/
