http://www.nytimes.com/2004/02/27/nyregion/27CND-PALT.html?ex=1078549200&en=b08de9d2adead6da&ei=5062&partner=GOOGLE
NEW PALTZ, N.Y., Feb 27 ? Barry Nevins and his partner have been together as a couple for more than four years, and even exchanged rings and vows on a Caribbean cruise trip.
But today, angered by President Bush's call this week for a constitutional amendment banning gay marriages, they hoped to take their relationship one step further in New Paltz, where the mayor, Jason West, performed marriage ceremonies for same-sex couples today.
After making headlines in San Francisco and Massachusetts, the national debate over gay marriage migrated today to a smaller stage, the Hudson Valley community of New Paltz north of New York City, after Mr. West said that he would officiate at marriage ceremonies for up to a dozen gay couples.
The governor of New York, George E. Pataki, was weighing whether he should or even could issue an executive order to halt the proceedings, according to two state officials outside the administration. In a brief discussion with reporters, Mr. Pataki said that New York State law was clear and no new law was needed.
"This law states that a marriage is between a man and a woman," Mr. Pataki said, according to a transcript provided by his office. "Our attorneys are talking with the Health Department and with the attorney general's office to see what steps they may determine are appropriate."
Aides to Attorney General Eliot Spitzer said that he too was trying to figure out what the state's legal position should be on Mr. West's actions today.
Mr. West was unconcerned about any potential legal sanctions. "I will be performing these solemnizations for the foreseeable future," he said.
Billiam van Roestenberg and Jeffrey S. McGowan, both 39, were among the first to exchange vows.
Like in other parts of the United States, the event highlighted the divisions of opinion. Couples lined up outside of the village hall, some carrying flowers, while a few people carried signs of protest, including one that said: "Gay marriage not morally right.`
An official in the town clerk's office said that by law marriage licenses could not be given out to same-sex couples, and therefore the legal basis for the marriages performed today was in question.
The Village of New Paltz Web site called the ceremonies "gender-neutral" marriages. And Joshua Rosenkranz, a lawyer for the mayor, contended that under New York state domestic law, the marriage is valid once it is solemnized by an official or judge.
Mr. Nevins, a 42-year-old hospital administrator, said he had no idea whether his marriage to his partner, whom he declined to name, would be legally recognized any more than their Caribbean "marriage" three years ago.
But like many of the gay couples who are trying to get marriage licenses, that is not the whole point.
"It is a statement to say that no one has the right to tell me who I can marry," Mr. Nevins said in a telephone interview from the town clerk's office in New Paltz, where he was unable to get a license but instead was given directions to the mayor's office.
Mr. West, who is 26 and was elected last year on the Green Party ticket, has said that marriages for gay couples were a matter of equal rights.
He told CNN today that for a marriage to be legal in New York state it only has to be "properly solemnized by someone with authority to do so."
"As mayor I am fully able to do that and at noon today I start solemnizing marriages regardless of gender," Mr. West said.
On Tuesday, President Bush, citing San Francisco's decision to issue marriage licenses to gay couples despite state laws that appear to be to the contrary, said that the union of a man and woman is the most enduring human institution. He said he supported an amendment that would counteract "activist judges" who have issued rulings in favor of gay marriage.
More than 3,300 same-sex couples have gotten married in San Francisco since Feb. 12, and California courts are now considering legal challenges both to the marriages and the laws that forbid them.
Rosie O'Donnell, the comedian who has become a prominent advocate for gay rights since she announced she was a lesbian in 2002, married her partner of six years in San Francisco on Thursday, an act that she said was "inspired" by President Bush's remarks.
In addition to New Paltz, the mayors of Schenectady and Plattsburgh were also considering allowing same-sex marriage ceremonies, according to one state official, who insisted on anonymity because with events moving so quickly the official did not want to be seen as encouraging or discouraging such actions.
Today, television trucks converged on New Paltz, located not far from the Hudson river and the Shawangunk Mountains, a ridge of rugged and rocky cliffs popular with rock climbers.
"This would have to be the largest coverage of New Paltz since I joined the department 28 years ago," said the township's police chief, Raymond K. Zappone.
Mr. Nevins said he and his partner drove two hours to reach the mayor's office.
"Gay and lesbian people have been persecuted and oppressed," he said. "If Rosie O'Donnell can go and get married, I think we can too."
Marc Santora contributed reporting for this article from Albany, Thomas Crampton contributed reporting from New Paltz and Christine Hauser reported from New York City.
NEW PALTZ, N.Y., Feb 27 ? Barry Nevins and his partner have been together as a couple for more than four years, and even exchanged rings and vows on a Caribbean cruise trip.
But today, angered by President Bush's call this week for a constitutional amendment banning gay marriages, they hoped to take their relationship one step further in New Paltz, where the mayor, Jason West, performed marriage ceremonies for same-sex couples today.
After making headlines in San Francisco and Massachusetts, the national debate over gay marriage migrated today to a smaller stage, the Hudson Valley community of New Paltz north of New York City, after Mr. West said that he would officiate at marriage ceremonies for up to a dozen gay couples.
The governor of New York, George E. Pataki, was weighing whether he should or even could issue an executive order to halt the proceedings, according to two state officials outside the administration. In a brief discussion with reporters, Mr. Pataki said that New York State law was clear and no new law was needed.
"This law states that a marriage is between a man and a woman," Mr. Pataki said, according to a transcript provided by his office. "Our attorneys are talking with the Health Department and with the attorney general's office to see what steps they may determine are appropriate."
Aides to Attorney General Eliot Spitzer said that he too was trying to figure out what the state's legal position should be on Mr. West's actions today.
Mr. West was unconcerned about any potential legal sanctions. "I will be performing these solemnizations for the foreseeable future," he said.
Billiam van Roestenberg and Jeffrey S. McGowan, both 39, were among the first to exchange vows.
Like in other parts of the United States, the event highlighted the divisions of opinion. Couples lined up outside of the village hall, some carrying flowers, while a few people carried signs of protest, including one that said: "Gay marriage not morally right.`
An official in the town clerk's office said that by law marriage licenses could not be given out to same-sex couples, and therefore the legal basis for the marriages performed today was in question.
The Village of New Paltz Web site called the ceremonies "gender-neutral" marriages. And Joshua Rosenkranz, a lawyer for the mayor, contended that under New York state domestic law, the marriage is valid once it is solemnized by an official or judge.
Mr. Nevins, a 42-year-old hospital administrator, said he had no idea whether his marriage to his partner, whom he declined to name, would be legally recognized any more than their Caribbean "marriage" three years ago.
But like many of the gay couples who are trying to get marriage licenses, that is not the whole point.
"It is a statement to say that no one has the right to tell me who I can marry," Mr. Nevins said in a telephone interview from the town clerk's office in New Paltz, where he was unable to get a license but instead was given directions to the mayor's office.
Mr. West, who is 26 and was elected last year on the Green Party ticket, has said that marriages for gay couples were a matter of equal rights.
He told CNN today that for a marriage to be legal in New York state it only has to be "properly solemnized by someone with authority to do so."
"As mayor I am fully able to do that and at noon today I start solemnizing marriages regardless of gender," Mr. West said.
On Tuesday, President Bush, citing San Francisco's decision to issue marriage licenses to gay couples despite state laws that appear to be to the contrary, said that the union of a man and woman is the most enduring human institution. He said he supported an amendment that would counteract "activist judges" who have issued rulings in favor of gay marriage.
More than 3,300 same-sex couples have gotten married in San Francisco since Feb. 12, and California courts are now considering legal challenges both to the marriages and the laws that forbid them.
Rosie O'Donnell, the comedian who has become a prominent advocate for gay rights since she announced she was a lesbian in 2002, married her partner of six years in San Francisco on Thursday, an act that she said was "inspired" by President Bush's remarks.
In addition to New Paltz, the mayors of Schenectady and Plattsburgh were also considering allowing same-sex marriage ceremonies, according to one state official, who insisted on anonymity because with events moving so quickly the official did not want to be seen as encouraging or discouraging such actions.
Today, television trucks converged on New Paltz, located not far from the Hudson river and the Shawangunk Mountains, a ridge of rugged and rocky cliffs popular with rock climbers.
"This would have to be the largest coverage of New Paltz since I joined the department 28 years ago," said the township's police chief, Raymond K. Zappone.
Mr. Nevins said he and his partner drove two hours to reach the mayor's office.
"Gay and lesbian people have been persecuted and oppressed," he said. "If Rosie O'Donnell can go and get married, I think we can too."
Marc Santora contributed reporting for this article from Albany, Thomas Crampton contributed reporting from New Paltz and Christine Hauser reported from New York City.
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