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The rights of homosexual couples, legally recognized in other states of the nation, could be accepted in New York City upon approval of new local legislation.
The measure known as Intro 144-A, presented yesterday before the General Welfare Committee of the City Council, would permit homosexual couples to enjoy the same rights as heterosexual couples.
If you are in a heterosexual marriage and come from another state, when you come to New York City that marriage is recognized and treated as a legal union explains City Councilman Bill Perkins (D-Harlem). Unfortunately, that is not the case for couples of the same sextheir union was legally recognized in another state, but they cant demand those rights in New York City, Perkins added.
Perkins said that this problem became even more evident after September 11th. During that extremely difficult time for many of the friends of people who died in the terrorist attacks, homosexuals were denied the financial benefits given to the victims families. They didnt get the ashes of their loved ones, either, Perkins said.
The states of California, Vermont and Hawaii actually have laws that permit the legalization of same sex marriages, known as Domestic Parnership. The rights for those who have access to legal homosexual marriages include dividing up medical insurance among the municipal employees, visitation rights in hospitals, permission to care for children during parental absence, and, in the event that one spouse dies, the survivor can receive inheritance and other benefits like the health insurance or life insurance, when the partner is named the beneficiary. Once the law is approved, it will cover New York City, and, according to Perkins, it will be the driving force for similar legislation in Albany, which will affect the entire state.
The measure known as Intro 144-A, presented yesterday before the General Welfare Committee of the City Council, would permit homosexual couples to enjoy the same rights as heterosexual couples.
If you are in a heterosexual marriage and come from another state, when you come to New York City that marriage is recognized and treated as a legal union explains City Councilman Bill Perkins (D-Harlem). Unfortunately, that is not the case for couples of the same sextheir union was legally recognized in another state, but they cant demand those rights in New York City, Perkins added.
Perkins said that this problem became even more evident after September 11th. During that extremely difficult time for many of the friends of people who died in the terrorist attacks, homosexuals were denied the financial benefits given to the victims families. They didnt get the ashes of their loved ones, either, Perkins said.
The states of California, Vermont and Hawaii actually have laws that permit the legalization of same sex marriages, known as Domestic Parnership. The rights for those who have access to legal homosexual marriages include dividing up medical insurance among the municipal employees, visitation rights in hospitals, permission to care for children during parental absence, and, in the event that one spouse dies, the survivor can receive inheritance and other benefits like the health insurance or life insurance, when the partner is named the beneficiary. Once the law is approved, it will cover New York City, and, according to Perkins, it will be the driving force for similar legislation in Albany, which will affect the entire state.