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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PR- 117-05
March 31, 2005

STATEMENT BY MAYOR MICHAEL R. BLOOMBERG ON COURT OF APPEALS DECISION NOT TO HEAR SAME SEX MARRIAGE CASE

"As I have made clear, it is my belief that marriage should be open to gay and lesbian couples, and it is my responsibility to see that when licenses are issued, they are irrevocable and backed by the full weight of the law.  The Court of Appeals decision not to review this case without an intermediate court ruling, after four conflicting trial court decisions, unfortunately will not give the gay and lesbian community clarity on this important issue as quickly as I had hoped.

"This is an issue of statewide importance involving court cases with both Attorney General Spitzer and the City.  If, after the courts review the cases, it is ultimately deemed that same-sex marriage is permissible, New York City will immediately issue marriage licenses to gay and lesbian couples.  In the event the courts deem these marriages impermissible under existing law, we will work with the community and our State legislators to change that law."







MEDIA CONTACT:


Edward Skyler / Robert Lawson   (212) 788-2958




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