Updated 07/09/2011 05:40 PM
New guide offers insight to questions surrounding same sex marriage
It has been a couple of weeks now since same sex marriage was legalized in New York State, making it the sixth state in the U.S. to pass the measure, and while the law doesn't take effect until later this month, couples have many questions surrounding the new law and their rights. YNN’s Katie McGowan has more on an online guide that has been set up to address some of those concerns.
To view our videos, you need to
enable JavaScript. Learn how.
install Adobe Flash 9 or above. Install now.
Then come back here and refresh the page.
NEW YORK STATE -- Same sex marriage was passed in New York State on June 24th. Starting Sunday, July 24th, gay and lesbian couples will have the opportunity to get their marriage licenses.
For many couples planning a wedding, it can be a stressful time, but an attorney for NYCLU Genesee Valley, Kaelyn Rich, says same sex couples have extra worries over both planning a wedding and understanding the legalities of their marriage.
"What kind of benefit am I going to get from marriage, what kind of things might be an impediment to getting marriage in New York, when should I consult an attorney, my parental right, how does it affect adoption, and those types of things,” said Kaelyn Rich, NYCLU Genesee Valley.
The guide offers legal advice from attorneys, and goes over the nuts and bolts surrounding the same sex marriage law.
Rich says the new law impacts 42,000 couples in New York State. She says this guide is a huge help to those couples.
The "know your rights" guide is currently only online but there will be a printed version available in the coming weeks.
If you would like to take a look at the online same sex marriage guide, you can find it on the NYCLU's website at NYCLU.org.