Politics & Government

RVC Gay Rights Advocate: A Very Good Day for U.S.

The Supreme Court ruled Wednesday that the federal government cannot deny legally married same-sex couples the same federal benefits enjoyed by heterosexual couples, striking down the Defense of Marriage Act in a 5-4 ruling.

The much-anticipated ruling means the federal government must recognize gay marriages in the 12 states in the U.S. that have legalized gay marriages, including New York.

“Today was a very good day, not just for me and my family, but all of America. Our family in the eyes of the federal government is no different from anyone else,” said Jeffrey Friedman, a Rockville Centre resident and attorney who lobbied for the passage of same-sex marriage in Albany for five years. “I’m speechless, quite frankly. Right now, it was as good as I thought it would be.”

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Friedman, who married his husband Andrew Zwerin in 2008 in California, said that currently they have to pay an additional $5,000 to $8,000 in taxes because they can’t file a joint federal return. The Supreme Court’s decision opens the door to further challenges and may result in changes to the tax code.

“This has a big impact for families like mine,” said Friedman, who ran for New York State Assembly against Brian Curran last year. “The pendulum has swung. It will be the fuel that ignites the fire on the quest for all LGBT people.”

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Steve Anchin, the Hewlett Democratic Zone Leader, praised the decision.

“It’s about time we expanded civil rights for all Americans, whatever their sexual orientation,” he said.

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