Homosexual New Paltz Mayor to Continue Same-Sex “Weddings” Despite 19 Criminal Charges

NEW PALTZ, N.Y., March 3, 2004 (lifeSiteNews.com) – The mayor of New Paltz has decided to go ahead with up to two-dozen homosexual “marriages” this weekend despite 19 criminal charges which have been laid, and the potential of time in jail.  “Our state constitution requires equal protection for all New Yorkers,” Jason West said on NBC’s “Today Show.” West claims that the New York Health Department is breaking the law by not granting marriage licenses to homosexuals.  Mayor John Shields of Nyack, north of New York, told the Associated Press that he is also going to start issuing the licenses later this week but not before he seeks a license to “marry” his homosexual partner from a municipal clerk on Friday. Same-sex activists have decided to blitz municipal offices throughout the state on Friday, seeking the licenses.  West, who has 1,000 same-sex couples on a waiting list, has already married 25 couples this past Friday. He is scheduled to appear in court on Wednesday evening, charged with “marrying” 19 couples he knew did not have marriage licenses – a violation of the state’s domestic relations law. “I think that the judge before whom this case will be heard will see that the constitution is clear on this, will see that our laws are clear on this and will see that these marriages are in fact legal,” he said. The misdemeanor charge carries with it a fine ranging from $25 to $500 or jail. Ulster County District Attorney Donald Williams told the AP that jail time is not being considered, but that more charges could be added if West continues to “marry” more couples. State officials may also be ordered to intervene to stop the marriages should West continue.  A spokesman for the New York Health Department last week said that the law only recognizes marriages between a man and a woman, and that the domestic relations law forbids same-sex “marriage”.  See related LifeSiteNews.com coverage:  “Chicago’s ‘Devout Catholic’ Mayor Daley Says ‘No Problem’ to Issuing Marriage Licences to Homosexuals” https://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2004/feb/04022007.html   “San Francisco Mayor to Issue Marriage Licence to Homosexual Couples” https://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2004/feb/04021105.html