On Tuesday, June 3, 2008, a diverse group of New York taxpayers, represented by the Alliance Defense Fund (ADF), filed for an injunction to block Governor Paterson’s directive allowing New York State to recognize same-sex marriages performed in other jurisdictions. On Tuesday, July 15, 2008, the first hearing on this legal challenge now known as Golden v. Paterson was held.

The hearing was before the Honorable Lucy A. Billings at the Supreme Court of the State of New York in the Bronx.

Plaintiffs in the lawsuit include Senator Martin Golden (R-Brooklyn), Senator Serphin Maltese (R-Queens), Assembly Minority Leader James Tedisco (R-Schenectady), Assemblyman Brian Kolb (R-Canandaigua), Assemblyman Daniel Burling (R-Warsaw), Assemblyman Michael Fitzpatrick (R-Smithtown) and Assemblyman Michael Cole (R-Alden).  Pro-family leaders joining in the litigation include Rev. Duane Motley and Rev. Jason McGuire, Mr. Michael Long and Ms. Shaun Marie Levine of the Conservative Party of New York State, and Mr. Stephen Hayford, Esq. of the Coalition to Save Marriage in New York State.

Rev. Jason McGuire, New Yorkers for Constitutional Freedoms’ Legislative Director stated, “Legal action is not something that we like to enter into, nor do we take it lightly. But marriage is a sacred institution; it is, and always will be, the union of a man and a woman. New Yorkers for Constitutional Freedoms will do everything in its power to protect marriage from being redefined according to the preferences of a small, but vocal, special interest group.”

The lawsuit, filed by ADF attorneys on behalf of the New York lawmakers and taxpayers, asserts that the Governor acted beyond his authority in issuing the directive and that implementation of it will cause a wrongful expenditure of taxpayer funds in a state where same-sex marriage is not legal.

ADF Senior Legal Counsel Brian Raum believes, “The Governor should respect New York’s marriage laws over the laws of foreign jurisdictions.  The Governor has no authority to issue directives which conflict with New York’s public policy.  His actions are an assault on the democratic process.”

New Yorker’s Family Research Foundation calls upon Christians across New York State to unite in prayer for these hearings. This is only the first step in this battle and a decision is not expected for some time, but if Christians are going to experience the victory in this fight, it will only come because God has heard and answered our prayer.