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Dozens Of Judges Volunteering To Officiate Gay Marriages Next Sunday
By
Ben Yakas
Published Jul 15, 2011
Modified Jul 15, 2011
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By
Ben Yakas
Published Jul 15, 2011
Modified Jul 15, 2011
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There's a reason that God rested on the seventh day—nobody wants to work on Sundays! And judging by this NY Times article today, you know who particularly loathes working on Sundays? Judges. But several dozen judges across the state are voluntarily putting their golf clubs in storage in order to work Sunday July 24, the day that same-sex marriage becomes legal. “I’m a Family Court judge — I’m a judge for families — and I saw this as a way for me to do my job," said Judge Joan S. Kohout.
The Times spoke with several of the judges ('with a range of political perspectives") who are volunteering to work that day, and many spoke with enthusiasm about being able to officiate the first legal gay marriages in the state, calling it a public service. “I think it’s important, that people who have been waiting a long time to be married and who are anxious to do it have access to someone who is able to perform the ceremony on their time frame,” said Judge Richard B. Meyer, who said he felt an obligation to help couples.
Some judges added that there will still be some kinks to work out, particularly in terms of language: should a judge at a wedding of two men should say, “I now pronounce you husband and husband/wife and wife,” or “husbands together” or “wives together," or something else entirely? But the overwhelming feeling is that the mood at the city clerk's office that day will be joyful: “I think there will be a lot of people. I think there will be a lot of emotion. I think there will be a lot of happy tears,” said Sherry Klein Heitler of State Supreme Court in Manhattan.
Tagged
gay
gay marriage
judges
marriage equality
same sex marriage
weddings
Ben Yakas
Ben Yakas is a former Gothamist reporter.
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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