Legal approval, a Symbolic victory

By Nilanjana Gupta (Syracuse) – New York State starts issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples in less than two weeks. But Amit Taneja, Associate Director of Lesbian-Gay-Bisexual-Transgender Resource Center at Syracuse University, said their social lives probably won’t change much under the new law.

“The law is just a symbolic victory as couples were having wedding celebrations even before the law was passed,” Taneja said.

“There are folks who have been getting married all along… just because it wasn’t legally recognized didn’t mean that people couldn’t have a wedding celebration with their families.”

Taneja said he will be getting engaged to his long-time partner in a couple of weeks but that would have happened regardless of the new law.

Legal approval, a magical moment

Taneja said it was indeed a magical moment for someone who has been subjected to mockery and disgrace throughout his life, to see the government giving him a dignified social status.

“When the law was being passed, we were watching it live on the internet… it was a joyous moment and we all were hugging and crying,” Taneja said.

Benefits due to legitimization

With the legal approval, couples get access to each others health insurance, medical decisions and home insurance plans.

“But the more important benefits, such as filing taxes together and immigration, are entitled only to heterosexual couples, as the federal government still doesn’t recognize same-sex couples,” Taneja said.