Marriage And Federalism

New York State's decision to recognize all Massachusetts's civil marriage licenses - which make no distinction between straight and gay - propels even more momentum to the marriage equality movement. Notice what this isn't: New York is not obliged under any precedent or DOMA to recognize marriages from other states. It has chosen to do so. Next month, California will also issue thousands of marriage licenses to couples previously barred from civil equality - and those licenses have no residency requirement. So if New York will recognize them as well, Arnold has what he wants: a massive new and lucrative wedding industry in California for all the gay couples in New York State. Once civil marriages are equally available in California, Massachusetts and New York, marriage equality will reach around 60 million Americans.