BX religious groups and gay rights activists voiced their opinions on gay marriages.
(03/03/04) THE BRONX - Religious conservative groups on one side and gay rights groups on the other side. That was the scene on the steps of the Bronx County Courthouse Wednesday.
Senator Reverend Ruben Diaz (D-Bronx) was the key sponsor of the first religious protest of gay marriages in the Bronx. Reverend Diaz said as a minister he is against gay marriage. He believes God created the sanctity of matrimony between a man and woman. Other protesters joined Diaz in citing the bible as a reason why they are opposed to gay marriage.
On the flip side, members of the Bronx's Gay and Lesbian Health Resource Consortium said the issue of gay marriage is not about religion. They say it's about having equal rights to marry under the law.
Also on Wednesday, New York State Attorney General Elliot Spitzer issued a legal opinion saying the current state law prohibits same sex marriages. The city's top lawyer agreed with Spitzer and now Mayor Bloomberg has said he will enforce the law.
The announcement comes just one day before some 50 same-sex couples plan to go to the City Clerk's office for marriage licenses.
