Samuels & Gallagher v. New York - Case Profile
Jeanne Vitale and Amy Tripi want
their relationship legally recognized.
The ACLU, together with the law firm Paul Weiss Rifkind Wharton & Garrison LLP, filed a lawsuit in Albany, NY, on behalf of 13 couples from throughout New York who wish to marry in the state. The ACLU asked the court to strike down New York marriage laws because they violate the state constitutional guarantees of equality, liberty, and freedom of speech. However, the judge ruled to uphold the marriage laws. The ACLU is appealing the decision.
Status: Loss. The New York Court of Appeals ruled against our plaintiffs on July 6, 2006.
>> Tell Albany to Grant Full Marriage Equality to Same Sex Couples!
Profile: More about the Plaintiff Couples
Press Releases
ACLU Denounces New York High Court Decision Denying Marriage Protections for Same-Sex Couples (July 6, 2006)
ACLU Urges New York High Court to Strike Down Law Banning Same-Sex Couples from Marriage (May 31, 2006)
Religious and Civil Rights Groups Urge New York's High Court to Strike Down Laws Barring Same-Sex Couples from Marriage (April 24, 2006)
ACLU Urges New York's High Court to End Unfairness Against Gay Couples in Marriage (March 3, 2006)
ACLU Promises to Appeal Marriage Case for Same-Sex Couples to New York's Highest Court (February 16, 2006)
ACLU Urges New York Appeals Court to End Unfairness Against Gay Couples in Marriage (May 19, 2005)
New York Trial Court Decision Denying Marriage for Same-Sex Couples Advances ACLU Lawsuit to Appeals Court (December 7, 2004)
Social Workers Come Out in Support of Marriage for Same-Sex Couples (August 16, 2004)
ACLU Files Lawsuit Seeking Marriage Equality for Same-Sex Couples in New York State (April 7, 2004)
Legal Documents
NY Court of Appeals decision in Samuels & Gallagher v. New York Dept. of Health (July 7, 2006)
Briefs filed before New York's Highest Court, the Court of Appeals
Plaintiff's Brief (March 3, 2006)Friend-of-the-Court Briefs (April 24, 2006)
Decision by New York Supreme Court, Appellate Division, Third Judicial Branch:
Intermediate Court Decision (February 16, 2006)Briefs filed before the New York Supreme Court, Appellate Division, Third Judicial Department:
ACLU Reply Brief of Plaintiffs/Appellants (September 6, 2005)Legal documents filed with the Trial CourtState's Brief on Appeal (August 19, 2005)
ACLU Brief (May 19, 2005)
Friend-of-the-Court Briefs (April 24, 2006)
Complaint (April 7, 2006)ACLU's Opening Brief in Trial Court (March 25, 2005)
State's Opposition Brief in Trial Court (March 25, 2005)
ACLU's Reply Brief in Trial Court (March 25, 2005)
ACLU's Response to Liberty Counsel Brief (March 25, 2005)
ACLU's Jurisdictional Letter to the Court of Appeals (March 25, 2005)
Other Documents