Hudson Valley Libertarians say, "Get Religion out of the NY Statutes!"

The "gay marriage" issue is heating up early March in the Hudson Valley, and bringing out the protestors. New Paltz Libertarian Don Silberger says: "The gay marriage issue is analogous to that of interracial marriage. The State shouldn't be dictating the terms of marriage in that way. At the rally I attended Wednesday evening, I carried a sign which read KEEP YOUR LAWS OFF MY VOWS." His mayor, Jason West, risks penalties for marrying same-sex couples in their town.

The Libertarians say they believe in "separation of Church and State." Gary Treistman, 2003 candidate for Town Justice in nearby Woodstock, explains: "The government should not be involved in sanctifying any uncontested contract, marriage or otherwise." He adds, though, that, "given the situation that it is, then the same rights and privileges ought to be extended to any two people who voluntarily want to participate in what is called 'marriage.' What is the real difference anyway?"

The Libertarian Party of Hudson Valley criticizes the Ulster County District Attorney Don Williams for the filing of criminal charges against Mayor Jason West of New Paltz.

Hearing of Elliot Spitzer's suggestion that it needs to go to the courts for "marriage" to be redefined, Libertarians counter that perhaps the Legislature should resolve the conflict by not using traditional terms with traditional definitions, like "bride and groom" and "husband and wife." They claim this conflicts with the New York State Constitution's Article 1, Section 1, which reads, "No member of this state shall be disfranchised, or deprived of any of the rights or privileges secured to any citizen thereof."

Libertarians say that it's time to take religious language out of the New York statues--and out of the purview of courts. The Libertarian Party urges the State Legislature to act to revise the wording of key sections of New York's laws.

Libertarians say that one answer might be to remove marriage from the laws completely, and replace the system of marriage licenses granted by the state with one of courts recognizing any "civil union" contracts executed by competent parties--with or without a religious ceremony to go along with it.

John Clifton, chair of the Libertarian Party of New York, comments that "Gays have the liberty to enter into contracts without interference like everybody else. Traditionalists have the liberty to reject having religious definitions changed by courts and legislatures, and used to force them to take actions contrary to their beliefs. Neither the right nor the left should be using civil government to impose their views on each other---but they are, in areas like employment, housing, and education."

Silberger notes, "Indeed, despite his official title of Mayor of New Paltz, Jason West's actions challenge the state's lock on marriage and its definition."

Insiders fear arrest of Mayor West on Saturday, when he is expected to perform marriages at the New Paltz Village Hall. But, the Libertarians ask, "How many Hudson Valley mayors do they have to arrest before this issue of religion in our statutes is replaced by more neutral terms involving contractual agreements?" Mayor John Sheilds of Nyack has indicated that he might also marry gay couples in his town. Other town clerks around New York have expressed that they would support same-sex couples, if the law's language was changed and they had the go-ahead from state leadership.

There has been a Libertarian organization in the Husdon Valley since the early 1970s. More information about today's Hudson Valley Libertarian Party can be found at: http://ny.lp.org/HudsonValley/ The Libertarian Party believes in individual freedom and personal responsibility.

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Hudson Valley Libertarians say, "Get Religion out of the NY Statutes!"

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