Progress on Equality for Lesbian and Gay New York Couples
Published 03/05/04
1982: First Employer in State Offers Domestic Partner Benefits
The Village Voice becomes the first employer in New York to offer domestic partner benefits to lesbian and gay employees.
1986: New York City Bars Anti-Gay Discrimination
The city’s Human Rights Law is amended to prohibit sexual orientation discrimination in employment, housing, education and public accommodations.
1989: Braschi v. Stahl Associates
New York’s highest court rules that a same-sex partner qualifies as “family” under New York’s rent regulations statutes, stating that “family” should not be restricted to those people who have formalized their relationships, as long as there is proof of a committed relationship.
1993: New York City Offers Health Insurance to Domestic Partners
After four years of litigation, the city becomes the largest municipality to offer health insurance benefits to domestic partners.
1995: New York State Offers Domestic Partner Benefits
New York State offers domestic partner benefits to state employees, but not a registry.
1998: New York City Extends Domestic Partner Benefits
Legislation broadly extends recognition of domestic partners in New York City. The law gives to registered domestic partners equal access to a limited number of services, entitlements and responsibilities. (Other New York cities, counties and towns with some form of domestic partner benefits in New York include: Westchester County, Eastchester, East Hampton, Greenburgh, Ithaca, North Hills, Richmond, Rochester, Southampton and Southold.)
2001: Levin v. Yeshiva University
New York’s highest court reverses a trial court’s order dismissing the claim of two lesbian medical students and their partners who were denied housing by Yeshiva University’s Albert Einstein College of Medicine because they were not legally married. The court found that the policy violated New York City’s law prohibiting sexual orientation discrimination in housing.
2002-2003: New York State Law Gives Spousal Benefits to Gay Partners of 9/11 Victims
State legislature passes several measures to extend spousal benefits to domestic partners of victims of 9/11, including benefits from insurance companies. In a Lambda Legal case, a lesbian surviving partner is awarded more than $500,000 from the federal fund designed to compensate families of 9/11 victims.
2003: Langan v. St. Vincent’s Hospital
Nassau County Supreme Court rules that a gay man (represented by Lambda Legal) is a legal spouse and able to sue St. Vincent’s Hospital for medical negligence that led to his longtime partner’s death, because the couple had a civil union from Vermont. The New York State Attorney General later adds his support for this decision.
2003: Sexual Orientation Non-Discrimination Act (SONDA) Takes Effect
New York State enacts legislation outlawing antigay discrimination in housing, employment, public accommodation, education and credit throughout the state. This change in policy comes after 31 years of efforts on the part of gay activists.
