May 30, 2008 — Despite this week's decisions in New York and California, supporters of same-sex marriage still face a lot of opposition. A Gallup poll conducted earlier this month found that 56% of Americans oppose granting marriage rights to gay and lesbian couples. 40% support the idea. Republican leaders in New York haven't said yet whether they'll fight Governor Paterson's decision. But the state's Conservative Party issued a statement describing the move as misguided and undemocratic. Brian Mann spoke with the party's top official, Michael Long. Long says this decision will trigger a statewide battle over the definition of marriage.  Go to full article

Oct 06, 2006 — Democratic candidate for Governor Eliot Spitzer addressed over 1000 members of the gay rights group Empire State Pride Agenda at the group's annual dinner. Spitzer told the group he'll work to make same sex marriage legal in New York if he's elected in November. Karen DeWitt reports.  Go to full article

Oct 06, 2006 — Eliot Spitzer says gay marriage is part of the "core values" in a civil rights campaign he said should draw people together, rather than divide them. Spitzer addressed the annual meeting of the Empire State Pride Agenda last night in New York. The gay rights group has endorsed Spitzer's Democratic campaign for governor against Republican-Conservative John Faso. Faso says he's open to the idea of civil unions but not gay marriage. Last night, Spitzer made his position clear.  Go to full article

Jul 10, 2006 — Now that the state's highest court has ruled that gay and lesbian couples do not have a constitutional right to marriage under current law, the issue moves to the state legislature. The sponsor of a bill to legalize same sex marriage says he thinks the court decision will help build momentum for the measure. Karen DeWitt reports.  Go to full article

Jul 07, 2006 — New York's highest court ruled that marriage of same-sex couples is against state law. In a divided ruling, the Court of Appeals said it's up to the legislature to change the statute. The news came as a great disappointment to the 44 couples who challenged the law. Karen DeWitt reports from Albany.  Go to full article

Jun 08, 2006 — The U.S. Senate again voted down the proposed constitutional amendment to ban same-sex marriage -- but the margin is narrowing. NCPR station manager Ellen Rocco shares her thoughts on how our times define our prejudices, and who holds them.  Go to full article

Mar 02, 2005 — North Country Public Radio is Media Sponsor for the "Out at the Movies" film festival, which begins Thursday night and continues through Monday. The free festival will show documentaries and feature films exploring issues and concerns in the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender communities. Todd Moe talks with Brooklyn filmmaker Jim de Seve, whose documentary, Tying the Knot, uncovers the many issues behind the topic of same-sex marriage.  Go to full article

Apr 16, 2004 — A public forum coming up Sunday night at 7 at the Unitarian Universalist Church in Canton, will explore marriage equality for gays and lesbians. Martha Foley talks with Unitarian Universalist Church of Canton co-minister Anne Marsh about marriage of same-sex couples, civil unions, and the issues surrounding them.  Go to full article

Apr 09, 2004 — Todd Moe talks with author, radio host and gay activist Michelangelo Signorile about same-sex marriage and the "deurbanization" of the gay community. He spoke earlier this week at St. Lawrence University.  Go to full article

Mar 24, 2004 — Over the last year, three provincial courts in Canada have ruled that gays and lesbians are guaranteed the same marriage rights enjoyed by heterosexual couples. Prime Minister Paul Martin has endorsed a bill that would extend those rights to same-sex couples across the country. But Canada's government postponed a vote in Parliament last year by calling for a review of the issue by Canada's Supreme Court. As Brian Mann reports, the move has angered activists on both sides. But the tone of Canada's debate is still much more civil than in the U-S.  Go to full article