New York Governor David Paterson has
signed an adoption bill that allows gay couples to jointly adopt a
child, New York-based NY1 reported.
Paterson, a Democrat and a gay ally,
signed the bill on Sunday.
The law allows unmarried partners to
jointly adopt a child in New York State. The bill also replaces the
term “husband and wife” with “married couple.”
Bill sponsors say the law was needed to
ensure children get lifelong support, including insurance and
benefits, from both adults even in the event couples split.
Gay marriage is not legal in New York.
A bill that sought to legalize the institution died in the state
Senate last year, despite the governor's support. The state,
however, does recognize the legal marriages of same-sex couples from
other states. Gay marriage is legal in neighboring Connecticut,
Massachusetts, Vermont and Canada. Bordering New Jersey recognizes
gay couples with civil unions.
New
York-based activists have rolled out an aggressive campaign to oust
senators who voted against marriage equality. Another campaign
by the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), the nation's largest gay rights
advocate, features
Hollywood stars and celebrity politicians urging New Yorkers to
support attempts to legalize gay marriage in the state.
Other states limit, or in the case of
Florida, outright ban, gay couples' access to adopt.