WHO: ADF Senior Legal Counsel Brian Raum
WHAT: Available for media interviews after hearing in Lewis v. New York State Department of Civil Service
WHEN: Wednesday, Oct. 15, immediately after hearing, which begins at 1 p.m. EDT
WHERE: State of New York Supreme Court, Appellate Division, Third Judicial Department, Empire State Plaza Justice Building, Albany
ALBANY, N.Y. — Alliance Defense Fund Senior Legal Counsel Brian Raum will be available for media interviews following oral arguments Wednesday in Lewis v. New York State Department of Civil Service. ADF attorneys filed suit on behalf of taxpayers against the New York State Department of Civil Service for illegally redefining the term “spouse” in order to extend marriage benefits to same-sex couples “wed” outside the state.
“New York state agencies should respect the state’s marriage laws over the laws of foreign jurisdictions,” said Raum. “Government officials cannot seek to forward a political agenda at the expense of taxpayers and families who have not consented to the marriage laws of other states and countries.”
In May 2007, ADF attorneys filed suit against the Department of Civil Service after it directed all New York state agencies to provide, at taxpayers’ expense, health insurance benefits to same-sex couples “married” in other states or countries. ADF attorneys filed an appeal in April (www.telladf.org/news/story.aspx?cid=4560). Raum will argue before the appellate court Wednesday.
Department of Civil Service President Nancy Groenwegen stated publicly that her policy was intended to further failed political attempts to legalize same-sex “marriage” in New York. Under the New York Constitution, it is illegal for state agencies to promote any party’s political agenda with state resources.
A fact sheet is available on the lawsuit at www.telladf.org/UserDocs/LewisFactSheet.pdf.
ADF is a legal alliance of Christian attorneys and like-minded organizations defending the right of people to freely live out their faith. Launched in 1994, ADF employs a unique combination of strategy, training, funding, and litigation to protect and preserve religious liberty, the sanctity of life, marriage, and the family.
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