A Reform Jewish leader criticized a New York Court of Appeals ruling rejecting the right of gays and lesbians to civil marriage. Rabbi David Saperstein, director of Reform Judaism’s Religious Action Center, on Thursday called on the New York legislature to pass a law ensuring the right to civil marriage. “Americans of all sexual orientations should be allowed the rights, privileges, joys and responsibilities of marriage,” Saperstein said. “The continued denial of the right to civil marriage for gays and lesbians denigrates those faiths that celebrate the unions of loving same-sex couples and, as a matter of religious principle, consider such partnerships worthy of not only blessing, but of affirmation by civil authorities.” The group filed a brief on the plaintiff’s behalf in the case.
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