Assembly passes bill giving partners right to care for loved ones

On June 10, the New York State Assembly overwhelmingly approved giving same-sex and opposite sex domestic partners the same rights spouses and next-of-kin have when taking care of loved ones in hospitals and nursing homes.

Assemblymember Daniel Hooker (R-Sharon Springs) was the only member to vote “No”.

Empire State Pride Agenda, New York’s statewide gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender civil rights organizations and the lead advocacy group backing the bill’s passage, thanked the Assembly for its vote on A.9872 and urged the State Senate to take up and pass the measure before the end of the session.

“Partners who love and care for each other have a fundamental right to be together when one of them is sick and hospitalized,” said Alan Van Capelle, Pride Agenda Executive Director. “Today’s vote in the Assembly reaffirms this fundamental right. It also says a great deal about the values of the people of New York, their inherent sense of fairness and their decency. Today I am even prouder than usual to be a New Yorker!”