Lewis v. The New York State Department of Civil Service

Summary

In 2007, ADF attorneys filed a lawsuit on behalf of New York taxpayers, challenging a state agency’s attempt to redefine marriage in the state. The complaint alleged that the New York Department of Civil Service acted illegally when it chose to redefine the term “spouse” for the purpose of allowing same-sex couples who were “wed” outside the state to receive state benefits. In 2009, the New York Supreme Court did not address whether New York law requires the recognition of same-sex “marriages” from jurisdictions outside the Empire State.