Today, in response to news that the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled the Defense of Marriage Act unconstitutional, Assembly Member Daniel O'Donnell stated:

The Defense of Marriage Act is a lingering remnant of hatred and discrimination in the United States, and it has no place in our society. Today, the 2nd Circuit Court of Appeals upheld the validity of this principle and struck a resounding blow for the idea that all Americans deserve equal rights, not just a select few.

I send my sincerest congratulations to Edie Windsor for her personal victory and my thanks for her perseverance—I know first-hand how difficult and truly draining it can be to be a plaintiff for Marriage Equality, as I was a plaintiff in the Marriage Equality lawsuit here in New York, first winning and then ultimately losing the case. Ms. Windsor’s resolve and determination speak volumes. I also congratulate my attorney, Robbie Kaplan, for her tremendous work and continuing victories in this fight for equality.

Assembly Member O’Donnell was the legislative sponsor of the Marriage Equality Act in New York, leading the Act to passage five times in the Assembly before it was signed into law in 2011.