Wedding vows without civil protections

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) - Governor David Paterson says legalizing gay marriage is as important now as ending slavery was in the 19th century.

Dave Batt and Michael Shanahan exchanged wedding vows nearly 14 years ago.

But, because their marriage is not legally recognized, they're denied many civil protections like health care and pension rights.

"If he gets sick and he has to go to the hospital, I have to have special paperwork. Everything's gotta be done moreover. We have to hire attorneys to do things for us that are just taken for granted in society," said Michael Shanahan.

Both men were married before, to women. Batt has two grown daughters.

"We've been working towards this for years. We feel that it's coming closer and closer to the right time," said Dave Batt.

Dave and Michael met and had their marriage ceremony here at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Buffalo. About 10% of the church's 500 families are gay or lesbian and the pastor says he performs about ten same-sex marriages a year.

"I'm pretty offended that other churches would presume to come into my church and tell my people who they can and can't marry," said Rev. Joel Miller of Unitarian Universalist Church of Buffalo.

But a pastor from Evangel Assembly of God has a different opinion.

"I feel like sometimes we look for special rights for people instead of equal rights, and I feel this is actually asking for special rights," said Pastor Patrick Hilkey, of Evangel Assembly of God.

Batt thinks marriage equality is coming soon, "It's now, if it's not now it's gonna be shortly. It's just a matter of time. Things are moving in that direction."