Local Couple Applauds Passage of Marriage Equality Bill

Carole Milton and her longtime partner, Denise Medrano, had discussed the idea of getting married this year. But the couple of 14 years decided to hold off, hoping that New York State would legalize marriage of same-sex couples.

“I did the proposing, so now she has to set the date,” laughed Milton, a resident of Bay Shore.

While the couple will soon choose their wedding day, they can now be wed legally in the eyes of the state, thanks to the state Senate’s approval of same-sex marriage legislation. The bill officially becomes law 30 days after receiving Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s signature, which is expected

Milton admitted to being surprised that New York, long considered a melting pot, was not one of the states to have legalized marriage between same-sex couples. But now she’s quite happy.

“When it finally passed, my first thought was, ‘holy (cow), we can finally be looked at as being equal,’” she said.

Milton doesn’t anticipate being married changing her or Medrano, but does feel it will change how others look at the couple.

“We’re just a family like any other family,” she explained, noting the couple has custody of Medrano’s two nieces. “It doesn’t matter if a couple is a man and woman, two men or two women. The important part is that they love each other.”

With the passage of the bill, married same-sex couple will be afforded the same benefits as married opposite sex couples such as access to family health insurance. This, however, is not an issue for Milton and Medrano since Milton’s employer, Staples, offers health insurance to domestic partners.

“But that’s something that’s very important for same-sex couples,” she added.