Statement from Alan Van Cappelle, head of New York’s Empire State Pride Agenda:

This is a wonderful day for same-sex couples and their families in New Jersey. Very soon they will have access to the protections and responsibilities that all loving, committed couples need to take care of each other. We celebrate this decision with our lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) neighbors in New Jersey and look forward to the day when New York will take the same stand against discrimination and support marriage equality for our families.

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As a result of today’s decision in New Jersey, New York falls even further behind its neighbors in protecting same-sex couples and their families. With the exception of Pennsylvania, every U.S. state and Canadian province bordering New York has passed some type of comprehensive measure to protect gay and lesbian families. Protections for our families in New York are woefully inadequate and we are being left out in the cold to fend for ourselves. It’s time for Albany to step up and start leading.