American Bar Association calls on states to extend marriage rights to same-sex couples

American Bar Association backs same-sex marriage

SAN FRANCISCO — The country’s largest lawyers’ group has backed a resolution calling on all state legislatures to let same-sex couples get married.

The American Bar Association voted at its annual meeting Tuesday in San Francisco to support the measure sponsored by the New York State Bar Association.

New York State Bar Association President Stephen P. Younger says the resolution passed overwhelmingly, with only one speaker voicing opposition during debate.

The ABA’s approval comes days after a federal judge in San Francisco struck down California’s voter-approved same-sex marriage ban. Younger says the timing of the ABA’s vote is a coincidence.