Clerk: open office for same-sex licenses

The Town of North Hempstead will likely be open July 24 to process same-sex marriage licenses on the first day that New York's Marriage Equality Law takes effect.

Town Clerk Leslie Gross said she wants to open her office from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. that Sunday, and Councilman Fred Pollack said he would place a resolution on the town board's Tuesday agenda seeking approval should it be necessary.

"People waited so long," Pollack said Thursday. "They shouldn't have to wait an extra day." If approved, the clerk's office in North Hempstead could be the only one on Long Island open that Sunday.

"I wanted to be able to serve people that can only come on Sunday," said Gross, who is planning an engagement party for couples who get their licenses that day across from Town Hall at the Mary Jane Davies Green.

Brookhaven Town, which is home to Fire Island's gay and lesbian communities, considered opening on that Sunday, but spokesman Jack Krieger said Thursday it was unlikely.

Other towns opted not to open, citing budget concerns or a lack of interest from residents.

Long Island GLBT Services Network plans to have staff help with crowd control and other needs in North Hempstead that Sunday, chief executive David Kilmnick said. "It's the day that everyone has been looking forward to for their whole lives. Let's make Long Island the place to be on that day."

Mayor Michael Bloomberg announced Wednesday that clerks' offices in all five boroughs would be open for a full day of business on Sunday and would stay open additional hours that first week.

The city also announced it would have state judges volunteer to perform ceremonies or review requests to waive the 24-hour required waiting period after obtaining a license.

On July 26, the GLBT network is hosting a wedding ceremony and celebration at Carlyle on the Green in Bethpage State Park.

With Patrick Whittle