In a historic leap forward for equality, New York made same-sex marriage legal in June. That doesn't mean everyone has to approve; even some public officials may think it's a bad idea, and like everyone else, they're entitled to their opinion.
But government officials do have to follow the law. That's why the town clerk in upstate Ledyard, who thinks God considers homosexuality a sin, is off base for refusing to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples. She's arranged for her deputy to do it instead, by appointment.
That's not good enough. The whole point is that gay and lesbian New Yorkers aren't second-class citizens and should be treated just like anyone else looking to make a trip to the altar. While the clerk is welcome to her views, separate and unequal doesn't cut it.
