Two Unitarian Universalist ministers were charged Monday for marrying 13 same-sex couples, thrusting the clergy into the legal battle over gay marriage in New York.
Ministers Kay Greenleaf and Dawn Sangrey were charged with multiple counts of solemnizing a marriage without a licence, the same charges levelled against New Paltz Mayor Jason West who last month drew the state into the widening national debate over same-sex unions.
Ulster County District Attorney Donald Williams had said before Monday's charges were announced that it would be more difficult considering charges against clergy because the clergy had not sworn to uphold the law. The pair performed the weddings March 6.
Mr. Williams said last week that the deciding factor would be whether the weddings were simple religious ceremonies, such as Unitarian ministers had been performing for same-sex couples for years, or an attempt to solemnize civil marriages without a licence.
The two ministers had said they view the ceremonies as civil and legal.
The ministers' lawyer, Robert Gottlieb, was unaware of the charges when contacted by The Associated Press and declined immediate comment.
Since Mr. West joined San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom as the only elected officials to marry gay couples, the issue has spread rapidly across the country. Courts, legislatures and elected officials are wrestling with what supporters say is a matter of civil rights and opponents call an attack on the time-honored institution of marriage.
Mr. West married 25 gay and lesbian couples Feb. 27 in a highly publicized marathon ceremony. Mr. West is now under a court order temporarily halting the weddings.
The charges carry a fine of $25 (U.S.) to $500 or jail time.
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