the law was held only to apply to those who were legally qualified to be married. October 17, 2005: Oral arguments are heard by the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court, Third Judicial Department. February 16, 2006: The Appellate Division affirms the trial court in a 5–0 decision that consolidated all three cases (Samuels, Seymour, and Kane) on appeal in its jurisdiction. May 31, 2006: Oral arguments are heard by the New York State Court of Appeals. July 6, 2006: The Court of Appeals issues a 4–2 decision upholding New York's existing marriage statutes and declining to judicially mandate the legalization of same-sex marriage in New York. The Court's ruling states that same-sex partners do not have the right to marry each other under the New York Constitution. Legislative history See also Empire State Pride Agenda History of civil marriage in the United States LGBT rights in New York LGBT culture in New York City List of self-identified LGBTQ New Yorkers Public opinion of same-sex marriage in the United States Rights and responsibilities of marriages in the United States Same-sex marriage in the United States Same-sex marriage law in the United States by state Same-sex marriage legislation in the United States Same-sex marriage status in the United States by state Stonewall riots Explanatory notes References External links Hernandez v. Robles, M.Y. Court of Appeals, July 6, 2006 "The Road to Gay Marriage After New York", JURIST LGBT rights in New York (state) New York 2011 in LGBT history 2011 in New York (state)