Legally Married Lesbian Sues Landlord to Add Wife to Lease

Lambda Legal recently filed a complaint against a New York City landlord for refusing to add a lesbian tenant's legally married wife to her rent-stabilized lease as is required by state and city law. After marrying her partner of 37 years in Iowa in 2011, the tenant provided a copy of her marriage certificate to the management company requesting to have her spouse added to the lease. In response to her request, the management company incorrectly told the couple that New York State does not recognize their marriage.