[Update 4:52 a.m.] New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed the state's marriage equality bill hours after it passed the Republican-controlled Senate on Friday night, making it the sixth state in the nation to legalize same-sex marriage. Cuomo signed the bill into law after the legislature cleared the way to legalize same-sex marriage with a 33-29 vote, the first time a state Senate with a Republican majority has approved such a bill.
[Original post 11:21 p.m.] New York legislators cleared the last major hurdle to legalize same-sex marriage Friday when the state Senate followed the Assembly's lead in approving legislation to do so.
Earlier in the day, the Assembly passed a version of the bill that included an amendment about religious institutions. The Friday night vote in the Senate means the legislation's fate is now in the hands of Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who proposed it.
The Senate vote came after lawmakers agreed on an amendment that would help protect religious institutions from potential lawsuits, Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos said.Demonstrators have gathered for days in Albany as state lawmakers pored over the details of the bill, which would help make New York the nation's sixth and largest state to legalize same-sex marriage.
The vote on the marriage measure, which the state Assembly passed June 15, was stalled in part by Republican concerns over protections for religious institutions against the potential for litigation.
Cuomo says the bill would grant same-sex couples equal rights to marry "as well as hundreds of rights, benefits and protections that are currently limited to married couples of the opposite sex."
Currently, five states - Massachusetts, Connecticut, Iowa, Vermont and New Hampshire - and the District of Columbia grant same-sex marriage licenses.
The passage of same-sex marriage laws faced a daunting history in the New York state legislature.
The Senate rejected a bill to legalize same-sex marriage in 2009 and has blocked the last three attempts by the state's lower house to get the proposed legislation signed into law.
Although New York currently does not grant same-sex marriages, a 2008 appellate court ruling upheld the right of couples to have their same-sex marriages recognized if they are performed elsewhere.
FULL STORY
FINALLY!!!!
As usual, when any part of America takes a brave step forward on any issue of equality, the bigoted jerks come out and show just how pathetic and ignorant they are. Someone said "now we'll be surrounded by perverts" Obviously that person thinks gays are perverts and that at this moment there are no gay people living in New York, but now that gay people can be married in New York, there will be a sudden influx of gays where now there are none. That is so dumb I can't even believe it. If you don't like living among gay people, go move....uh.....gay people make up 20% of the world's population at a very conservative estimate...guess you'll have to go move to an unpopulated island somewhere, or move to the moon or mars where there are no humans....they just discovered that one of Saturn's moons can support life....go move there BIGOTS!
Excuse me? '......... pored over the details of the bill,......' I've been out of work for quite some time now. Would the writer of this article be interested in someone to proof/edit their copy? Cheap?
the downfall of America is coming soon. I hope it get blocked or appealed. Anybody that has any morals or belives in god does not support such devilish ways, but then again all the "gays" will be sent to hell anyways so I guess it doesn't matter
We don't believe in your god. Get your religion out of our politics.
You're a moron, so I guess it doesn't matter.
Get educated.
Great job NY. Now plz all of u gays go to NY SO WE CAN CLEAN CA
better kick out your priests, too...
I am a moderate and I am so proud of New York. One day we will look at those who oppose this the same as those who opposed interracial marriage and the Civil Rights Movement. Religious conservatives are no longer wanted in our society. Take your filthy Bible to the south where critical thinking is frowned upon.
Great moment in civil rights history! Not that other states that approved marriage weren't important, but this dramatically increases the number of gay people who can get married. And it's great to know that there are Republicans out there who are actually decent people who can stand up and do the right thing.
Marriage isn't a civil right.
Oh yes it is.
DC – Oh but it is. Try gettting married without filing papers with the government, and see if you are considered married.
Its not a civil right..its a religious view actually...gay marriage is liberal view which will eventually be the down fall of america
Actually there are about 1300 rights attached to marriage– The right to file a joint tax return, the right to visit your spouse in the hospital, and right to make legal decisions for your spouse when he or she can't, etc. And the list goes on. Sure sounds like a civil rights issue to me.
@DC "Marriage isn't a civil right."
Oh yes it is. I suggest you go do a bit of legal reading, as you are either sorely misinformed (FAUX NOISE viewer?) , or willfully ignorant.
It was turned into a civil right by the left wing nuts....Before marriage was destoryed it was a religious right.
Josh: did the Easter bunny tell you to say that??? Or maybe Santa, or your imaginary god???
Two consenting brothers can now marry legally, and get it on! Sweet!
No, you nitwit That s called incest and is against the law. Your next argument fail in 3..2..1...
what if they love each other........people think being gay is gross.................where does it end?
@Sandra – that is what I am saying. For "equal rights" they should repeal the anti-incest law.
It's ends when bigoted people like you stop reproducing.
Where will you and your brother be registering for your china? I bet you'll be stunning in white.
Damn, that should only be okay when it's a BROTHER and a SISTER. What is this country coming to?
May all young gay teenagers know that they are accepted in New York-that being born gay is nothing to be ashamed of-that no one has the right to treat them different, discriminate against them in any way-they are healthy, normal and have every right to every happiness our country, and especially the State of New York, now guarantees. God bless you and God bless the great state of New York.
That's like saying someone is born an alcoholic. It simply isn't true.
Ummm God's not blessing this and there is only one creator (God).
And how do you KNOW that for a fact? Are you gay? Did you happen to talk to GOD personally and he told you the way it's "supposed" to be?
I read his word and don't fool yourself, there is no such thing a gay follower of Christ. To follow Christ means you die to yourself , take up your corss daily and follow him. Consult his word.
How said it is that DC, like many, equates being gay with a sickness or affliction. What is even sadder still, is that this way of thinking becomes the prevaling reason to discriminate.
Peter: Can you do me a favor and tell your god to tell all the priests to stop raping little boys? Thanks in advance, I appreciate it.
DC: That's exactly what I said when people said your mother was born a w.hore. She wasn't born that way. She earned it. On her knees. The hard way.
The loony bin is calling. Take your medication now and go to bed. This isn't therapy. Not enough hugs as a child I guess. Sorry. Your mommy loves you. Really she does. And it is Ok to touch yourself. It doesn't make you gay. Not that there is anything wrong with that.
WOOHOO! About time! Welcome to the 21st Century NY.
Don't believe for one minute that the government passed this to protect your gay rights. The government doesn't care about the gays civil rights. Most Americans realize that marriage starts and end with God! Man and Women. But another day is coming for you, if you don't turn from your ways. Comments are welcomed! It will always be about Christ and repentance! Hopefully you'll get it before it's too late.
Your view of God and Christ are the only ones out there. I believe in a God of loving compassion for all beings. I believe in a Christ that showed up the kingdom is within. Our relationship to God is the most personal relationship on can have. Your out-dated version leads to separation, hatred and fear.
There is a growing number of us walking away from your idea of exclusiveness of God. God transcends your limited beliefs, and the rest of us don't need to live under them.
This just the bible fulfilling its self. The word declares that God never changes. American can continue down this path of destruction. The one true God does not condone this lifestyle. Please consult his word and leave out your emontion.
Peter, there is no god... never has been, never will be. SANTA is more realistic...
Now go back to listening to "family radio" and mail them out another check...
Yeah but non of you have respond to my state about the government, because you know it's true. The goverment could careless about the gays and your rights. You'll see.
wow, there is a lot of hate in this room
For anybody who remembers how exercised I was about this bill and its "God" relationship Monday night GOOD, GOOD, GOOD!
This is what I wanted!
WE WON!
YOU LOST!
YOU Lost, lost, lost, lost, you LLLlllosers!
Now my G/L friends are equal to me and my wife in our state.
You losers.
YYYYYYYYYYYEEEEEEEEEESSSSSSS!!!!!!!
liberal nut case ^
Conservity dick ^
God allows us choices, and consequences for them. God's people will never lose. You, my friend, are already lost.
Um... your god's people have already lost... long, long ago. WAKE UP and join the REAL WORLD!!!
For all of us who won today......I would like to suggest that WE as a GROUP to not even respond to those who feel they lost....let's all be good sports and show them that gay or straight or whatever, that we're not hateful and disrespectful to them. God Bless America!
We all lost today...think about it.
if you have hate in your heart let it out