[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
What's next? weirdo's
Seriously, why not two men and a doberman, or a women and a Democrat, or a women, a man, and an Obamot. Any number of consenting adults should now be able to marry. Why are you Progressives so bent out of shape tonight ?
@ Peter:
There is no Christ.
You are an idiot.
YOU LOSE.
And who is it that you will turn to in a moment of panic or when something catastrophic happens in your life? If you do not beleive that there is a Jesus and that He is God, I hope you at least have a belief in God no matter what name you may have for Him. I bet dollars to doughnuts that if you were in lower Manhattan on 9/11./2001 you wouldn't have been asking for the help of some elected official to save or to help you.
As a Christian it means that two people, created by God, who wish to commit to each other in a loving marriage, just like the rest of us enjoy, can now do so in the state of NY. It is for God to judge, not humans, and my guess is that God would NOT condone passing judgment on two loving adults who wish to marry.
High-Five, Susan!
Two adults, like two consenting brothers? For equality reasons, we should repeal the anti-incest laws, as they discriminate against two consenting adults (brothers) who love each other.
Relax, Jason... no one wants to marry you anywho...
Susan I don't know what bible you are reading. God passed his judgment in times passed for these same acts. You need to consult the Holy bible and check your theology before making a statement like that. It's ok though. I love everyone with Christ love. Remember we change but He (The GOD of all creation) never changes.
Yeah, wouldn't want to have an actual citizen's vote on it. That'd just make the courts mad when it goes down in flames like is has every time this issue actually went to the people rather than the lobbyists' thralls... Another reason to avoid despite being born there (got out as soon as I could).
Congrats from the Confederacy. Good for New York now bring it down south 🙂 Thanks to all the Gods for making the gays.
There goes the neighborhood. "Mommy, which one of you is my daddy?"
Mommy... why does the catholic priest touch me like that???
"Neither of us is your Daddy, sweetheart." – Wow that one was tough.
How about this one: "Mommy, why can a boy and a girl that don't know each other get drunk in Vegas and get married, but you and Mommy can't even though you love each other?"
I am a gay Christian, and through prayer and an informed reading of Scripture, I have come to understand that God made me to be just as I am and he loves me just as I am.
God bless you, Casey!
Jesus will respond, "I never knew you, depart from Me". (Matt 7:23)
DC: Jebus and I want you to depart from this board...
As a Christian living in the south...GO NY!!
Jesus' second greatest commandment was to love our neighbor as ourselves, so of course I want my neighbors to have the same right as me.
If you are reading the Bible and think it's saying to hate a people group, you're doing it wrong...
I love myself everyday!
Ladies and Gentlemen, this just in from our CNN correspondent in Albany, "the sky is not falling, I repeat, the sky is NOT falling". congrats NY!
Christians don't hate people, Kristin, they hate sin.
Well stated Kristin! I am a Christian who supports marriage equality and prays for those who hide behind their distorted, hate based beliefs. ^5 to you!
@DC Hating sin is usually indistinguishable to hating the sinner, especially amongst Christians. That saying is usually a thin screen, barely obscuring simple hate. Deal with the issues in your churches before judging others.
What issues, PM, since you seem to know so much?
@DC You assume a lot. I grew up in a Christian household, on the mission field, considered being a pastor. I saw lots of people judging and now accountability.
E.L.E. EVERYBODY LOVE EVERYBODY
Love it, love it, love it.
Tonight on this board we see the essence of Progressivism, Liberalism, and Obamist Bigotry. When people speak against anything that you CNNistas worship you viciously attack them. I mention my love for my neighbors boston terriers and hysteria break out here.
Your argument against gay marriage is so pathetic and ignorant, can you tell me in all the states that gay marriage is allow some one have married a cat or dog or some other animal, the answer is not, So you stop with your absurd and pathetic arguments to oppose gay marriage because it sounds crazy and very untruth, poor pathetic full of hate person
george, I feel your love tonight. You are such a fine, tolerant, Progressive, individual.
obamayakyak: Your PRIEST feels your love... oh baby!
Just as soon as your dog can sign a legal paper, buy property, file suit in a court, open up a bank account, or CONSENT to marriage you two are free to wed. Until then you're just a dog-diddler and I hope she/he mauls you next time you try.
But better luck next time with your ummmm..... logic? I guess you'll have to go back to the Stupid Argument Bank and try another. (Oh, and BTW ALL the same arguments apply to underaged persons so you can forget that one too!) Good luck, Brainiac!
The only thing you're NOT mentioning, is that you are in reality a thirteen-year-old twerp sitting at his computer WITHOUT Mommy's permission, spewing drivel into chat boards meant for adults while you inhale the smell of your own fragrant farts every time you type the word 'OBAMACARE," though you haven't the first idea what the hell that even means. You need to be studying, not playing the little troll that you are, tramp-tramp-tramping under the bridge...
I always though New York was gay.
Now Gay New Yorkers can stop comparing themselves to black people. I guess you can ride in the front of the bus, no longer have to tuse the gay water fountain, you can have dinner in the front of the restaurant stay and any hotel. I'm sorry what civil rights were violated?????
Look up the definition of Civility.. You'll figure it out.. or not. Doesn't really matter.
Dont be sorry, BE HAPPY!
Peter – That would be the right to marry. Now pay attention.
Q: ...what civil rights were violated?"
A: The ones you failed to mention. You know what they are. Don't play ignorant. That game is over.
Or, how about you tell us the sad story of when you got kicked out of your house when your parents discovered you were black? Oh, that didn't happen? You know ANYBODY that ever happened to?
Huh. I could have SWORN that you had it worse in ALL ways and nobody else can even compare then here it turns out that you had family and community to surround you when you were hurt and confused. Maybe you need to count your blessings and stop taking it out on other people or groups. Just a thought.
Some people need to take an ill pill
So let me guess. This grand event will be celebrated in the streets of NY with young men stripping down to their jock straps, smearing rouge on their faces, strapping feathers on their butts, and parading up Broadway.
Not likely, but you can keep hoping! Maybe yo'll get lucky!
Sounds like you want to see that.
If you are jealous you can go and join them, it is very simple, maybe you want to do the same thing , lol
Not all guys are like your father.
ooooh, you think so? brb, getting on the express train to NY!!!
I was in NY during the last gay pride thing. Freak show.
I BET you were in NY at the last Gay Pride Parade. C'mon outta the closet...