[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.
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This is a very sad day for America.
You're a very sad excuse for an American.
How exactly so? Why is this different from any other state that has legalized gay marriage? They did it and the sun still rises and sets. Get past your bigotry and join the 21st Century.
Nick seems a little intolerant, don't you think ?
Happiness only comes from within.
I agree Chris...We are going to be surrounded by perverts...
I definitely agree that this will bring about chaos – gays have finally pushed many of us too far.
But a great day for TRUE Americans who value freedom and believe that all men and women are created equal.
I agree Chris. The founding fathers are rolling over in their graves!
Yes, god forbid they have the SAME rights that you have. You are all a bunch of bigoted jerks.
Pat: Leave catholic priests out of this...
Haha... chaos, huh? Lots of CHAOS happenin up there in Vermont, huh? Woo-boy... those chaotic Vermontieers...
Actually this is a great day for America. One more state has taken the brave step to side with equality and justice for all of its citizens.
Why do you give a flying F?? If you aren't gay, and you mind your own business and worry about your own life this should have no effect on your life whatsoever. It's a piece of paper that has the WORST contract in the world on it.... if gay people want it they should have it.
Well, a sad day for bigots and the closed minded, anyway but quite a victorious day for Equality and all those other really good things America is supposed to stand for. Get with the program.
The only reason why it's sad is because religion, bigots and judgmental people have lost one battle of the few more to come. But of course that is not sad for most of us, sane, fair and reasoning ones.
You're right jewell, the founding fathers probably are rolling over in their graves. I mean first we gave darkies equal rights, and now the GAYS?! Obviously when they said "land of the free" they meant for that to be restricted to white males. Did your father or husband give you permission to use the computer before you got on???
To the remark "all men and women are created equal"
So not true- never will be! for only a woman is able to carry a baby the natural way and give it birth the way God intended!
And the in the business world financially men have the advantage when it comes to pay. y?
Whoever says marriage equality can't be passed with republican support, clearly isn't paying attention in NY
keep that stuff up north & out west... we have no need for that stuff in the south
The gay people in the South need equality under the law just like everyone else. You can kick and scream and through your tantrums but eventually what's right will even come to the most backwards of areas in the U.S.
Please don't presume to speak for everyone in the south. You don't represent the opinions of thinking people here.
It is coming shep, it is coming, open your mind, what is you fear? Where does it come from? Think it's contagious? What scares you so much? How will this affect you and your life?
JRH – "Thinking people"... "South".... now that's rich!!!
I live in the soth and couldn't be happier with the decision. Don't inflate your ego and think you speak for everyone in the south... you don't.
When did people in the SOUTH start THINKING?
Say it isn't so...
Congrats to New York for doing the right thing, now let the federal courts uphold Judge Walker's decision to overturn prop 8 in California
There is no reason for gay couples to want to work in churches that don't want "their kind" around, and the few good churches accept–welcome, rather–gay couples anyway.
As civilization evolves socially, most Christian churches and kooky laced-Kool-Aid sects will disappear as the obvious truth about "God" spreads.
The romans evoled like this, and it was right before their downfall, boohoo
Shut up, dude.
Goosebumps...all over
So does this includes a marriage of two men and one women ? Perhaps a German Shepard and a women ? Why not ?
You're pathetic.
No, it does not legalize your fantasies. Sorry.
The German Shephard can't say "I do".
it doesn't but it should. people should be able to marry into any arrangement they want as consenting adults. Unlike David who after he slew goliath murdered Bathsheba's husband so he could have her himself.
...because dogs are another species, I am assuming? We get it, you think two guys together is weird, gross, whatever. Its all the same argument. Just move on. Your side lost. I am just glad that one more state is moving to marriage equality.
@obamayakyak lol
obamayakyak is a tool
arf arf
if the German shepherd doesn't want it,, it will bite, people should stop pushing rules and morals makeing up reasons why it isn't right to love your animal,,
all these hoops they create, "cant say I do" why are your rules the right rules, talk about a double standard, animal love is aok
Thank you New York....equal rights for all!
I <3 NY!!! So proud to be living here right now!!!
an abomination!!!!!!!!!!!!
Did you look in the mirror again?
We know you are, but we try to keep it under the rug. You should try to help us out with that a little more!
Finally, almost equal to Canada, but not quite.
I am so so happy. I have been waiting for this day for many years. Now I can be happy and marry the love of my life.
Never been so ashamed to be from NY. This is absurd.
DON'T CALL MY NAME, DON'T CALL MY NAME, ALEJANDRO!
So who's stopping you from moving to Afghanistan or Saudi Arabia? They kill gays there, so I'm sure you'd fit right in.
JRH – Now that's not nice... speaking like that. You need to go to your local priest and repent. (Hope you're not a young boy, tho... Jus' Sayin')
The dog may have better taste!