New York legalizes same-sex marriage

June 26, 2011

The passed a bill Friday that legalizes same-sex marriage in the state. It was signed into law by Democratic governor. New York now becomes the sixth and largest U.S. state with legalized same-sex marriage. The practice is legal in Connecticut, Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire, Iowa and Washington, D.C..

Four Senate Republicans including of,  of ,  of , and  of , joined 29 Democrats in support, for a margin of 33 to 29. Grisanti defended his vote, stating "I cannot deny a person, a human being, a taxpayer, a worker, the same rights I have with my wife". Governor Cuomo referred to the four Republicans as "people of courage and...principle."

Gay rights activists, who had spent over $1 million to lobby legislators, cheered the passage, which had failed two years before and had been debated for several weeks. president exclaimed that "History was made today in New York. This victory sends a message that marriage equality across the country will be a reality very soon." New York City  hailed the passage as leaving the state "stronger than we were yesterday".

But detractors of the bill reacted differently. Chairwoman of the  blamed the state Republican Party for the passage and argued that "sadly it's the families of New York who will pay the worst price of the new government-backed redefinition of marriage." The state's released a statement that commented that the bill "alter[s] radically and forever humanity's historic understanding of marriage [and] leaves us deeply disappointed and troubled".

The new law, which will take effect in 30 days, also allows same-sex couples to be eligible for state marriage benefits.