New York became the 6th and largest state to approve same-sex marriages late Friday night on a 33-29 vote in the New York State Senate. The traditionally Democratic state joined Massachusetts, Connecticut, Iowa, Vermont, New Hampshire and the District of Columbia in allowing equal rights to all types of marriages, including gay and lesbian couples. The bill was initially introduced by New York Governor Andrew Cuomo and passed the New York State Assembly on June 15 of this year. With his signature late Friday night, the bill will take effect July 24, 2011.
The affirmative vote marks the culmination of weeks of lobbying and activism on both sides of the issue. As recently as yesterday, supporters did not have enough votes to secure passage. Even with enough votes, there was still concern that Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos (R) would not call a vote on the bill. After two fellow Republicans, Stephen Saland of Poughkeepsie and Mark Grisanti of Buffalo, changed their positions to support the bill on the house floor, Skelos agreed to call a vote at 6 p.m. local time. Skelos released Senators to cast votes in their own opinion, citing the need for “a vote of conscience for every member of the Senate.”
The bill, harshly criticized by Republicans and Democratic Senator Ruben Diaz, Sr. of Buffalo, required an amendment protecting religious organizations from potential lawsuits in order to secure the necessary votes. Sponsor Tom Duane (D) eventually gained enough support to pass his bill, following a procedural vote in the State Assembly earlier Friday to support the amended version. With this vote, New York guarantees equal marriage rights, privileges and benefits to all couples, regardless of sex, sexual preference or sexual orientation. The gay-rights advocates can count this as a huge victory in their column, as New York is the home of the movement.
