The Republican-led New York State Senate approved same-sex marriage in a 33-29 vote Friday night after days of controversy and sustained debate.
Advocates are heralding the approval as a historic step, as the Empire State will become the sixth state in the nation — and by far, the largest — to legalize same-sex marriage after Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo signs it. Cuomo had lobbied hard for the bill, and its passage is considered a victory for him.
The Senate vote also is viewed as a major gain in an effort to allow gay marriage nationally.
The approval came shortly after Republican Sen. Stephen Saland said he had decided to shift from being undecided to support the bill. In 2009, he voted against a similar bill in 2009, helping kill the measure and dealing a blow to the national gay rights movement.
Before Saland announced his intention, 31 senators were in favor, one short of the majority needed.
The Democrat-led Assembly passed the bill last week.
Iowa, Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, and Connecticut issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples, as does Washington, D.C., according to the Washington-based Human Rights Campaign, which advocates equal rights for gay, bisexual, and transgender people. New York, along with Maryland, recognizes such marriages from other jurisdictions. With 19.4 million residents, New York is the country’s third-most-populous state.
I am sure that these same sex marriages are going to boost not only the taxes but, the home purchasing and the economy in New York. The City will boom more if they would only
CUT TAXES ACROSS THE BOARD.
CONGRATULATION GIRLS
MAY WE ALL HAVE LIFES BEST IN OUR PARTNERS AND FRIENDS, GOD SPEED!
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