NY State (My Home State) Passes Gay Marriage Bill !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ALBANY, N.Y. - In a historic late night vote - the last vote of the legislative session, after years of failed efforts to align votes in both Assembly and the Senate, and on the eve of New York City pride - the New York state Senate late Friday approved the Marriage Equality Act, granting same-sex couples the right to marry.
New York will become the sixth, and most populous U.S. state to-date, to allow gays and lesbians to wed - the bill passed by a vote 33-29.
Earlier in the evening, the state Assembly approved the amended version of bill, which included religious exemptions attached in the Senate.
Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who championed the bill and listed marriage equality as among his top three legislative priorities for the year, has promised to sign the bill into law. Same-sex unions can begin 30 days after that.
“New York’s a big deal,” said James Esseks,” the director of the ACLU’s LGBT Project. “And in terms of cultural relevance to the rest of the country, it’s huge.”
Esseks predicted New York would lead a procession of states in approving same-sex marriage, though with most state legislatures finished with or nearing the end of their annual sessions, significant movement is not likely until next year.
The Senate adjourned moments after announcing the bill’s passage.
Click to viewYay for my home state! Now all I need is to find a rich boyfriend willing to slip a ring on my finger, buy a house, have 1.2 kids and move to Sicily or Naples.