Same Sex Marriage Bill passed in New York

In New York, same-sex marriage is now legal as the bill has been passed by state lawmakers at 11:15pm on 24th June, 2011. After the State legislature voted 33-29, Governor Andrew Cuomo signed the bill. 1st time such a bill has been approved by state senators with a Republican majority. The law will be effective on 24th July (30 days after the Governor signs it into law). New York has become the largest state in the union to legalize same-sex marriage. Gay couples also get right to divorce by the legislation.

Image source: politico.com

When the law becomes effective, the population of Americans to whom same-sex marriage is legal will be doubled. Michael Bloomberg, the Mayor of New York called the vote a "historic triumph for equality and freedom." New York joins Massachusetts, Vermont, Connecticut, New Hampshire, Iowa, and the District of Columbia who allow same-sex couples to marry. New York becomes the 3rd state after Vermont and New Hampshire to permit same-sex marriage by a legislative act and without being forced to do so by a court. For any Republican who voted for the bill, opponents of the marriage equality law have promised to take political action against them.

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