Marriage Equality Legislation Finds a Home in New York State

ALBANY, NY (06/25/2011)(readMedia)-- Last night, the New York State Legislature and Governor Andrew Cuomo (D)took a giant leap forward towards equality for all by voting in favor of same-sex marriage.

National Organization for Women - New York State President Marcia Pappas explained: "NOW-NYS is proud to be part of this historic moment. This bipartisan passage of the Marriage Equality Act will make New York the sixth and largest state where same-sex couples can legally marry. The decades-long lobbying efforts of NOW and a host of other civil rights organizations has eventually paid off. Same-sex marriage is finally a fact in New York. We rejoice for the vote and we stand proud with our Governor, Cuomo, who has advocated tirelessly for this legislation ."

Pappas added that "the timing was superb, this weekend being the big NYC Pride Parade, and for many events around the State celebrating the 42nd anniversary of Manhattan's 1969 Stonewall Rebellion, now accepted around the world as the official start of the GLBT Civil Rights movement."

Pappas summed up: "Today NOW-NYS looks forward to working with our Governor and State legislators on measures for further equality. And this long-awaited decision will set the tone for more states to follow, giving all people the ability to join in rights, responsibilities and privileges of heterosexual couples."