In a historic vote, the New York State Senate passed the marriage equality bill Friday, making New York state the sixth and most populous state to offer civil marriage for same-sex couples. History has been made not only in New York city, my home town, but in the entire state itself.
The New York senate is the first Republican-controlled legislative body to pass a marriage equality bill. Once again history was made! I guess that is why New York state is called the “empire state.”
The marriage equality law will take effect 30 days after being signed by Gov. Andrew Cuomo. New York state is home to almost 20 million people and the nation’s largest city, New York will double the number of Americans living in a state with marriage equality and bring attention to the latest chapter in the gay rights movement.Currently, five states — Massachusetts, Connecticut, Iowa, Vermont and New Hampshire — and the District of Columbia grant same-sex marriage licenses.
Activists on both sides of the issue gathered in the state capitol, Albany. They chanted opposing slogans, petitioning for either “marriage equality” or yelling “one man, one woman” in defense of the institution’s traditional definition. But once the bill passed chants of “USA, USA, USA…” were heard throughout the senate chamber.
This I feel is a major victory in gay rights. In New York, he can now marry he. And she can marry she. This is the America we should all hope for.
New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, who courted Republican state senators to approve the bill, called the vote a “historic triumph for equality and freedom.”
Is this progress? My answer is “Yes… This is progress.” And may this historic vote and process tell other states to do the same thing as well.
The effects of the law could be felt well beyond New York: Unlike Massachusetts, which pioneered gay marriage in 2004, New York has no residency requirement for obtaining a marriage license, meaning the state could become a magnet for gay couples across the country who want to have a wedding in Central Park, the Hamptons, the romantic Hudson Valley or that honeymoon hot spot, Niagara Falls.
While court challenges in New York are all but certain, the state unlike California makes it difficult for the voters to repeal the laws at the ballot box. Changing the law would require a constitutional convention, which is a very long drawn out process.
But that is not going to happen any time soon I think. What I do find to be funny is the fact that the New York state same-sex marriage vote was covered for over sixty (60) plus minutes by MSNBC & CNN. It was covered for only 2 minutes by Fox News.
Then again… That is Fox’s typical fear of change in life.
So with that all said I say “bravo” to the New York State Senate. I am very happy and proud to be a member of this great state and city that I live in.
I guess that is why New York state is called the empire state. 
Lu Logic
