Same-sex marriage bill

The New York State Assembly took an important first step in allowing homosexual couples the right to marry when it passed a gender-neutral marriage bill with an 85 to 61 vote.
“The passage of the marriage equality bill affirms the strength and commitment of our relationships and the value and worth of our children and families,” said Cathy Marino-Thomas, the co-executive director of Marriage Equality New York (MENY).
The initial program bill was introduced on April 27 by Governor Eliot Spitzer. In the Assembly, the chief sponsor on the piece of legislation, A8590, was Assemblymember Daniel O’Donnell.
Under the recently passed bill, changes to the Domestic Relations Law would allow same-sex couples to “enjoy all of the rights, responsibilities, and protections that other families receive,” according to MENY.
“Same-sex couples and their families must be free to choose to secure all the rights and responsibilities that come with marriage in New York State,” said Marcia A. Pappas, the president of the National Organization for Women-New York State.
In the New York State Senate, the legislation, S5884, is being headed by Senator Thomas Duane. The senate did not vote on the bill prior to the end of the session.