By 365gay Newswire
(Washington) The New York State Assembly voted 89-52 Tuesday in favor of marriage for same-sex couples. The legislation will now move to the State Senate.
“It’s great to see the Assembly strongly re-affirm its support for marriage equality. It’s time for the Senate, which now has pro-equality leadership, to ensure that loving, committed same-sex couples in New York can have the same rights and responsibilities under the law as loving, committed different-sex couples,” said Human Rights Campaign president Joe Solmonese.
In June 2007, the New York State Assembly voted 85-61 in favor of a marriage equality bill. That bill stalled in the Senate, which was then controlled by the GOP.
In 2006 the New York Court of Appeals ruled against marriage equality, stating that it should be resolved by the legislature. New York currently recognizes marriages by same-sex couples legally entered into in another jurisdiction, but does not permit same-sex couples to marry in New York.
Five states have recognized marriage for same-sex couples under state law: Massachusetts, Connecticut, Iowa, Vermont (effective September 1, 2009), and Maine (effective September, 2009, pending a possible referendum). California recognized marriage by same-sex couples between June and November of 2008, before voters approved Proposition 8. The Proposition 8 vote has been challenged in court; a decision by the state supreme court is expected by June.
The New Hampshire state legislature has approved legislation recognizing marriage equality for same-sex couples; that legislation will go to the Governor’s desk. Same-sex couples do not receive federal rights and benefits in any state.
*365Gay.com
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