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 Same-sex weddings can start taking place in New York. though religious institutions and nonprofit groups with religious affiliations will not be compelled to officiate at such ceremonies. The new legislation also gives gay couples the right to divorce.
"I have to define doing the right thing as treating all persons with equality and that equality includes within the definition of marriage," Republican Senator Stephen Saland said before the bill was passed. He was one of four Republicans to vote for the legislation.
Cheers erupted in the Senate gallery in the state capital Albany and among a crowd of several hundred people who gathered outside New York City's Stonewall Inn, where a police raid in 1969 sparked the modern gay rights movement. Gay marriage is currently banned in 39 states of the USA.
"It's about time. I want to get married. I want the same rights as anyone else," Caroline Jaeger, 36, a student, who was outside the Stonewall Inn.
 New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, an advocate for gay marriage who lobbied state lawmakers in recent weeks, said the vote was an "historic triumph for equality and freedom." "Together, we have taken the next big step on our national journey toward a more perfect union," he said in a statement.
New York City's marketing and tourism group NYC & Company said it was gearing up to turn the city into "the gay weddings destination." "The new legislation is good news for the City's $31 billion travel and tourism industry," said NYC & Company Chief Executive George Fertitta.
New York does appear to the Gay community in th UK to have all the right ingredients needed for a perfect wedding. It's sophisticated, liberated and somewhat of a party capital a little like out own. Gav Richards told UK Wedding Belles. "This would be perfect for me and my partner" We would love to have our wedding there, and then make the short flight to the Bahamas for our honeymoon. This is great news for us, and excellent news for Gay couples in the US"
A key sticking point had been over an exemption that would allow religious officials to refuse to perform services or lend space for same-sex weddings. Most Republicans were concerned the legal protection was not strong enough, so legislative leaders worked with Cuomo to amend his original bill. "God, not Albany, settled the definition of marriage a long time ago," said Senator Ruben Diaz Sr., a Pentecostal minister and the only Democrat to vote against the measure.
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Wedding Magazine 
