New York State Senate passes Gay Marriage Bill

New York, Jun 25: "Marriage is defined by Commitment, not Gender" - this was quoted on most of the hoardings created by the supporters in New York. The controversial and debatable gay marriage topic came to an end when New York became the sixth and most populous US state to allow the same-sex marriage.

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo signed the bill into law and within 30 days of time span gay weddings are expected to start. This resulted to jubilations all over the state.

"New York has finally torn down the barrier that prevented same-sex couples from exercising the freedom to marry and from receiving the fundamental protections that so many couples and families take for granted," Mr Cuomo said in a statement.

Cuomo signed the bill as soon as he received it after the Senate vote rather than waiting for 10 usual days. "It's about time. I want to get married. I want the same rights as anyone else," said 36-year-old student Caroline Jaeger.

But it seemed that New York's Catholic bishops weren't happy and said that they were "deeply disappointed and troubled" by the passage of the bill.

Just four Republicans voted for the bill, but it was enough to make the New York senate the first Republican-controlled legislative chamber in the country to vote in favour of same-sex marriage.

OneIndia News