Wonderful moment. I'm so proud to be a New Yorker.

Yay!

Kudos to Governor Cuomo! A man of his word!!!

Truly a day to reflect upon and celebrate all those who have waited so long to be recognized as equals...thank you, New York!

With all the problems facing New York State this is the priority in Albany! SICK

This is good on many levels. It will promote growth in a stagnant state, and it puts New York ahead of the curve for a change. The extension of liberty to all is an important, historic event. This makes us special again. This makes us the Empire State again.

Westchester Marriage Equality Celebration
Saturday, June 25th at 1 pm
Steps of White Plains City Hall, on Main Street
We now have 1,324 reasons to celebrate !
(the # of rights that come with a NYS marriage license)
Sponsored by The LOFT: LGBT Community Services Center

Amen. Marriage equality an answer to many, many prayers. Thank you, God, for what you have been doing in NY. 0 The Rev. Jeff Geary, White Plains Presbyterian Church

HALLELUJAH!

Finally! So, so happy.

I am absolutely thrilled with this vote. Sorry Greg Ball couldn't be on the right side on this one, but happy it passed without him. And I promise, the sun will keep on rising and the sky will not fall!

It's just a matter of time before the ACLU challenges the religious institution exclusion from the GM law and litigates established religion out of existence. It's a great day indeed, enjoy.

Put it on the ballot. See what the people really want. You will never be able to legislate acceptance by passing a bill in the dead of night and giving gays special rights by signing it before the 10 days have passed.

Pure pandering to 3% of the population.

This is an awesome moment in New York history - everyone should have equal rights!

Congratuations to the people of NY and the United States of America!

"I cannot find a legal reason why same-sex couples should not be married" - Senator Grisanti supporting NY Marriage Equality

"I have come to believe that all New Yorkers should be entitled to the same 1324 rights that come with a civil marriage." - Statement By Senator Grisanti Regarding his “Yes” Vote

It's about time. This is about Civil Rights and nothing more. No one is trying to change someone's beliefs. We live by the Constitution of the United States.

Another red herring non-issue designed to distract from the real problems facing NY. Like the fact that despite this wonderful "civil rights" victory, New York is no longer a free state. For what it's worth, gays now have the right to marry. Good for them, I wonder if that will be enough to keep them from joining the mass exodus out of NYS. Our Legislature is controlled by the municipal unions who own the politicians of both parties, so I assume you can thank them for their support, otherwise this would never have happened. While this super important battle for gay rights was being fought, the same unions weasled their way out of pension and benefit reforms that could have saved the over-stressed taxpayers millions. Talk about screwed up priorities.

What a great way for governor Cuomo to make his way into the history books , congratulations

Funny, the topics that the liberal owned patch consider covering.

And I'm still married! Phew. From all the rhetoric, I thought this would destroy my marriage, and I'd wake up divorced today.
Congratulations to all of the loving couples who will now be joined in wedded bliss (and all the good, bad and mundane that goes with it.) We'll toss a little rice in your honor today.

Civil Rights? The Government has limited your freedom of speech; the corporations have dessimated the frre press; the DOJ has officially spat on your freedom from warrantless searches; the Government can seize your property without warrants and never give you a day in court to get it back; the new Quartering Acts have allowed the banks to take your homes (instead of the crown's troops and bureaucrats); your right to a defense is limited to impoverished defense attorneys who haven't had a raise in 10 years and earn 1/4 of what the judges and prosecutors get; your right to redress your grievances barely exists, and you will be punished for asserting your civil rights by paying the government's legal fees when you lose. But hooray for the minority population that just got recognized. You can now live and raise your families in a fascist police state just like the rest of us. Its not about Civil Rights . . . . its a way for the politicians to try and entrench themselves deeper into their positions of power. Wake up America!

Is NY state now going introduce Polygamy to those who believe in having multiple wives? I personally do not have a problem with this as I have several cousins who are gay and have had partners for many, many years. What you do is your business, not mine. As a parent with two small children who we are raising in a very conservative manner I do mind and don't appreciate it when the LGBT agenda is pushed down the throats of parents who see differently (especially through the public school system that I pay into). I am sure the next agenda is to introduce "Tango Make Three" to NY Kindergardners. Tolerance goes both ways folks. Seems like those who force it upon us cannot tolerate those of us who have opposing views. God Bless!

I think this was a good thing. People do not remember that a little over 40 years ago it was illegal for an interracial couple to marry. Now it is commonplace for mixed race couples to get married and no one thinks anything of it. In another 40 years people will think nothing of a gay or lesbian couple. Time changes and we need to change with it.

Naomi

As a straight man with numerous Gay and Lesbian friends, All I can say is "Its about time".

I'm sick and tired of carious churches (and you know who I'm talking about), trying to force their beliefs on those of us who really don't agree with them.

While everyone has the right to think and believe what they feel is best for them, I, for one, don't want those beliefs shoved down my throat, or made to feel that I'm wrong for not falling into line with their agendas.

Now if we can get those of you who feel that abortion is wrong to either shut up or go away, life would be much more pleasant.

Now Teddy is still doing the Ted Kennedy Shuffle...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=srfcx5B8ktI

Marriage Equality for same sex individuals is a misnomer. The term Marriage Equality is an oxymoron, in that the term alone can never symbolize genuine equality of marriage, because “natural” marriage (natural union) is absolute and perfect under Natural Law. Barring any religious connotation, a natural relationship is “innate” to the human subconscious mind and leads to procreation with another from the opposite sex, thus supporting a viable and natural “evolution” of mankind. Anything less, is still and always will be, and must be a legislated civil union; which is ok! A civil union is a term devised and implemented at the hands of man to get around what man cannot change on this earth, what is absolute and perfect, which are the basic tenants of universal Natural Laws.

Marriage equality for same sex individuals is theoretically possible for the autocrats in Albany, and their special interest constituents, but divinely and pragmatically impossible for most, because offspring cannot naturally result from such a union. It’s very simple; marriage is natural union of two persons defined by “a” higher power. And whether you or I like it or not, only that power has the right to define a natural declaration of marriage as between a man and a woman; the only “union” that can produce offspring and sustain humanity. Anything less is and can “only” be considered a legislated civil union; one legislated at the hands of man. Albany cannot defy “natural law” through legislation. Who do you think you are? Who do you think we are? Our freedoms are god given and can easily be lost at the hands of autocrats and big out of control government. Marriage Equality Act in New York State is at best insincere because it’s still just, and can only a civil union.

Just wondering if people would post the same vitriol if they didn't hide behind anonymous scree names.

@ Deeply Concerned: Don't know if your comment was directed at me: "i can’t tolerate people who don’t think gay marriage is right, i hope ur kids get a good dose of the LGBT agenda cuz their parents aren't gonna teach equality for all".

But if it was: My kids will learn about LGBT when I FEEL AS A PARENT they are able to understand it emotionally and process it, not some public school teacher or politician who has no idea what our values are as a family. Oh and BTW my children DO NOT attend public school but catholic school so you can forget about them learning about the LGBT agenda. I, as a parent will choose WHEN I will teach MY CHILDREN about being a gay, transexual, etc. because it is a fact of life but I will do so on my watch not someone else’s who does not care about the emotional welfare of MY CHILDREN.

Apparently there was no 'other' side of this issue. Not very fair reporting.

Great, the State is going bankrupt and people are fleeing in droves, but gays can get married now!!!!!!!!!!!! Priorities!

In the best selling book The Four Agreements don Miguel Ruiz gives four principles to practice in order to create love and happiness in your life. Anger and hate become disease. There are many things during life that we don't agree with but is continuing to hate and be angry worth your quality of life?
Let it go and focus on all the things you love about life.

The Four Agreements are:

1. Be Impeccable with your Word: Speak with integrity. Say only what you mean. Avoid using the Word to speak against yourself or to gossip about others. Use the power of your Word in the direction of truth and love.

2. Don’t Take Anything Personally
Nothing others do is because of you. What others say and do is a projection of their own reality, their own dream. When you are immune to the opinions and actions of others, you won’t be the victim of needless suffering.

3. Don’t Make Assumptions
Find the courage to ask questions and to express what you really want. Communicate with others as clearly as you can to avoid misunderstandings, sadness and drama. With just this one agreement, you can completely transform your life.

4. Always Do Your Best
Your best is going to change from moment to moment; it will be different when you are healthy as opposed to sick. Under any circumstance, simply do your best, and you will avoid self-judgment, self-abuse, and regret.

Cuomo should have went to bed and told his Aides, I will find out the outcome in the morning and then sign it without all the hoopla. It may be a long time before he should be able to receive Communion. If you are a Catholic , you are suppose to be one all the time . Can you say ABOMINATION. It is what it is, sorry folks. We all will meet are maker one day and he will not buy the excuse of' saying " personally I am against it but as an elected official I did what the people { sinners } wanted." By the way I don't live in a glass house.

Finally! This is truly fantastic news--better late than never. Another major step forward in basic human rights, hopefully now even more states will follow suit.

@Bjorn: Sounds like you might be better off with home schooling if you wish to make sure that noone teaches or discusses topics you wish to save for later.

Obviously you know nothing about a Catholic Education.

@ Deeply Concerned: And why do you think I would not teach them tolerance? You assume way too much. Just because I don't agree with gay marriage does not mean I will not tolerate it or teach my children about tolerance, respect and love. What people do in their bedroom is none of my business and whom they choose to love is none of my business either. But teaching my children IS MY BUSINESS and I will teach my children how I see fit and when they are old enough. As they mature emotionally the can determine and formulate an opinion on their own what their values will be.

This rag is just an extension of the Huffington Post or worse with these biased reporters who are getting fired from the Journal News and other liberal rag sheets getting new found power and censoring remarks that do not fit into their liberal agenda.

The people who drafted the Constitution of this great country were religious men- they wanted freedom of religion, but made sure the State did not have it's own sponsored one.

I don’t know what your problem is with Christianity. No of my postings were specifically relative to any one particular religion. Why are you constantly angry about Christianity? Where is your tolerance? What is your take on natural law in relation to marriage equality? Not a problem for you?

Im having fun, there is no argument against gay marriage, saying it is not right for some feeling inside you or something isnt a reason to not have marriage equality. even if you believe that so deeply that you will fight for it tooth and nail its still not right. anything you post that is against this is wrong so you will just look dumb if you try to prove me wrong.

Well, no sense in arguing it anymore-it is done- and society will be so much better for it- the economy will improve, people will get back to work, quality of life will improve for all, the the debt this sick generation is dumping onto our kids and grandkids will just go away, and the terrorists will no longer hate us. All is right with the world.

One sided reporting. This is not journalism. It is an edited opinion blog. A mini version of the Huffing AOL mess. It's enough to make me stop reading. Or maybe just read comics which contain more accurate and balanced opinions. At least Superman admits he is no longer an American.

I wish gay folks who want to marry all the luck in the world. Gays achieving their full civil rights in no way diminishes my civil rights. What scares me is all the folks who are proclaiming to know what the will of the Almighty is. Maybe all God wants is for us to be kind and tolerant of each other. Of course not having a direct line to the higher power I am only guessing.

While everyone had their pants in a twist celebrating the gay marriage BS, the crooks in the Legislature used the brouhaha to sneak in one of the most costly zingers ever conceived of by the vile thugs who run the teachers union. The law, passed in the dead of night, while these idiots are patting themselves on the back, will allow the crooks on our school boards to get around the property tax cap by allowing them to BOND the extra money it will cost to fund the teachers' lavish pensions. This is pure back door borrowing- the voters will have no say, there will be NO vote on this. So imagine how this is going to play out: no cuts in pensions and we will paying for them over the course of decades. Or our children and grandchildren will. So please excuse me if I don't get all excited because gays can now get married. Who cares? Will they even be able to afford to live in NYS after they tie the knot?

Let see if this gets removed:
If this is about people exercising their constitutional rights than I ask this question. Would the next logical step be allowing a brother and sister to marry? Excluding the potential medical risks of their offspring what is the difference? Don't they have a civil right to marry the person of their choice?
That said I have no religious or personal reasons to deny gays happiness. Good luck enjoy the rest of your life.

patch is more like a blog then a news source, it allows u to post comments doesnt it, lay off the journalists, just keep trying to convince people how bad gay marriage is and stop ripping on the reporting

Heron since when is a law determined by the amount of people wanting their civil rights. Gays only represent 3%-10% of the population. The US Constitution protects the minority from the majority. The vast majority of people in the US do not find homosexual sex appealing but is this a reason to make it illegal? What is good for the goose is good for the gander. This law has many unintended consequences.

So Meredith you would have to agree that siblings should be allowed to marry?

Have a nice day, Glenn! No time for stupidity.

This whole discussion thread supports my contention that Patch should require commenters to use their real names. The people who hide behind fake screen names feel empowered to say all kinds of crazy, hateful things because they are cowards: If they used their real names they would think twice before hitting the "send" key.

Actually Merideth, if there is no money left to fund those "legal obligations " you call pensions, then what, we just raise taxes 100% or more a year to cover them? I don't think so- either mass layoffs will happen to compensate or the unions will use their heads and come to a fair agreement like they did in Jersey with Gov Christie- or they'll just be forced. One way or the other, the money just aint there.

Hi Theresa,
You bring up something we talk about and work on all the time at Patch. When it comes to our commenting function, we always strive to do better and make improvements all the time, some visible and some behind-the-scenes.
Right now we aren't "checking IDs" at the door, so to speak, but we absolutely enforce our terms of use and can/will/do delete comments and suspend user accounts (including by IP address) for persistent offenders. Deciding what comments stay or go is sometimes the easiest thing I do all day, other times extremely difficult — a true judgment call. As a journalist, I'm always wary of solving issues of free speech with less speech — I don't think that's the answer — but we can't allow this space to be hostile either.
Luckily, the vast majority of our readers are honest, sincere people who wish to have their say on issues of the day in a civil fashion and we are sensitive to not make that process overly burdensome.
A few things everyone should know: Always feel free to report those unwilling to play by the rules (personal attacks, off-topic rants, hate speech) immediately to me at kathleen@patch.com and also familiarize yourself with our "flag" button. That's a method of self-policing that some might find useful.

It's about time New York! Finally!

Would someone please explain to the right that being hateful and name calling completely undermines their argument for the the "Moral" high road?"Judge not lest ye be judged" "do unto others...." "What you do to the least of these..."As a gay Christian, and no that is not an Oxymoron, My relationship with my maker and my appointment with him at the end of my journey on this plain is none of any of your concerns. I was made in the image of my God, and"I am Beautifully and wonderfully made." My God has love enough for all of us, and rejoices that I can love and be loved. It has just been the insecurities and prejudices of Man that has taken so long to catch up. This legislation is the end of a bitter, cruel era, and I rejoice that gay folks from this point onward do not have to see themselves as automatically being "Outside" the law. and when their parents, peers, strangers, bully and abuse them for who they are, they now have legal validation that they too can one day be a part of the "American Dream" and pursue Life, Liberty freedom and Happiness... regardless.

Yes, lets get back on Topic. NYS is once again a leader in Civil Rights. Marriage Equality is right and and affords a lot of loving couples the rights and priviledges so many of us always enjoyed and took for granted. It also restores family values as two loving adults can now take their vows and children can proudly say that there parents are married and not just friends, partners, etc. This will strengthen the sanctury of Marriage and will be a positive step for society. Congratulations to all who have waited so long and for those who will take advantage of this law may your Wedding Day be beautiful and may your Marriage be fill of love & happiness.

Congratulations to those who have same sex partners and will be able to marry. A word of advice from someone who has been married for 17 years. The grass is always greener! A marriage can at times be like a job. But with the right person, regardless of sexual orientation, can be a wonderful union of souls. Good luck to ALL those who plan to marry in the near future. Buckle in!!!!!! AND NO....THIS IS NOT MY REAL NAME.....DOES IT DETRACT FROM THE CONTENT OF MY STATEMENT!!!!!! I THINK NOT

Hi all,
Because the discussion is now settling into a back and forth between just a handful of people I'm closing comments for now. Please feel free to continue the conversation on the story at hand on our Facebook pages, which can be found by searching for the name of your Patch in Facebook. Have a wonderful end to your weekend.