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New York Governor Andrew Cuomo’s efforts to legalize gay marriage have come to fruition. On the night of June 24th, Governor Cuomo signed a bill that legalized gay marriage in New York. Cuomo’s signature makes New York the largest state where same-sex couples can wed.
The legalization of gay marriage in New York has been in the works for some years. In December 2009, a bid to permit same-sex marriages in New York was vetoed by the New York Senate. In 2010, Governor Cuomo vowed to support same-sex marriages. However, this issue was pushed aside because Cuomo’s “…early months in office were dominated by intense battles with lawmakers and some labor unions over spending cuts.”
Mr. Cuomo was finally able to refocus his attention on making same-sex marriages legal in 2011. This issue became one his highest concerns for the year. Governor Cuomo’s top aide set out to synchronize the efforts of six regional gay-rights groups whose fighting and inefficiency may have contributed to the loss in 2009.
The approval of the 2011 gay marriage bill was undecided until minutes before the vote. Fortunately, the bill was approved 33 to 29. Four senators who were originally opposed to against permitting same-sex marriage in 2009 changed their minds “…saying [that] their constituents’ thinking on the socially divisive issue had evolved.”
New York is now the seventh state that legally recognizes same-sex marriages. The first state to legally recognize gay marriage was Massachusetts in November 2003. The other five states are: Washington, D.C., Connecticut, Iowa, New Hampshire, and Vermont. Rhode Island, New York, and Maryland acknowledge same-sex marriages from other states.
Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, and New Jersey allow civil unions and also offer “state-level spousal rights to same-sex couples.” Unmarried couples in domestic relationships are provided some state-level spousal rights in Hawaii, Maine, Wisconsin, and District of Columbia due to their statewide laws. Oregon, Nevada, Washington, and California have enacted statewide laws that allow unmarried same-sex couples in domestic partnerships nearly all state-level spousal rights.
California has been indecisive when it comes to the issue of legalizing gay marriage. In May 2008, the California Supreme Court declared that same-sex couples could marry in California. Later in the same year, the ratification of Proposition 8, “which amended the California state constitution to define marriage as between one man and one woman,” made it illegal for same-sex couples to marry. However, same-sex marriage ceremonies preceding the confirmation of Proposition 8 are still legitimate. In August of 2010, a federal district judge decided that denying marriage to same sex couples under Proposition 8 was unconstitutional. This decision will take full effect once it reaches final approval.
The issue of legalizing gay marriage has been a hot-button topic on the American political front for over a decade. Supporters and opponents of legalizing same-sex marriage each have their own reasons for accepting or denying it. No one knows for sure what direction this issue will take but Governor Andrew Cuomo should be applauded for legalizing gay marriage in New York. After all, all people–regardless of their sexual orientations–deserve a chance to truly love someone and be loved in return. 
Jon Manning studied political science and economics at University of Texas - Austin. He is a regular contributor to various newspapers, blogs, and websites in the United States. He often writes about current affairs, sports, and most recently the housing market.
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