Andrew Cuomo, Michael Bloomberg, Christine Quinn attend New York City Gay Pride
Mon. June 27, 2011 2:10 PM by Carlos Santoscoy
New York City -
New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg and City Council Speaker Christine Quinn celebrated passage of a gay marriage law in New York by attending New York City's Gay Pride Parade on Sunday.
On Friday, Cuomo's proposed legislation cleared its final hurdle, the Senate, with four Republicans joining all but one Democrat, Ruben Diaz Sr. of the Bronx. The governor quickly signed the bill into law and gay and lesbian couples will be able to marry in the Empire State next month.
The first-term Democratic governor spearheaded the effort. He won over two fence-sitting Republicans, Senators Mark Grisanti and Stephen Saland, by negotiating with the Senate GOP caucus on protections for religious groups.
Mayor Bloomberg, a Republican turned independent, was in Albany last week to lend a hand. He met privately with lawmakers and urged them to vote for the bill. Last month, Bloomberg delivered a major speech in support of marriage equality.
Quinn, who is openly lesbian, had also campaigned in favor of the law, often appearing with Bloomberg at various rallies. Quinn and her partner of 10 years, lawyer Kim Catullo, plan to wed next spring.
The win in New York comes after years of lobbying – the Assembly first approved the bill in 2007 – and before Cuomo signed the bill into law, he thanked the efforts of his predecessor, Governor David Paterson.
At the parade, Cuomo said this year's event was "extra special."
"It is time for marriage equality all across this country," Cuomo told jubilant supporters. "New York for many, many years has served as the progressive beacon for this country. And passing marriage equality I think advances the entire discussion in terms of social justice. And I am so proud and honored to be the governor of this state signing this law into effect."
On Friday, Cuomo's proposed legislation cleared its final hurdle, the Senate, with four Republicans joining all but one Democrat, Ruben Diaz Sr. of the Bronx. The governor quickly signed the bill into law and gay and lesbian couples will be able to marry in the Empire State next month.
The first-term Democratic governor spearheaded the effort. He won over two fence-sitting Republicans, Senators Mark Grisanti and Stephen Saland, by negotiating with the Senate GOP caucus on protections for religious groups.
Mayor Bloomberg, a Republican turned independent, was in Albany last week to lend a hand. He met privately with lawmakers and urged them to vote for the bill. Last month, Bloomberg delivered a major speech in support of marriage equality.
Quinn, who is openly lesbian, had also campaigned in favor of the law, often appearing with Bloomberg at various rallies. Quinn and her partner of 10 years, lawyer Kim Catullo, plan to wed next spring.
The win in New York comes after years of lobbying – the Assembly first approved the bill in 2007 – and before Cuomo signed the bill into law, he thanked the efforts of his predecessor, Governor David Paterson.
At the parade, Cuomo said this year's event was "extra special."
"It is time for marriage equality all across this country," Cuomo told jubilant supporters. "New York for many, many years has served as the progressive beacon for this country. And passing marriage equality I think advances the entire discussion in terms of social justice. And I am so proud and honored to be the governor of this state signing this law into effect."
Article provided in partnership with On Top Magazine