When Was Gay Marriage Legal in New York? A Historical Overview
Gay marriage became legal in New York on July 24, 2011. This was a landmark moment for marriage equality, here's the full story.
New York became the sixth and largest state in the United States to legalise same-sex marriage on June 24, 2011, when Governor Andrew Cuomo signed the Marriage Equality Act into law. The first marriages took place 30 days later, on July 24, 2011.
The Path to the Marriage Equality Act
The road to marriage equality in New York was long. The New York State Assembly passed a same-sex marriage bill in 2007, 2009, and 2011. The decisive Senate vote came on June 24, 2011, passing by 33 to 29 votes.
The Impact on New York City
New York City's first same-sex marriages on July 24, 2011 were celebrated across the five boroughs. City Hall opened at midnight, and hundreds of couples were married in ceremonies across the city.
Obergefell v. Hodges, Federal Recognition
On June 26, 2015, the US Supreme Court ruled in Obergefell v. Hodges that same-sex couples have a constitutional right to marry nationwide, making New York's landmark 2011 law a model for the country.
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