News that a “marriage equality” measure was headed toward passage Friday night was greeted by cheers and shouts among members of the New York State Bar Association House of Delegates attending the organization’s summer meeting in Cooperstown.
After a week of nail-biting negotiations and appeals to conscience, the Senate voted, 33-29, to give final approval to a bill, A-08354, that recognizes gay marriage in New York. The proposal passed with the support of every Democrat but one and four Republicans. Govenor Andrew M. Cuomo immediately signed a measure that he had made one of his top priorities.