UPDATED: June 25, 12:42 a.m.

Same-sex couples can begin marrying by summer’s end after the Marriage Equality Act, which legalizes same-sex marriage in New York State, passed through the state senate late Friday.

Four Republican senators crossed the aisle to help Democrats win a 33-29 vote to pass the legislation, according to an article published by The New York Times June 24. New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed the act into law at 11:55 p.m. Friday night, according to the New York Times.

Once signed, the measure would take 30 days before taking effect, according to the article.

New York is the largest state to allow same-sex marriage and now joins Massachusetts, Connecticut, Iowa, New Hampshire and Vermont, as well as the District of Columbia in disregarding marriage on the basis of gender, according to the article.

Other provisions of the act include regarding gender-specific titles in New York legislation to be interpreted in a ‘gender neutral manner’ and approving marriage licenses regardless of gender, according to a June 24 press release from Cuomo’s office.

The act also includes a provision that says religious institutions are not legally obligated to preside over marriages that conflict with their principles, according to the press release.

‘No religious entity, benevolent organization or not-for-profit corporation that is operated, supervised or controlled by a religious entity, or their employees, can be required to perform marriage ceremonies or provide their facilities for marriage ceremonies, consistent with their religious principles,’ according to the press release.

In the release, Cuomo said the landmark legislation was overdue and commended the Senate for working together.

‘With the world watching, the Legislature, by a bipartisan vote, has said that all New Yorkers are equal under the law. With this vote, marriage equality will become a reality in our state, delivering long overdue fairness and legal security to thousands of New Yorkers,’ Cuomo said in the release.

In the past, Syracuse University’s Hendricks Chapel has actively supported same-sex unions and ‘affirms the full range of diverse faiths and provides space for each of these traditions and their particular practices,’ according to the Hendrick’s website.

Hendricks and individual chaplains have agreed to preside over gay and lesbian marriages, according to the website.

The Rainbow Alliance of Central New York Rally for Marriage Equality will assemble at First Lutheran Church in Syracuse on Saturday at 3 p.m to celebrate the act’s passage, according a June 24 press release.

‘This will be a time for the LGBTQ community and our allies to come together & celebrate the historic vote today to grant marriage equality to same-sex couples,’ according to the release. ‘The civil recognition of our relationships will be another step forward for people who are LGBTQ and our state in general.’

dbtruong@syr.edu

Published on June 24, 2011 at 12:00 pm

Contact Debbie: dbtruong@syr.edu | @debbietruong