The New York State Senate voted 33-29 late on Friday, June 24, to approve a bill that would allow same-sex couples to marry.

"Marriage
says we are a family," said gay state Sen. Tom Duane [D-Manhattan],
referring to his partner Louis during an emotional speech on the Senate
floor. "Louis and I are family and marriage strengthens all families.
It’s going to strengthen my family and all New York families."

State
Sen. Mark Grisanti [R-Buffalo] cited his Roman Catholic upbringing
while speaking on the Senate floor. At the end, however, he said he
could not deny someone the same rights he and his wife enjoy through
marriage. "I cannot come up with an argument against same-sex marriage."

State
Sen. Ruben Diaz [D-Bronx] spoke out against the measure before the
vote--and he challenged Lt. Gov. Robert Duffy when he tried to stop him
from prolonging the debate.

"I proudly vote no," proclaimed Diaz.

The
highly anticipated vote came days after the legislative session had
been scheduled to end on June 20. LGBT rights organizations view
marriage equality in New York as a watershed moment in the movement for
nuptials for same-sex couples.

"New York is the largest state in
the country to end marriage discrimination," said Evan Wolfson, founder
of Freedom to Marry. "With this victory in New York, we have doubled the
number of Americans who live in states with the freedom to marry.
Together, we are changing hearts and minds and building the kind of
successful campaign it will take to win marriage nationwide."

Ross
Levi, executive director of the Empire State Pride Agenda, was inside
the Senate chamber when the vote took place. "Love and fairness wins the
day for all New Yorkers and our families," he said. "Today is a
historic day and a victory for equality and justice - it is the
culmination of many years of work by the Pride Agenda and others across
the state. We are thrilled that finally all loving, committed New
Yorkers will be able to make the commitment of marriage here in the
Empire State."

New York City Council Speaker Christine Quinn echoed Levi.

"When
I was a little girl I dreamed I would one day get married, I never
imagined that it would take tonight’s Senate action to make that dream
come true. Tonight’s historic Senate vote is a great moment for all New
Yorkers," she said. "New York State’s recognition of marriage equality
for same sex couples is an extraordinary step towards full equality for
LGBT people. Tonight’s sweet victory in Albany will be felt all across
America. At long last, the change we have fought for will be seen in the
lives of families throughout our great state, including my own."

New
York City Councilmember Jimmy Van Bramer [D-Queens] and his partner,
Dan Hendrick, issued a statement of their own. "Today, at last, our
state government has caught up with the truth that our families,
colleagues and neighbors have long known: GLBT citizens deserve the same
rights, recognition and respect as every other New Yorker," they said.

"History
was made today in New York," added Joe Solmonese, president of the
Human Rights Campaign. "This victory sends a message that marriage
equality across the country will be a reality very soon."

The law will take effect in 30 days after Gov. Andrew Cuomo signs it.