The New York State Assembly approved a bill late Tuesday by a 89 to 52 margin to extend the legal definition of marriage to include same-sex couples.
The bill was introduced last month by Governor David Paterson.
The measure, like a similar version in 2007, passed easily in the Democrat-ruled Assembly; however, the earlier measure failed to garner support in the state Senate. Senate Democrats now constitute a slim majority, but the fate of the current bill is uncertain.
If the bill is passed, New York would become the sixth state to legalize same-sex "marriage."
Maine became the latest state to change the legal definition of marriage last week, as Gov. John Baldacci signed the legislation within an hour after its approval in the state legislature. New Hampshire’s same-sex "marriage" bill, passed late last month in both chambers, still awaits approval by Gov. John Lynch.
See related LifeSiteNews.com coverage:
Maine Legalizes Homosexual "Marriage"
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2009/may/09050605.html
NY Governor to Introduce Homosexual "Marriage" Bill
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2009/apr/09041508.html
New York Governor Memo Says State Agencies Must Recognize Gay "Marriage" Performed Outside the State
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2008/may/08052909.html
