Passing the same-sex marriage law capped perhaps the most successful legislative session for a governor in Albany history. Depending on the demand, the City Clerk’s Office is prepared to extend its hours and hire additional judges to perform the ceremonies.
Same-sex couples can begin pre-applying for a marriage license on July 5, and the marriages will begin on July 25. “People were crying and screaming, ‘Thank you!’ just screaming the governor’s name,” said City Council Speaker Christine Quinn, who now plans to wed her longtime female partner. Officials pegged attendance at 500,000 people, while others said it hit an incredible 1 million mark. MICHAEL BENJAMIN: WAS CUOMO AMBITIOUS ENOUGH? DICKER: CUOMO’S PREZ-RUMOR WARNING TO STAFF: DON’T ‘RUN’ OFF AT THE MOUTH “People were so excited, people were so proud, literally.”įREDRIC U. “I’ve been to this parade many times, and there’s always a lot of energy and I’ve always had a ball, but this was special,” Cuomo said.
Still others waved signs reading, “Thank You Governor Cuomo” and “Promise Kept.” “If New York can do it, it’s OK for every other place.”Įcstatic revelers were moved to tears upon seeing Cuomo march down Fifth Avenue, and other couples screamed out, asking if he’d officiate their nuptials once the law takes effect July 25. “I believe New York has sent a message to this nation loud and clear: It is time for marriage equality all across this country,” Cuomo proclaimed to wild cheers. Cuomo - who predicted the rest of the nation would soon follow New York’s historic lead in legalizing same-sex marriages. More than a half-million people packed Fifth Avenue yesterday, turning the annual gay pride parade into a gigantic victory celebration and giving a rock-star reception to Gov.