New York state legalized gay marriage four years ago. Today, state leaders reacted with enthusiasm to the Supreme Court ruling.
In honor of the court ruling guaranteeing the constitutional right to same sex marriage, Gov. Andrew Cuomo says the lights on the World Trade center tower will be lit in rainbow colors on Sunday night.
Cuomo, who arm twisted state Senators to win the same sex marriage vote in 2011, said in a statement that the court “is on the right side of history."
As part of the end of session deal, the governor now has the power to perform marriage ceremonies; he says he sought the authority because some same sex couples have asked him to officiate at their weddings.
“Some of these marriages are very meaningful to me personally,” Cuomo said. “I’d like the opportunity to officiate.”
New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio, who already has the power to marry people, announced that he would officiate at two same-sex unions at city hall Friday afternoon, in celebration of the decision.
Assemblywoman Deborah Glick, the first openly gay state legislator, said she is “elated." The only openly gay state Sen. Brad Hoylman said, “as a gay husband and father, I’m extremely proud to be an American today."
The state’s conservative party called the court’s decision “misguided” and compared it to the Dred Scott and Roe v. Wade decisions. Those court orders upheld slavery and legalized abortion.
