page_title: Same-sex marriage in New York
section_title: History
hierarchical_section_title: Same-sex marriage in New York / History
caption_attribution_description: New Paltz Mayor Hon. Jason West at gay rights rally
context_page_description: Same-sex marriage has been legally recognized in the U.S. state of New York since July 24, 2011 under the Marriage Equality Act. The Act does not have a residency restriction, as some similar laws in other states do. It allows religious organizations to decline to officiate at same-sex wedding ceremonies.
  In 2006, the New York Court of Appeals ruled that the New York State Constitution does not require same-sex marriage rights and left the question of recognition to the State Legislature. Following the 2006 court decision, the New York State Assembly passed same-sex marriage legislation in 2007, 2009, and 2011. However, the New York Senate rejected such legislation in a 38–24 vote on December 2, 2009. In June 2011, same-sex marriage legislation passed both the House and the Senate; it was signed by Governor Andrew Cuomo on June 24, 2011, and took effect on July 24, 2011.
  New York became the sixth U.S. state, and the seventh U.S. jurisdiction, to license same-sex marriages.
caption: New Paltz Mayor Jason West at a gay rally
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