Same-sex marriage's status in NY State

Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo made a campaign promise to sign legislation legalizing same-sex marriage - and he has renewed the pledge since taking office as governor this year.

Several times over the years, the State Assembly has passed legislation to make same-sex marriage legal in New York - but the measure has never passed in the State Senate, which has long been controlled by a Republican majority.

But in December 2009, despite the Democratic majority at the time, a piece of legislation that would have guaranteed the right failed in the Senate.

Cuomo's predecessor, David A. Paterson, had also unsuccessfully tried to get same-sex marriage legalized.

Advocates for the measure see the Obama administration's refusal to defend the Defense of Marriage Act as the clearing of a major hurdle that will make way for the passage of same-sex marriage laws in many states.