Albany

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Waves of gay couples rushed on Saturday to make wedding plans that had been dreams for decades, as euphoria over New York's legalization of same-sex marriage promised to turn a traditional pride parade into an enormous roving engagement party.

New York's state senate approved a same-sex marriage bill late Friday, a powerful victory for the move to legalize gay marriage in one of the most populous states of the union.

Andrew Cuomo said Friday after passage of a gay marriage bill that he's never been prouder to be a New Yorker. Flanked by Assemblyman Daniel O'Donnell and Senator Tom Duane, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo said Friday after passage of a gay marriage bill that he's never been prouder to be a New Yorker. Duane and O'Donnell carried the measure in their respective chambers. Shortly after four Republicans joined all but one Democrat in the Senate to approve the measure and make New York the sixth ? and most populous ? state to legalize gay marriage, the first-term Democratic governor took to the podium in Albany to thank everyone involved in getting the bill approved. Cuomo suggested passage of marriage equality in New York would have a ripple effect throughout the nation. ?This state, when it is at its finest, is a beacon for social justice. The legacy of this state was that we were the progressive capital of the nation,? he said. ?The gay rights movement was birthed at Stonewall. And what

PITTSBURGH (Reuters) - Thousands of "furries" -- fans of animated cartoon animals -- gathered in Pittsburgh on Friday for the opening of their annual convention celebrating their off-beat interest.

NEW YORK (Reuters) - President Barack Obama on Thursday touted his efforts to advance gay rights and promised further progress, but stopped short of declaring his support for legalizing same-sex marriage.

NEW YORK (Reuters) - President Barack Obama on Thursday touted his efforts to advance gay rights and promised further progress, but stopped short of declaring his support for legalizing same-sex marriage.

ALBANY, New York (Reuters) - The New York state Senate again put off a vote on legalizing same-sex marriage on Thursday, and the Republican Senate leader said lawmakers would meet again on Friday to decide what to do.

At a gay fundraiser in Manhattan on Thursday, President Barack Obama danced around the issue of gay marriage . At a gay fundraiser in Manhattan on Thursday, President Barack Obama danced around the issue of gay marriage. The Democratic National Committee's sold-out $1,250-a-person Lesbian Gay Bisexual & Transgender Gala dinner was held at the Midtown Sheraton and hosted by actor Neil Patrick Harris. ?Ever since I entered into public life, ever since I have a memory about what my mother taught me, and my grandparents taught me, I believed that discrimination against people was wrong. I had no choice. I was born that way,? Obama told the crowd, referring to Lady Gaga's gay anthem Born This Way. ?I believe that gay couples deserve the same legal rights as every other couple in this country.? On the issue of marriage equality, Obama, who supports civil unions for gay and lesbian couples but has recently said he's ?evolving? on the issue, ignored a heckler when she asked him about marriage.

ALBANY, New York (Reuters) - The fate of the legalization of same-sex marriage in New York state rested on Thursday with a small group of Republican senators concerned about protection for religious groups and the political fallout of voting in favor.

Several sources are reporting that a GOP senator has broken a deadlock on a gay marriage bill in New York. ?S?everal outlets are reporting that a GOP senator has broken a deadlock on a gay marriage bill in New York. According to the KnickLedger.com, sources close to the GOP caucus have confirmed the thirty-second vote has been ?secured? for the passage of Governor Andrew Cuomo's plan to make New York the sixth ? and most populous ? state to legalize gay marriage. However, the third Republican to endorse the plan has not stepped forward. On Wednesday, the battle became increasingly loud as demonstrators on both sides rallied in Albany. The Senate Rules Committee approved the bill late Wednesday night, setting the stage for a final vote on the Senate floor as early as Thursday. In calling for a vote, Cuomo, who last week met privately with several undecided Republican senators, said he was ?cautiously optimistic? that the bill will pass. ?I believe the people are entitled to a vote and l

ALBANY, New York (Reuters) - The New York state Senate appeared close to a vote on legalizing same-sex marriage after legislative leaders said on Wednesday they were reviewing proposals to strengthen protections for religious groups.

ALBANY, New York (Reuters) - New York lawmakers on Wednesday gave final approval to a bid by daredevil Nik Wallenda to cross Niagara Falls on a tightrope.

NEW YORK (Reuters) - One of New York state's biggest public employee unions said on Wednesday it reached a preliminary agreement with Governor Andrew Cuomo on a pact to avoid lay-offs.

NEW YORK (Reuters) - One of New York state's biggest public employee unions said on Wednesday it reached a preliminary agreement with Governor Andrew Cuomo on a pact to avoid lay-offs.

No word yet on whether the New York Senate will vote on a gay marriage bill. The battle to legalize gay marriage in New York is getting increasingly louder as demonstrators on Wednesday rally in Albany, but the measure remains deadlocked in the Senate, CNN reported. Governor Andrew Cuomo's plan to make New York the sixth ? and most populous ? state to endorse the institution was approved by the Assembly last Wednesday. But the Senate remains evenly divided on the issue, with two Republicans joining all but one Democrat, Senator Ruben Diaz Sr. of the Bronx, in support of the measure. Several fence-sitting senators have called for greater religious protections, and Cuomo has agreed to the request. (Related: Senator Ruben Diaz trapped in his own anti-gay marriage logic.) Emerging from a closed-door meeting on Tuesday, lawmakers told reporters that agreement had been reached for New York City rent control and a state-wide property tax cap, paving the way for the chamber to concentrate on m

ALBANY, New York (Reuters) - New York state legislative leaders on Tuesday reached tentative agreements on rent control and a property tax cap, while the fate of a bill that would legalize same-sex marriage remained up in the air.

ALBANY, New York (Reuters) - Legislative leaders in New York state on Tuesday announced tentative deals to control rent for New York City apartments and cap property taxes, possibly clearing the way for a vote to legalize same sex marriage.

ALBANY, New York (Reuters) - Legislative leaders in New York state on Tuesday announced tentative deals to control rent for New York City apartments and cap property taxes, possibly clearing the way for a vote to legalize same sex marriage.

ALBANY, New York (Reuters) - Same-sex marriage is one vote away from approval in the state of New York, but the Senate's Republican majority on Monday once again delayed a vote on the controversial measure, citing concerns over exemptions for religious organizations.

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Supporters and opponents of gay marriage made 11th-hour appeals on Sunday as state lawmakers weighed a vote on making New York the sixth state -- and the most populous -- to legalize same-sex marriage.