In a historic vote, the New York Senate passed marriage equality by a vote of 33-29! New York now joins a growing number of states leading the nation towards the future we have always been destined for, a future where everyone is treated equally, with dignity and respect.

• Issues marriage licenses to same-sex couples:  Massachusetts, Connecticut, California*, Iowa, Vermont, New Hampshire, District of Columbia , and now New York

• Recognizes same-sex marriages from other states:  Rhode Island, New York, Maryland

• Allows civil unions, providing state-level spousal rights to same-sex couples: Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, New Jersey (Note:  In Connecticut, Vermont and New Hampshire, same-sex marriage has replaced civil unions.)

• Statewide law provides nearly all state-level spousal rights to unmarried couples (domestic partnerships): California, Oregon,  Nevada, Washington

• Statewide law provides some state-level spousal rights to unmarried couples (domestic partnerships): Hawaii, Maine, District of Columbia, Wisconsin

• * The California Supreme Court ruled on May 15, 2008, that same-sex couples have the right to marry in California.  Proposition 8, which amended the California state constitution to define marriage as between one man and one woman, was passed on Nov. 4, 2008.  On August 4, 2010, a federal district judge ruled that the same-sex marriage ban in Proposition 8 violated the equal protection provisions of the U.S. Constitution.  Enforcement of that decision has been stayed pending appeal.  California does not currently allow same-sex marriages to be performed.  Same-sex marriages performed before Proposition 8 was passed remain valid.