NEW YORK (AP) - champagne corks popped, rainbow flags flap, and the crowd embraced and danced in the streets of Greenwich Village in Manhattan, New York and became the sixth largest state in the United States to legalize same-sex marriages.
Democratic Governor Andrew Cuomo signed the bill shortly before midnight Friday, nearly 42 years on the day, the modern movement for gay rights was born in the midst of violent clashes between police and gay activists at the Stonewall Inn.
Hundreds who gathered outside the bar erupted into a celebration reference point after the Republican-led State Senate, cast the deciding vote.
Scott Redstone and his partner of 29 years, Steven Knittweis embraced. And the question arises of Redstone. "I said, 'Will you marry me?" And he said, "Sure!"
Queens Professor Eugene Lovendusky, 26, who is gay, said he hopes to marry one day.
"I'm fascinated. I'm so tired and so proud that the Senate from New York finally got on the right side of history," he said.
Then he repeats the word pairs, he cried out in protest during a fundraiser for Barack Obama last night: "I am a person that I deserve full equality, .."
Alex Kelston, 26, who works in finance in Manhattan, said he jumped into a taxi and rushed to the bar when he heard the news.
"This is where the movement began, and it is a way to close the loop and celebrating the full equality of homosexuals in New York," he said.
Called Stonewall riots of June 28, 1969, he helped start the movement for equal rights for homosexuals. Homosexual activists had pinned their hopes for a positive vote in New York this week to help regain momentum in other states in the light of recent attempts have failed.
In the midst of the celebration Friday, New York City, Archbishop Timothy Dolan and bishops around the country has issued a statement condemning the course of law, the legislature, saying they were "deeply disappointed and concerned".
"Our company has returned to what seems to have lost - a real understanding of the role and place of marriage, as witnessed by God, is founded in nature, and respected by the American founding principles," read the opinion leaders of the Roman Catholic .
Mayor Michael Bloomberg, who drove for Bill, who was in the middle of a sentence in a news conference on the city budget, City Speaker Christine Quinn cut indicate that it had passed.
The room erupted in applause from lawmakers and other officials, as Quinn - the first gay person to hold the position - his colleagues hugged and smiled with tears in his eyes.
"It's hard to describe the feeling of having your state law changed to say you are ... a full member of the State and his family is as good as any other family," he said.
In a sense, the decision to change all his and his partner, Quinn said.
"Tomorrow, my family gathered to celebrate my niece's college graduation, and there will be a totally different now because we will have to speak at our wedding will be and how it will look like and what suits Jordan Our niece will wear as flower girl. And it's a moment I really thought would never come, "she said.
"I can not really describe it sounds, but is one of the best feelings I've had in my life," he said.
Bloomberg called the vote "a historic victory for equality and freedom."
He said he would support the Republicans who voted for the measure Friday, and he believed his actions were consistent with the republican ideals of liberty and freedom.
"Those Republicans who stood up today to these principles, I believe will long be remembered for their courage, foresight and wisdom," said the mayor, a Democrat-turned-Republican-turned independent. "Ten, 20 , 30 years from now, I think they will return to this vote as one of the most beautiful and proud of their life. "
Bloomberg, a billionaire who had lobbied in Albany for the measurement Quinn, has the personal resources to help the Republicans to resist any reaction to his own party.
Celebrities have also responded, with Lady Gaga posting on Twitter that she "can not stop crying." The pop star was asked his 11 million supporters to call the senators from New York to support the bill.
"The revolution is our duty to fight for love, justice, equality +. Rejoice in New York, and propose. We did it! "She also displayed.
Talk host Wendy Williams sent his followers on Twitter, as well, saying "? Yay for gay marriage in New York, it was time ... we have next to How are you "
Meanwhile, the official agency for tourism of the city said the bill in question was "good news" for the industry $ 31 billion represents.
"Now, several gay couples - and their families and friends - will have the opportunity to celebrate their special day here," said George Fertitta, CEO of NYC & Co.
In San Francisco, where the weekend began in March pride of the city, said the participants have just heard about what happened across the country.
"What happened today in New York is great, is great, as long as they continue to collect and move beyond this, because it is much more to be done," said 26-year-old Kate Lubeck in San Jose.
Pete Weiss of Oakland said he has a lot of good friends in New York, which plans to take advantage of the new law.
"Do you think California would have been first, but may be extended and will be next," said the 42-year-old.
Legalization of homosexual marriage comes as New York City is the celebration of Gay Pride, which culminated in a parade on Sunday.
Michael Musto, columnist for the Village Voice, an alternative weekly, said that the timing of the vote "could not be a coincidence."
"It will definitely be the gay pride parade the most dynamic in history," he said.
Samantha Gross Associated Press and Cristian Salazar contributed to this report.
