Hundreds of gay couples marry in NY

WEDDING ceremonies for hundreds of gay and lesbian couples were held across New York yesterday, with advocates hailing the day as a milestone towards the eventual legalisation of gay marriage nationwide.

Sunday marked the first day when a law allowing same-sex marriage came into effect across New York.

Niagara Falls in the city hosted the first marriage after midnight, with the famous cascades illuminated in gay pride rainbow colours as the backdrop.

“This wasn’t done with just the two of us,” Kitty Lambert, who married her long-time partner Cheryle Rudd, said. “Every single person here played a part in getting this law passed.”

New York legalised same-sex marriage on June 24 in a nail-biting vote, becoming the sixth US state, and the most populous, to legalise gay marriage.

“Today the doors of marriage equality swing open in New York. It’s no surprise a flood of same-sex couples is expected to flow through,” the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force said.

“Until you have walked in the shoes of someone who has been denied this fundamental freedom — a rite that bonds us as people — it is hard to comprehend just how profoundly moving this moment is. Today is a day to rejoice and celebrate.”

In Manhattan, Nancy Mertzel, 48, and partner Yolanda Potasinski, 55, were in line before sunrise to get married.

“We are not anymore second-class citizens in the state of New York. There’s still work to do in the rest of the country,” Mertzel said.

Opposite the registry office, a small crowd booed the happy couples, with one sign reading: “Gay Marriage: Bad Idea.”

In New York City alone 823 couples registered in advance to get their marriage licenses yesterday.