New York Gay Marriage Bill Passes State Senate, Prompting Outpouring Of Reaction (PHOTOS)

PHOTOS: Politicians React To Legalization Of Gay Marriage In New York

New York lawmakers approved legislation to legalize same-sex marriage on Friday evening.

The measure passed the Republican-controlled state Senate by a margin of 33 votes to 29 votes.

The AP reports on the significance of the legislative milestone:

Gay rights advocates are hoping the vote will galvanize the movement around the country and help it regain momentum after an almost identical bill was defeated here in 2009 and similar measures failed in 2010 in New Jersey and this year in Maryland and Rhode Island.

Though New York is a relative latecomer in allowing gay marriage, it is considered an important prize for advocates, given the state's size and New York City's international stature and its role as the birthplace of the gay rights movement, which is considered to have started with the Stonewall riots in Greenwich Village in 1969.

New York is poised to become the sixth state to legalize same sex-marriage.

Below, a slideshow highlighting reaction to the bill's passage on Friday night.

U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand

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