New York State Assembly passes marriage bill

In an 89 to 52 vote, the New York State Assembly passed a bill tonight that would extend marriage to same-sex couples.

The Assembly passed a similar bill in 2007, but a number of Republicans backed the proposed legislation in tonight's vote. Among those was state Assemblywoman Teresa Sayward, who spoke about her gay son.

"The word marriage symbolizes love, commitment and family and why should my son and other sons and daughters around the state of New York have the same opportunity to experience that same commitment, love and family that other heterosexual couples do," she said. "It’s time for us to not only reach in our hearts, and do what we as elected officials in America have done all along and say we will not accept anything, but equal rights."

The bill now goes to the state Senate. It remains unclear as to whether Senate Majority Leader Malcolm Smith [D-St. Albans, Queens] has enough votes in his chamber to pass it.