Gay marriage is legal in New York

New York dramatically voted to allow same-sex marriage last night, becoming the biggest state to legalise gay marriage handing activists a breakthrough victory.

Gay couples celebrated in the streets after the 62-member, Republican-controlled state Senate approved the bill 33 to 29and New York Goveor Andrew Cuomo signed it into law.

The legislative session went into overtime as conservative lawmakers fought for changes to enhance protection for faith-based groups opposed to recognising gay marriages.

Victory: Couples celebrate after the State Senate voted to legalise same-sex marriage in new York

The decision followed weeks of contentious debate and negotiations between Goveor Cuomo and the GOP-controlled Senate.

After the bill passed in the Assembly, it was unclear if the bill had secured enough support to pass in the Senate.

After a several undecideds moved to support the bill - including Republican Roy McDonald who famously defended his decision, saying 'f**k it, I don't care what you think. I'm trying to do the right thing' the balance was tipped.

After days of crafting religious protections into the bill, and seven hours of GOP leaders' backroom talks, Skelos said the bill could come to a vote on Senate floor.

The tuing point came when Republican Senator Stephen Saland threw his support behind the measure, being the 32nd senator to do so, clinching the support needed to pass the bill.

He said: 'I have to define doing the right thing as treating all persons with equality. I certainly am at peace with my vote.'

New York, the nation's third most populated state, will join Connecticut, Iowa, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont and Washington, D.C., in allowing same-sex couples to wed.

Afterwards Goveor Cuomo made a surprise and triumphant walk around the Senate, introduced like a rock star by his lieutenant goveor, Robert Duffy. The filled upper gallery shouted down to Cuomo, 'Thank you!'

'Feels good?' Cuomo shouted up with a big smile and thumbs up. 'Thank you!'

Ovation: Senator Thomas Duane, congratulates Goveor Andrew Cuomo after gay marriage was legalised

Approved: The New York State Senate voted to approve marriage for same sex couples tonight

Sen. Thomas Duane, a Democrat, said: 'We are leaders and we join other proud states that recognize our families and the battle will now go on in other states.

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.

'Once this is signed into law, the population of the United States living under marriage equality doubles," said Ross Levi, executive director of the Empire State Pride Agenda in an interview. "That's certainly going to have a ripple effect across the nation. It's truly a historic night for love, our families, and democracy won.'

Momentum: New York passed Goveor Cuomo's gay marriage bill, after months of debate on the issue

'I am spellbound. I'm so exhausted and so proud that the New York State Senate finally stood on the right side of history,' said Queens teacher Eugene Lovendusky, 26, who is gay and said he hopes to marry someday.

He then repeated a chant he had screamed during a protest at the Obama fundraiser at the Sheraton last night: 'I am somebody. I deserve full equality.'

A number of celebrities also praised the Senate vote. Lady Gaga tweeted that she couldn't stop crying, while Pink tweeted, "congratulations!!!!!!!!! About time!'

'I have never be prouder to be a lifelong New Yorker than I am today with the passage of marriage equality,' Cyndi Lauper said in a statement.