After heated debate, New York lawmakers voted to legalize same-sex marriage yesterday on June 25, 2011. For more information, see http://nyti.ms/jVIl2L.
As of today, a total of 10 countries and 6 U.S. states allow same-sex marriage:
Countries: Argentina, Belgium, Canada, Iceland, The Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, South Africa, Spain and Sweden.
U.S. States: Connecticut, Iowa, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont, New York
The pass of law by the New York State marks an important victory for the gay rights movement, which many activists consider was born some 50 years ago in the same state.