New York is the most recent state to legalize same-sex marriages.
The New York Legislature passed the Marriage Equality Act on June 24, 2011. It was signed by Gov. Andrew Cuomo later that day.
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/24/nyregion/across-new-york-hundreds-of-gay-couples-to-marry-on-sunday.html?_r=1
The Marriage Equality Act allows for same-sex marriages, while at the same time allowing religious institutions the right to deny performing,solemnizing, or recognizing such marriages.
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/06/26/nyregion/religious-exemptions-were-key-to-new-york-gay-marriage-vote.html
The issue of same-sex marriage is not, of course, a new one in New York. In the last five years the pressure to pass a bill allowing same-sex marriage has been ever-increasing. First, in 2006nthe New York Court of Appeals ruled that the New York State Constitution didn't require same-sex marriage rights. Then, in 2007 and 2009 legislation similar to the Marriage Equality Act was passed by the New York State Assembly only to be rejected by the NY Senate.
http://www.courts.state.ny.us/reporter/3dseries/2006/2006_05239.htm
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/03/nyregion/03marriage.html?adxnnl=1&adxnnlx=1319729229-ki5fRdRU+bqZm00YD1QN6A
New York is the largest state in the U.S. to allow same-sex marriages.
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/06/25/nyregion/gay-marriage-approved-by-new-york-senate.html
