New York state assembly passes gay marriage bill

Albany (New York): New York's Democrat-led Assembly has passed a bill to legalise gay marriage and a critical vote by the state Senate could take place this week if that chamber's Republican majority brings the measure to the floor.

Assemblyman Charles Lavine said on Wednesday that he believes his chamber's approval of gay marriage means that somewhere America's founding fathers "have smiles on their faces."

But Assemblyman Dov Hikind said gay marriage is wrong in the eyes of God.

Gay marriage is legal in Connecticut, Iowa, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont and Washington, DC. Democratic Governor Andrew Cuomo has shepherded the bill in New York.