Gay Couples Rush to Exchange Vows in New York

In New York, a bruising, multi-year legislative battle ended last month when the State Senate approved same-sex marriage by a narrow margin, instantly doubling the number of Americans who live in states where gay and lesbian couple can wed. Couples from all over the state, as well as a hundred from other states, rushed to wed Sunday. Over a thousand ceremonies were celebrated in New York City alone, where temperatures were high, but the mood was even higher. After an 11-year engagement, one couple wed beside Niagara Falls, a minute past after midnight. Thomas Kaplan reports on politics for the New York Times.