However, the New York Senate rejected such legislation in a 38–24 vote on December 2, 2009. Following the 2006 court decision, the New York State Assembly passed same-sex marriage legislation in 2007, 2009, and 2011.
In 2006, the New York Court of Appeals ruled that the New York State Constitution does not require same-sex marriage rights and left the question of recognition to the State Legislature. It allows religious organizations to decline to officiate at same-sex wedding ceremonies. The Act does not have a residency restriction, as some similar laws in other states do. state of New York since Junder the Marriage Equality Act. Same-sex marriage has been legally recognized in the U.S. Foreign same-sex spouses are eligible for a "Non-Tourist Visa" as a dependent.Some cities and prefectures issue certificates for same-sex couples, but they are not legally binding.Unregistered cohabitation or Maitri Karar–type contractual relationships.Legal guardianships (nationwide, except Hong Kong and Macau), residency rights for foreign spouses of legal residents (Hong Kong).Romania ruling of the European Court of Justice obliges the state to provide residency rights for the foreign spouses of EU citizens. Registered foreign marriages confer limited rights. Neither performed nor recognized in American Samoa or some tribal nations.Neither performed nor recognized in six British Overseas Territories.Neither performed nor recognized in Niue, Tokelau, or the Cook Islands.Registered in Aruba, Curaçao and Sint Maarten in such cases, but the rights of marriage are not guaranteed. Performed in the Netherlands proper, including the Caribbean Netherlands.Performed in Mexico City and statewide in all states except for Durango, Guerrero, México (state), Tabasco and Tamaulipas.