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In New York, Jubilant Gay Community Rejoices

Crowds throng West Village, where gay rights movement was born

By Polly Davis Doig, Newser Staff

Posted Jun 25, 2011 5:58 AM CDT

(Newser) – After the showdown in Albany legalized gay marriage, euphoric crowds last night thronged the streets of New York City's West Village, where the gay rights movement was born some four decades ago. “It’s where it all began,” said one reveler outside the Stonewall Inn. The New York Times notes that the bill's passage coincides with Gay Pride weekend, and crowds assembled for a scheduled drag parade last night were buoyed by those looking to witness and celebrate history. “I really can’t really describe what this feels like, but it is one of the best feelings I have ever had in my life," said City Council speaker Christine Quinn, the city's highest-ranked openly gay official.

The Stonewall riots of June 28, 1969, helped spark the equal rights movement, and it came full circle last night, nearly 42 years later. Marriage proposals abounded, notes the AP, many between partners who had been together for decades. “It’ll be our same relationship," said a 52-year-old gay man standing with his partner. "We’re the same people as when we met, except now it’s proper in the eyes of the state, and I’ll be able to look at people and say, ‘This is my husband.' " Click through the gallery for scenes from Albany to the Big Apple.

Revelers celebrate in front of the Stonewall Inn in Manhattan's west village following the passing of the same sex marriage bill by a vote of 33 to 29, Friday, June 24, 2011, in New York. (AP Photo/Louis Lanzano)

Couple of 22 years Angelo Ragaza, left, and Bryan Webster celebrate in Manhattan's west village following the passing of the same sex marriage bill by a vote of 33 to 29, Friday, June 24, 2011. (AP Photo/Louis Lanzano)

Revelers celebrate in front of the Stonewall Inn in Manhattan's west village following the passing of the same sex marriage bill by a vote of 33 to 29, Friday, June 24, 2011. (AP Photo/Louis Lanzano)

Revelers celebrate in Manhattan's west village following the passing of the same sex marriage bill by a vote of 33 to 29, Friday, June 24, 2011, in New York. (AP Photo/Louis Lanzano)

Sen. Thomas Duane, D-Manhattan, left, and New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo talk in the Senate Chamber at the Capitol in Albany, after gay marriage was legalized on Friday, June 24, 2011. (AP Photo/Mike Groll)

Opponents of same sex-marriage pray after Senate members voted and approved same-sex marriage at the Capitol in Albany, Friday, June 24, 2011. (AP Photo/Hans Pennink)

Supporters of same sex marriage celebrate after Senate members voted and approved same-sex marriage at the Capitol in Albany, NY, Friday, June 24, 2011. (AP Photo/Hans Pennink)

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo reacts after same sex marriage was legalized after a vote in the Senate Chamber at the Capitol in Albany, on Friday, June 24, 2011. (AP Photo/Mike Groll)

Revelers celebrate in Manhattan's west village following the passing of the same sex marriage bill by a vote of 33 to 29, Friday, June 24, 2011, in New York. (AP Photo/Louis Lanzano)

Revelers celebrate in Manhattan's west village following the passing of the same-sex marriage bill by a vote of 33 to 29 by the New York Senate, Friday, June 24, 2011, in New York. (AP Photo/Louis Lanzano)

Colin Cunliffe, left, and Brewter Mccall, of Manhattan, celebrate the legalization of same-sex marriage in New York State outside the Stonewall Inn on Christopher St, Friday, June 24, 2011. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)

Rebecca Jones, of North Hampton, Mass., center, and Veronica Thoms, of Pelham, right, celebrate the legalization of same-sex marriage in New York State outside the Stonewall Inn. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)

Spectators wait for Senate members to vote on the same-sex marriage during a session of the New York state Senate at the Capitol in Albany, NY, Friday, June 24, 2011. (AP Photo/Hans Pennink)

Robert Moore of New York waves a Pride flag outside the Capitol in Albany, NY, after the state Senate passed a bill legalizing same-sex marriage, on Friday, June 24, 2011. (AP Photo/Mike Groll)

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In New York, Jubilant Gay Community Rejoices

Crowds throng West Village, where gay rights movement was born

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