New York, largest state to approve gay marriages

The movement to legalize gay marriages in the US scored a landmark victory when New York lawmakers passed a bill in favour of same-sex marriages.

New York will become the sixth state where gay couples can marry and the biggest by far.

"We are leaders and we join other proud states that recognize our families and the battle will now go on in other states," CBS News quoted senator Thomas Duane, a democrat, as saying.

The New York bill cleared the Republican-controlled state senate on a 33-29 vote.

The democrat-led assembly passed a different version last week, is expected to pass the new version with stronger religious exemptions and democratic government. Andrew Cuomo, who campaigned on the issue last year, has promised to sign it.

Same-sex couples can begin marrying 30 days after that.

New York, the nation's third most populous state, will join Connecticut, Lowa, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont and the Washington capital district in allowing same-sex couples to marry.