Reactions to N.Y. Vote Felt Around the World

Across the country and around the globe, the news of New York's legalization of gay marriage dominated the wires. The impact of the Empire State's vote was felt in newspapers like the U.K. Telegraph, which predicted that the news "will be the cause of huge celebrations in America at this weekend's annual gay pride festivities in New York," as well as the Belfast Telegraph, which labeled it "a breakthrough victory in the state where the American gay rights movement was born."

In Paris, where the city's gay pride festivities drew many French notables, presidential hopeful Eva Joly said, "This is wonderful news from New York. Within the first 100 days of the new government, we will adopt that law [guaranteeing marriage equality]."

In nearby Germany, Berlin's gay mayor, Klaus Wowereit, responded by calling for international acceptance of LGBT rights and other progressive advances. "The support of many people from all walks of life sends a strong sign against discrimination," he said as thousands filled the streets for the city's 33rd annual Christopher Street Day festival.

Meanwhile Down Under, Australian Marriage Equality national convener Alex Greenwich praised the Empire State for holding out for full marriage rights and said the news gave Australian advocates renewed hope that change is possible. "The fact New York legislators rejected half measures like civil unions as a substitute for marriage equality sends a clear message to Australian legislators to do the same," he said.

In the U.S., California's lieutenant governor, Gavin Newsom (pictured), continued to voice his support of gay rights by tweeting, "Thank you to NY State Legislature & Governor Cuomo for recognizing that marriage is more than a word: it's about dignity & equality."

And while some gay advocacy groups have been disappointed by President Barack Obama's lack of action on a federal level, the White House issued a statement to TheHuffington Post saying, "The President has long believed that gay and lesbian couples deserve the same rights and legal protections as straight couples. That's why he has called for repeal of the so-called 'Defense of Marriage Act' and determined that his Administration would no longer defend the constitutionality of DOMA in the courts. The states should determine for themselves how best to uphold the rights of their own citizens. The process in New York worked just as it should."