N.Y. governor to introduce same-sex bill

ALBANY, N.Y., April 14 (UPI) -- New York Gov. David Paterson is preparing to announce plans to introduce state legislation legalizing same-sex marriage, sources say.

Unnamed sources close to Paterson told Tuesday's New York Times that the governor will announce his plans Thursday. He first signaled the move last week after Vermont became the fourth state to allow gay and lesbian couples to wed, and indicates Paterson's determination to press the issue with lawmakers, the newspaper said.

Vermont legislators last week overrode a veto from Gov. Jim Douglas to approve a bill legalizing same-sex marriage, which came only weeks after the Iowa Supreme Court granted same-sex couples the right to marry.

The Times reported that Paterson wants to move ahead with a similar New York initiative even if there's not enough votes in Albany to pass it, reasoning that the state should make a statement that it is committed to treating same-sex couples no differently than heterosexual couples.

Analysts told the newspaper the legislation would face tough opposition in the state Senate, where lawmakers who oppose same-sex marriage are in the majority.