Bill Clinton, who as president signed the anti-gay federal Defense of Marriage Act into law, urged New York state on May 5 to legalize same-sex marriage.
In a statement released by the Human Rights Campaign, Clinton said: "Our nation's permanent mission is to form a 'more perfect union' – deepening the meaning of freedom, broadening the reach of opportunity, strengthening the bonds of community. That mission has inspired and empowered us to extend rights to people previously denied them. Every time we have done that, it has strengthened our nation. Now we should do it again, in New York, with marriage equality. For more than a century, our Statue of Liberty has welcomed all kinds of people from all over the world yearning to be free. In the 21st century, I believe New York's welcome must include marriage equality."
Gay activists and Gov. Andrew Cuomo are pushing for a vote on a same-sex marriage bill in New York's Legislature before the current session ends in June.
According to HRC, polling suggests 58 percent of New Yorkers support letting same-sex couples marry.
Two days before Bill Clinton's statement, his daughter Chelsea also spoke out in support of same-sex marriage while attending a pro-gay-marriage event.
