gay rights

At 12:01am Sunday morning, Kitty Lambert and Cheryle Rudd — together for more than a decade with 12 grandchildren between them — became the first gay couple to marry in New York state. As hundreds of supporters cheered, Lambert, 54, and Rudd, 53, exchanged vows in front of Niagara Falls, which was illuminated in rainbow-colored lights to mark the occasion.

On Friday, President Obama joined Defense Secretary Leon Panetta and Adm. Mike Mullen in formally signing a document certifying that military readiness would not be hurt by allowing gays in the military. The notice will now be sent to Congress. The action officially repeals the 17-year-old “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy enacted during the Clinton Administration and begins the 60-day waiting period