New York City - In the wake of a landmark vote by the New York State Senate to legalize gay marriage on June 24, 2011, gay couples, including actor Neil Patrick Harris and his partner are making plans to walk down the aisle once the legislation goes into effect on July 24.

The legislation, called the Marriage Equality Act, passed by a vote of 33 to 29 and was signed into law by Governor Andrew Cuomo, making New York the sixth and largest state to legalize same sex marriage.

Four members of the Republican majority joined with all but one Democrat to pass the bill, which included an amendment that provides protection to religious organizations. According to the amendment, no religious entity will be required to perform marriage ceremonies, or provide their facilities for marriage ceremonies.

In the days since the bill was passed, gay pride celebrations have taken place across the United States, and have reenergized citizens in fighting for LGBT equality. Coincidently, New York City's annual LGBT parade took place two days after the bill's passage, bringing a new reason to celebrate to those who were in attendance.

"New York has finally torn down the barrier that has prevented same-sex couples from exercising the freedom to marry and from receiving the fundamental protections that so many couples and families take for granted," Governor Cuomo said in a statement released earlier this week. "With the world watching, the Legislature, by a bipartisan vote, has said that all New Yorkers are equal under the law. With this vote, marriage equality will become a reality in our state, delivering long overdue fairness and legal security to thousands of New Yorkers."

New York State Senator Ken LaValle (R – Port Jefferson), voted against the bill and has declined to comment or release a statement on the vote at this time.

In a press conference earlier today, President Barack Obama called the vote in New York "a good thing," but stopped short of declaring his support for same sex marriage.

"What you're seeing is a profound recognition on the part of the American people that gays and lesbians and transgender people are our brothers, our sisters, our children, our cousins, our friends, our co-workers, and that they have to be treated like every other American. And I think that principle will win out," he said.

Across the state of New York, clerks are preparing for an expected surge of gay couples that will seek marriage licenses after the bill goes into effect next month.