Four lawmakers who voted against gay marriage two years ago, including one Republican, declared on Monday that they would now vote in favor of allowing gays to wed.
Their public statements—deliberately timed to emerge just before the end of the legislative session—added significant momentum behind passage of same-sex marriage legislation. Shortly afterward, after huddling with gay leaders, Gov. Andrew Cuomo said he would advance a gay-marriage bill, setting the stage for a vote this week.