Stars Celebrate As New York Legalizes Gay Marriage

Lady Gaga Celebrating New York Gay Marriage Bill

Stars including Neil Patrick Harris, Lady Gaga and Lindsay Lohan are celebrating after New York became the sixth U.S. state to legally recognise gay marriage.

Governor Andrew Cuomo made history on Friday after signing a bill to legalise gay unions in New York, and within minutes of the news breaking, a host of celebrities were taking to Twitter.com to share their delight.

Openly gay actor Harris wrote, "It Passed! Marriage equality in NY!! Yes!! Progress!! Thank you everyone who worked so hard on this!! A historic night!"

Gaga, a New York native and gay rights activist, posted a picture of herself and pals with their arms raised in celebration, adding: "I can't stop crying. We did it kids... The revolution is ours to fight for love, justice+equality. Rejoice NY, and propose. We did it!!!"

Lohan 'tweeted': "Proud to be from NY!" while Cyndi Lauper echoed the sentiment in a statement reading: "I have never been prouder to be a lifelong New Yorker than I am today with the passage of marriage equality."

Lesbian comedienne Ellen DeGeneres told her Twitter followers, "I'm thrilled about the news from NY. Marriage equality! Every day we get a little closer. What an amazing feeling," while gay singer Ricky Martin writes, "Time to celebrate!!! Marriage Equality for NYers! It's about... love!"

Singer Pink added, "Congratulations!!!!!!!!! About time!" and John Legend writes, "Happy that New York passed marriage equality tonight. A victory for human rights. Progress."

New York joins Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Connecticut, Iowa, Vermont and Washington, D.C., where same-sex marriages are allowed. Gay weddings are expected to start in New York within 30 days.