Washington - Initial election returns from New York indicate momentum for moving the ball forward on marriage equality, said the Human Rights Campaign - the nation's largest lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender civil rights organization that committed significant resources to elect pro-equality state senate candidates. While control of the state senate is still in question, leaders of the Republican caucus have already stated a desire to have marriage equality voted on in the coming legislative session.

"Voters clearly responded to candidates who ran on a pro-equality platform with at least three seats switching from marriage equality opponents to supporters," said Human Rights Campaign President Joe Solmonese. "The victories of Governor-Elect Cuomo and these new fair-minded State Senators are great news for New Yorkers who value equality."

Newly elected state senators who support marriage equality - and received significant support from HRC's Campaign for New York Marriage - include Tony Avella, David Carlucci and Tim Kennedy.

"As the dust settles on the election, the focus will move from the ballot box to the state capitol where HRC along with our allies in New York will push to see a marriage bill passed out of both chambers," added Solmonese. "We look forward to working with strong marriage equality supporter Governor-Elect Cuomo to end discrimination against same-sex couples in New York once and for all."

HRC's commitment to New York elections this year included: