NY marks 1 year of gay marriage, impact unclear

NEW YORK — New York became the largest state to legalize gay marriage a year ago. Supporters hoped it would boost national momentum and pump money into the state with a flurry of weddings from Manhattan to Niagara Falls.

As the anniversary nears Tuesday, the law's effects are noticeable if hard to measure.

Thousands of same-sex couples across the state have wed, but it's unclear just how many, partly because marriage applicants aren't required to identify their gender. The wedding business is up, but some planners in New York City say it's not booming. And no state has enacted a law allowing gay marriage since New York.

One thing is clear: legalizing gay marriage in the cultural, media and business hub of New York City amped up the national spotlight on the issue.