BINGHAMTON, NY – Many municipalities in the State of New York have decided to open on Sunday, July 24 in order to start issuing same-sex marriage licenses. The law requiring marriage equality was signed by Governor Mario Cuomo almost immediately passing the New York legislation on June 24 and the bill stated that it would take effect 30 days after signing by the governor. However, July 24 lands on a Sunday when municipal offices are normally closed.

The move to open on Sunday, that week started in Binghamton, NY which is located a few minutes from the New York/Pennsylvania state line. Binghamton city officials wanted to open early to avoid a huge rush of applications the following day including marriage applications from a number of out-of-state couples.