ALBANY, NEW YORK – Supporters and opponents of marriage equality marked the passing yesterday of the first anniversary of its legalization in New York State, the last state to enact such a law (although opponents note that in the most recent state to take up the question—North Carolina—voters prohibited its establishment).

New York enacted same-sex marriage on July 24, 2011. A month earlier—following a deal brokered by state Republicans and Gov. Andrew Cuomo, to allow for protections against discrimination lawsuits for religious groups and nonprofit organizations—the bill passed the State Senate, by a vote of 33 to 29.

An analysis by New York Senate Democrats last year determined that about 66,500 same-sex weddings performed during the first three years of its enactment would generate $311 million in additional revenue and economic activity for the Empire State. One year later, precise numbers of gay couples wed statewide are unknown, as couples are not required to identify their gender on the marriage license.

According to the state Department of Health, at least 3,424 same-sex marriages have occurred outside of New York City as of earlier this month.