New York City

Here's a complete list (so far) of U.S. mayors who support Freedom to Marry. The statement the group signed includes: "As mayors of great American cities, we proudly stand together in support of the freedom of same-sex couples to marry. We personally know many gay and lesbian people living in our cities who are in committed, loving relationships, who are active participants in the civic life of our communities, and who deserve to be able to marry the person with whom they share their life..."

There's been a sharp increase of marriage licenses issued in NYC over the past six months. Actually 14% more than last year during this time period. Almost all of them are believed to have been granted to same-sex couples. “We're overwhelmed,” Michael McSweeney, NYC city clerk, said. “It's been much busier for us than this time last year, but we're delighted to see the extra business because we understand the impact. We're handling it. We're thrilled.” New York legalized marriage equality in June and the law took effect in July.

In NYC, nearly 4,000 young people are homeless every night - many of them gay. On the Christopher Street pier in Greenwich Village, where dozens of gay and transgender youths hang out, Safe Horizon's Streetwork Project hand out snacks, condoms and information. The organization sends out several nightly teams to find homeless youths. Not all are thrown out of their houses, but many are.

The True Colors Residence for homeless GLBT youth opens in Harlem on September 1. The idea behind the 30-bed facility was conceived by Cyndi Lauper, her manager and a non-profit that provides housing and support for homeless families and seniors. It will be the first permanent housing facility in New York for homeless GLBT youth. "In New York City, a very disproportionate number (up to 40 percent) of homeless youth identify as L.G.B.T.," Lauper said in a letter urging donors to support the project.

Former NYC Mayor Rudy Giuliani believes the Republican Party should stop fighting marriage equality and focus on fiscal policy. "We'd be a much more successful political party if we stuck to our economic, conservative roots," Giuliani said on CNN's "State of the Union." He's considering a run for the GOP presidential ticket in 2012, and has long supported civil unions. Although he said he believes marriage should be limited to a man and a woman, he can "live with" the legalization in New York. He served as Mayor of New York City from 1994 to 2001.

Mayor Michael Bloomberg has offered to officiate the wedding of NYC's commissioner for consumer affairs and his longtime partner on the lawn of Gracie Mansion. “If you’d like me to do it, I’d really love to,” Mr. Bloomberg asked. Mayor Bloomberg, who held fund-raisers and lobbied lawmakers to legalize marriage equality, is now showing his official advocacy with a personal gesture: presiding at a wedding between the two men on New York's first possible day (July 24) under a tent packed with city officials and food from around New York State. Pictured: Mayor Michael R.

NYC City Council Speaker Christine Quinn [pictured] helped pass legislation which requires the City Clerk to inform couples registering for domestic partnerships about other states and countries where they can get married. Same sex marriages performed elsewhere are recognized as valid marriages by the state of New York.