Westhampton Baker: Senate Legalizing Gay Marriage a Game-Changer

The owner and workers at the Beach Bakery in Westhampton Beach celebrated Friday night after the New York State Senate legalized same-sex marriage in a last-minute vote.

That's because owner Simon "The Baker" Jorna is gay.

"We are so happy about this," he said, reached by phone. "So very happy that finally it's allowed. Straight people they can marry, illegal aliens can marry, but gay [men] have to marry with straight women to get papers."

Michael Greene, an employee of the bakery and Westhampton Beach resident who is also gay, said, "I feel fantastic. I'm at work but I wish I could call my family. To be in a state that has finally legalized our lifestyle, it's really amazing."

The Senate passed the bill 33-29 in a late-night vote that took nearly a week to materialize. Westhampton area representative Sen. Kenneth LaValle, R-Port Jefferson, voted against the bill, which will go into effect 30 days after Gov. Andrew Cuomo signs it into law.

But Greene said he isn't going to run out and get married tomorrow, because he's single.

"It's a whole different ball game," he said. "It's great, what I've always wanted."