ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) -- New York's highest court hears arguments today on behalf of 45 same-sex couples who were denied marriage licenses across the state.
The session before the Court of Appeals is the last step before the court makes the ultimate judicial decision on the legality of gay marriage in New York.
Supporters of gay marriage came out in Buffalo Tuesday night for a candlelight vigil at the Unitarian Universalist Church. It was 1 of 6 rallies held across New York State Tuedsay night.
In February, a midlevel appeals court in Albany upheld the state's marriage law as constitutional. That handed a defeat to gay
couples who argued that state health regulations limiting marriage to a man and a woman violate the equal protection, privacy and due-process provisions of the state Constitution.
Opponents of same-sex marriage note that the majority of Americans agree with their opinion that marriage should only be between a man and woman.
Gay marriage remains a divisive issue. A March poll by the Pew Research Center found 51 percent of Americans oppose it.
Still, gay rights groups said they expect to prevail before the Court of Appeals.
