Bill Clinton endorses gay marriage in New York

Former president Bill Clinton says he's in favor of legalizing gay marriage in New York, adding some political weight to a high-profile effort to get state lawmakers to pass a bill this year.

The ex-president, who now has an office in Harlem, said in a statement issued through Human Rights Campaign, a gay rights advocacy group, that same-sex marriage would help the nation become a "more perfect union."

"For more than a century, our Statue of Liberty has welcomed all kinds of people from all over the world yearning to be free. In the 21st century, I believe New York's welcome must include marriage equality," Clinton said.

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo has said he wants to get legislation legalizing same-sex marriage on his desk this year. After garnering strong support in the state Assembly in 2009, a legislative effort fell eight votes short in the state Senate.

This year, there is a high-profile campaign to legalize same-sex marriage in New York. Videos featuring celebrities such as Julianne Moore and politicians such as New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg have been released by New Yorkers for Marriage Equality, an effort led by the Human Rights Campaign.

Clinton's daughter, Chelsea, is also showing her support. She's expected to take part in a kick-off today for the first week of phone banks for the campaign.

Massachusetts, Connecticut, Iowa, Vermont, New Hampshire and the District of Columbia have passed laws granting marriage licenses to same-sex couples.

As president in 1996, Clinton signed into law the Defense of Marriage Act, which bans federal recognition of gay marriage. He has said he didn't like signing the measure into law, explaining that at the time he was dealing with a GOP-led Congress and trying to ward off the prospects of a constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage.

Earlier this year, the Obama administration announced it would no longer defend the constitutionality of the Defense of Marriage Act. But House Speaker John Boehner and Republicans in Congress are fighting that effort in court.