Gov. Andrew Cuomo has signed New York's gay marriage bill, starting what is expected to be a crush of gay weddings starting in 30 days.

People celebrate inside of Stonewall Inn after the New York Senate passed a bill legalizing gay marriage in New York June 24, 2011. [Photo/Agencies]

The Democratic governor signed the measure shortly before midnight Friday, following up on a promise to put his name on the legislation as soon as he received it rather than wait the usual 10 days to sign it for it to become law.

New York lawmakers narrowly voted to legalize same-sex marriage, handing activists a breakthrough victory in the state where the US gay rights movement was born.

New York will become the sixth state where gay couples can wed and the biggest by far.