The Log Cabin Republicans, the organization for gay GOPers, announced today it would join the coalition of gay-rights groups that have joined forces in the effort to legalize same-sex marriage this year in New York.

“Marriage is not a progressive or conservative issue. It’s an issue of equal rights for taxpaying citizens of this state,” said Gregory T. Angelo, Chairman of the Log Cabin Republicans of New York State. “For the first time, we are truly united in our fight to ensure every single New Yorker has the right to marry the person he or she loves.”

New Yorkers United For Marriage now includes The Empire State Pride Agenda, Freedom to Marry, The Human Rights Campaign and Marriage Equality New York.

“We are thrilled to have Log Cabin Republicans join the coalition,” said Brian Ellner of the Human Rights Campaign in a statement. “It was a bipartisan coalition that repealed “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell,” and it will be a bipartisan coalition that will win marriage here in New York.”

A bill that would legalize gay marriage failed in the Senate in 2009 38-24 despite Democratic control of the chamber. A bill would need several Republican lawmakers to sign onto the measure. The coalition has already identified Sens. Jim Alesi of Monroe County, Greg Ball of the Hudson Valley and Roy McDonald as possible yes votes.

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