ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — Actress Cynthia Nixon is lobbying New York lawmakers to legalize same-sex marriage and says she hopes to marry her partner in New York next year if the law is enacted.

The self-described lifelong New Yorker is engaged to Christine Marinoni. Holding up her diamond engagement ring in Albany on Tuesday, she says she's going to marry next summer and hopes to do it in New York.

The 43-year-old "Sex And The City" actress has two children from her relationship with photographer Danny Mozes.

Same-sex marriage legislation backed by Gov. David Paterson has passed the Assembly. Senate Democratic Majority Leader Malcolm Smith is trying to muster enough votes to pass it. After meeting with a half-dozen lawmakers, Nixon says she's encouraged.

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