Former President Bill Clinton favors New York allowing gay couples to marry, according to a press release issued by the Human Rights Campaign earlier today.

The HRC says that Clinton made the statement last week.

"Our nation's permanent mission is to form a 'more perfect union' - deepening the meaning of freedom, broadening the reach of opportunity, strengthening the bonds of community. That mission has inspired and empowered us to extend rights to people previously denied them. Every time we have done that, it has strengthened our nation. Now we should do it again, in New York, with marriage equality. 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's statement says.

New York, where public support for gay marriage is well over fifty percent, is a major priority for equality advocates, according to HRC.

"There is enormous momentum right now all across the state for marriage equality," said Joe Solmonese, HRC President. "We are grateful to President Clinton for adding his voice to the mainstream majority who support loving couples getting married in New York."

The HRC is also calling on the New York state legislature to vote on the issue before the current session ends in June.

Governor Andrew Cuomo has promised to sign marriage equality into law should it reach his desk.

Clinton signed into law both the Defense of Marriage Act and "Don't Ask, Don't Tell." In recent years, the former president has tried to make amends, saying publicly that both laws should be repealed.

Top photo: Former President Bill Clinton (courtesy Clinton Foundation)