WASHINGTON - NBA legend Steve Nash has partnered with the Human Rights Campaign in a new video for the group's New Yorkers for Marriage Equality campaign. In the video, Nash talks about the growing number of professional athletes who are speaking out in support of marriage equality, saying, "I'm proud to be one of them." The video can be viewed at www.hrc.org/NY4marriage.

"One of the most respected players in the game, Steve Nash is a leader on and off the court," said HRC Senior New York Strategist Brian Ellner. "We are very fortunate he has lent his voice to our campaign in New York. He realizes, like most New Yorkers, it's time for committed gay and lesbian couples to marry."

The NBA released a statement to ESPN's Jane McManus in response to Nash's video. "Our players know they are in a unique position to impact the conversations that occur around important social issues," wrote spokesperson Mike Bass. "We encourage and in many cases help facilitate ways for our players to express their views, follow their passions, and be engaged."

Steve Nash lives in Manhattan when he's not in Phoenix playing for the Suns. In 2006, Time named him one of the 100 most influential people in the world.

New York Rangers forward Sean Avery was featured in HRC's New Yorkers for Marriage Equality campaign last week. His marriage equality endorsement received praise from other NHL players, agents, and fans.

A recent poll by New York-based Siena Research Institute shows a strong majority (58 percent) of New Yorkers support marriage equality. This support runs deep, including all age groups and demographics, including a virtual tie among Republicans and a significant plurality of Independent voters.

The New Yorkers for Marriage Equality campaign is centered on video testimonials from New Yorkers who support the right of same-sex couples to marry. To date, HRC has released videos from Miss New York, Anna Wintour, Larry King, Sean Avery, Julianna Margulies, Bill T. Jones, Sam Waterston, Christopher Meloni, Mario Batali, David Chang, Tom Colicchio, Lucy Liu, Bill Bratton and Rikki Klieman, Senators Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand, Mayor Michael Bloomberg, Former New York City Mayors Ed Koch and David Dinkins, Russell Simmons, Mark and Sunrise Ruffalo, John Slattery, Joan Rivers, Barbara Bush, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Whoopi Goldberg, Daphne Rubin-Vega, Kyra Sedgwick and Kevin Bacon, Fran Drescher, Moby, Jeanne Moutoussamy-Ashe, Julianne Moore and Kenneth Cole - with more to follow in the coming weeks.

The Human Rights Campaign is America's largest civil rights organization working to achieve lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender equality. By inspiring and engaging all Americans, HRC strives to end discrimination against LGBT citizens and realize a nation that achieves fundamental fairness and equality for all.