Updated 05/14/2009 05:54 AM
Assembly says yes, Senate vote up in air on gay marriage
NEW YORK STATE -- "It's important to be able to change your vote. When you get more information you understand something better,” said Assemblywoman Sandra Galef.
Galef is one of five members that changed their votes from no to yes this year. She says she was in support of civil unions, but now believes everyone should have the same rights she and her own children have.
"They really haven't brought equity to partnerships and my goal from the very beginning was to have equity,” said Galef.
North Country Republican Janet Duprey also opposed gay marriage, favoring civil unions instead, but says her constituents convinced her otherwise.
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"They're not asking or religious ceremonies, they're not asking to affect anybody's religion. It's certainly not going to affect my marriage of almost 42 years. They just want to have equality,” said Duprey.
There were also seven assembly members that did not vote, several of which voted no in 2007. Bill sponsor Danny O'Donnell says they're on the fence now, but won't be next time around, if there is a next time around.
"Since the vote took place, four or five republicans have already come to me to tell me that next time they'll vote yes. So there's movement on this issue. I can feel it and I'm very pleased with that movement,” said O'Donnell.
Gay marriage advocates are hoping the momentum continues in the Senate, despite reports Tuesday that there are as many as seven democrats who will vote the bill down and not enough republicans in favor to make up the difference.
"We're going to get the vast majority of democratic votes and we'll have several republican votes as well,” said Senator Tom Duane.
Duane, the senate sponsor of the bill, says he's convinced as soon as republican senators in favor of gay marriage announce it openly, more will follow.
"I'm confident that will happen and I'm confident that will break the republican log jam and more republican senators will step up and say they're going to support gay marriage as well,” said Duane.
Senator Duane says he expects the Governor will help him lobby other lawmakers to vote for the same sex marriage bill, and believes it will pass this before the end of this session.