Friends, something that has seemingly been forgotten about in this whole Senate leadership ordeal has been the issue of Gay Marriage coming to a vote in the upper chamber. Before the June 8th vote for leadership change and rules reform, Democratic leadership vowed not to let it come up for a straight up and down without knowing for certain that it would pass.  However, last night for the first time in quite some time, a bill was actually defeated on the Senate Floor.  Does this mean that Gay Marriage will receive the same opportunity next week?

Most likely not.  The Most Reverend Senator Ruben Diaz Sr. has repeatedly voiced his stern opposition against gay’s having the right to marry, which would include his Democratic confrere and bill sponsor Tom Duane.  Duane wants a vote to come to the floor.  Diaz doesn’t.  Pedro Espada is a co-sponsor of the Senate Bill.  Malcolm Smith is the one who held up the bill before the “coup.”

Most members who support Gay Marriage are Democrats from New York City, all of whom have cosponsored the legislation.  Some of the NYC area Republicans have either voiced indecision or a resounding no. The website fivethirtyeight.com has the most recent whip count.

YES (20)
7. Craig Johnson, D-Long Island (Port Washington) S.4401 sponsor
14. Malcolm Smith, D-NYC (St. Albans)
16. Toby Ann Stavisky, D-NYC (Flushing) S.4401 sponsor
17. Martin Malave Dilan, D-NYC (Bushwick) S.4401 sponsor
18. Velmanette Montgomery, D-NYC (Brooklyn) S.4401 sponsor
20. Eric Adams, D-NYC (Brooklyn) S.4401 sponsor
21. Kevin Parker, D-NYC (Brooklyn) S.4401 sponsor
23. Diane Savino, D-NYC (Staten Island) S.4401 sponsor
25. Dan Squadron, D-NYC (Brooklyn) S.4401 sponsor
26. Liz Krueger, D-NYC (New York) S.4401 sponsor
28. Jose M. Serrano, D-NYC (Spanish Harlem) S.4401 sponsor
29. Thomas Duane, D-NYC (New York) S.4401 sponsor
30. Bill Perkins, D-NYC (Harlem) S.4401 sponsor
31. Eric Schneiderman, D-NYC (Washington Heights) S.4401 sponsor
33. Pedro Espada, D-NYC (Bedford Park) S.4401 sponsor
34. Jeffrey Klein, D-NYC (Throgs Neck) S.4401 sponsor
35. Andrea Stewart-Cousins, D-Westchester (Yonkers) S.4401 sponsor
37. Suzi Oppenheimer, D-Westchester (Mamaroneck) S.4401 sponsor
46. Neil Breslin, D-Upstate (Albany) S.4401 sponsor
60. Antoine Thompson, D-Upstate (Buffalo) S.4401 sponsor
UNDECIDED, LEANING YES (1)
55. James Alesi, R-Upstate (East Rochester)
UNDECIDED OR UNKNOWN (11)
1. Kenneth LaValle, R-Long Island (Port Jefferson)
2. John J. Flanagan, R-Long Island (East Northport)
3. Brian X. Foley, D-Long Island (Blue Point)
4. Owen H. Johnson, R-Long Island (West Babylon)
8. Charles Fuschillo, R-Long Island (Merrick)
13. Hiram Monserrate, D-NYC (Jackson Heights)
15. Joseph Addabbo, Jr., D-NYC (Ozone Park)
19. John Sampson, D-NYC (Brooklyn)
27. Carl Kruger, D-NYC (Brooklyn)
36. Ruth Hassell-Thompson, D-Westchester (Williamsbridge)
40. Vincent Leibell, R-Westchester (Patterson)
UNDECIDED, LEANING NO (5)
6. Kemp Hannon, R-Long Island (Garden City)
24. Andrew Lanza, R-NYC (Staten Island)
45. Betty Little, R-Upstate (Queensbury) (conflicting reports suggest opposition and that she’s ‘within reach’)
49. David Valesky, D-Upstate (Oneida) (officially undecided; constituent e-mail hints at opposition)
57. Catharine Young, R-Upstate (Olean)
NO (25)
5. Carl Marcellino, R-Long Island (Syosset)
9. Dean Skelos, R-Long Island (Rockville Centre)
10. Shirley Huntley, D-NYC (Jamaica)
11. Frank Padavan, R-NYC (Bellerose) S.2056 sponsor
12. George Onorato, D-NYC (Astoria)
22. Martin Golden, R-NYC (Bay Ridge) S.2056 sponsor
32. Rubén Díaz, D-NYC (Soundview)
38. Thomas Morahan, R-Westchester (Clarkstown)
39. Bill Larkin, R-Westchester (New Windsor) S.2056 sponsor
41. Stephen Saland, R-Westchester (Poughkeepsie)
42. John Bonacic, R-Westchester (Mount Hope) S.2056 sponsor
43. Roy McDonald, R-Upstate (Wilton)
44. Hugh Farley, R-Upstate (Schenectady) S.2056 sponsor
47. Joseph Griffo, R-Upstate (Rome)
48. Darrel Aubertine, D-Upstate (Cape Vincent)
50. John DeFrancisco, R-Upstate (Syracuse) S.2056 sponsor
51. James Seward, R-Upstate (Milford) S.2056 sponsor
52. Thomas W. Libous, R-Upstate (Binghamton) S.2056 sponsor
53. George H. Winner, Jr., R-Upstate (Elmira)
54. Michael Nozzolio, R-Upstate (Fayette) S.2056 sponsor
56. Joseph Robach, R-Upstate (Greece)
58. William Stachowski, D-Upstate (Hamburg)
59. Dale Volker, R-Upstate (Depew) S.2056 sponsor
61. Michael Ranzenhofer, R-Upstate (Clarence)
62. George Maziarz, R-Upstate (Newfane) S.2056 sponsor