The New York State Senate voted 24-38 on Dec 2 against a bill that would have allowed gays and lesbians to marry in the Empire State.

The long-delayed vote came on the heels of more than two hours of passionate and even emotional debate on the Senate floor.

“Provide me with the exact same rights as you have Madam President and each and every member of the New York State Senate has,” openly gay state Sen. Tom Duane [D-Manhattan,] who initially introduced the bill, said. “It would make me equal in every way to everyone else in this chamber.”

State Sen. Diane Savino [D-Staten Island] was among those who applauded Duane as she spoke in support of marriage for gays and lesbians.

“We have nothing to fear from Tom Duane and [his partner] Louis,” she said. “We have nothing to fear from [state Assemblymember] Danny O’Donnell and his partner. We have nothing to fear from love and commitment.”

State Sen. Ruth Hassell-Thompson [D-Mount Vernon] spoke about her gay brother as she announced her support of the marriage bill. She also discussed those who continue to oppose nuptials for same-sex couples based on their religious convictions.

“Nobody elected me… to be the moral arbiter of their decisions,” Hassell-Thompson said. “They did ask me to provide leadership and the rights for all of the people I serve.”

Senate President Pro Tempore Malcolm Smith [D-St. Albans] was more blunt. “What is wrong is not knowing what the Bible says and retreating to it,” he said.

From www.edgeboston.com