Gov. Paterson's impassioned bid to legalize gay marriage in New York seems doomed in the state Senate.

Paterson introduced legislation to legalize same-sex marriage, comparing it to the battle to abolish slavery in the 1800s.

"This is a civil rights issue and civil rights don't wait for the right time," Paterson said at a packed news conference that included Mayor Bloomberg, City Council Speaker Christine Quinn, elected officials and gay rights advocates.

"Rights should not be stifled by fear. Silence should not be a response to injustice. If we take no action, we will surely lose."

Paterson's plea showed little sign of swaying opponents or even coming to a vote in the Senate, where Democrats hold a slim 32-30 majority.

Senate Majority Leader Malcolm Smith (D-Queens), who supports gay marriage, said there are not enough votes for it to pass.

"As soon as we have the votes necessary for passage, we will bring it up for a vote," Smith spokesman Austin Shafran said. "Right now, there are not sufficient votes."

The Assembly has approved a gay-marriage bill and is expected to support Paterson's legislation.

The Senate's GOP leadership and several Democratic senators, including Ruben Diaz Sr. of the Bronx and George Onorato of Queens, oppose the bill.

Labels: gay marriage, New York

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