The Marriage Equality Act was rejected by a 38-24 vote.
Among the eight Democrats who voted against gay marriage were Queens Senator Hiram Monserrate and Bronx Senator Ruben Diaz Sr.
The senators debated on the bill for almost three hours, but most who spoke were in favor of gay marriage.
"This legislation would merely provide me and tens of thousands of other New Yorkers equal rights in New York State," said Manhattan Democratic Senator Thomas Duane who is the only openly gay senator.
Democratic Senator Ruth Hassell-Thompson revealed her support for the bill by saying for the first time that her late brother was gay, and that by supporting the bill she would be giving New Yorkers civil rights that her own brother never enjoyed.
Diaz pointed out during the debate that same-sex marriage is still controversial nationwide.
"Every state of the nation, the majority of the states of the nation [where] the people got the opportunity to vote on this issue, the people have rejected it," he said.
51 percent of New York State voters support same-sex marriage, while 42 percent do not like it.
In New York City, 61 percent of voters support same-sex marriage while only 33 percent don't support it.
Questions:
1) Where did this story take place?
2) When did this story take place?
3) How many senators voted against the Marriage Equality Act?
4) How many senators voted for it?
5) Name 2 senators that voted for it.
6) What percent of NYC voters support same-sex marriage?
7) What percent of NYC voters do not support it?
Info from NY1
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