Council Speaker's Anger Over Gay Marriage Vote

MYFOXNY.COM - New York City Council Speaker Christine Quinn got angry and tearful at a news conference Thursday when asked about the failure of the gay marriage bill in the state Senate. She took exception to questions that she could have done more to stop lawmakers from voting down the legislation.

"There are 60-plus people in that room, and they're the ones with a job to do," she said, referring to the senators. "They are the ones who failed, not anyone else."

Quinn is openly gay and says she looks forward to the day when she can marry her partner, but she is worried that their fathers, who are in their 80s, might not get a chance to see them dance at their wedding.

The vote in the Senate was not close, 38-24, and opponents say that is because gay marriage simply does not have widespread support.

The gay marriage bill will not likely be brought up again next year, though political pressure will be brought from both sides.

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On Wednesday, Speaker Quinn issued this statement after the vote:

"Today the New York State Senate rejected an opportunity to declare that all citizens in New York are equal. The depth of sadness that I and many New Yorkers feel today is difficult to express. This is a loss for every family in New York. This is a loss for every Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender New Yorker.

"I want to thank Senator Tom Duane, Senator Sampson and the rest of the Senate leadership for bringing this issue to a vote on the Senate floor. I applaud them for their dogged leadership on this issue.

"I also applaud every Senator who voted in favor of this civil rights bill. Each of them stood up today and declared that all people should be equal and nobody should be treated differently. I thank all the Senators who spoke so movingly on the Senate floor. I want to deeply thank the advocates who have worked so long and so hard on this issue.

"Today is not, however, by any means, the end of the fight for same-sex marriage in New York State. We will continue to work and fight for equal rights, and if anything our efforts will only be made all the stronger by today's vote.

"My partner and I are not able to legally marry in New York State. My same-sex neighbors and constituents are not able to legally marry in New York State. But we will continue to work, to fight and to educate. We will continue to support those amazing advocates who spend every day fighting for LGBT New Yorkers equal rights. We will not accept defeat and we will not stop fighting until all New Yorkers are treated equally. I sincerely believe that some day LGBT New Yorkers will be able to legally marry."