NEW YORK: Five State Senators MAY Be Changing Their Minds On Marriage

Gay City News reports that five New York state senators who voted against same-sex marriage in 2009 are now "taking no public position" on the issue. Obviously, this could possibly bode well for the upcoming vote promised by Gov. Cuomo. At least six changed votes would be needed for the bill to pass.

According to statements on the record (to Gay City News and/ or other media), two Democrats who previously voted no –– Joe Addabbo and Shirley Huntley of Queens –– and three Republicans in the same category –– James Alesi of Fairport, Greg Ball of Brewster, and Joseph Griffo of Utica –– are currently taking no public position on the marriage bill. Griffo’s undeclared status first became known in an April 26 email message to Gay City News from his office. Rayan Aguam, the senator’s director of communications & community relations, wrote, “Senator Griffo won't comment until it's clear which bill will come before the Senate for a vote. He wants to see all the details of the legislative proposal laid out before him before he makes his decision. It wouldn't surprise anyone if Senator Duane's current bill is amended or if another bill is substituted.” The position of freshman Republican Jack Martins of Garden City is not fully clear from the public record, and he did not respond to Gay City News’ request for comment.

The most surprising name on the above list is Democrat Shirley Huntley, whom you may recall famously declaring in 2009 that she would never vote for gay marriage, "not even if you gave me a million tax-free dollars!" In her 2010 reelection campaign, Huntley claimed that she'd been the subject of death threats by gay activists. Last month the state Attorney General's office investigated Huntley for allegedly running a taxpayer-funded charity scam. That case is still ongoing.