I wholeheartedly thought that my left-leaning home state might be the next to legalize same-sex marriage, but Senate Majority Leader Malcolm A. Smith said a same-sex marriage bill in New York is not likely in 2009. We have plenty of people on our side - Mr. Smith, our feminist governor David Paterson, and other Democrats are staunch supporters of gay rights - but the Senate seems to stand in the way. At a fundraiser for the Human Rights Campaign, Malcolm Smith told the crowd:

"Although we do not have the number of votes at this time needed to pass the marriage equality gender bill this legislative session, we are committed to pursuing its passage. And the question is not if; the question is when. So our work still needs to happen for it to happen this year. But I'm going to need your help, and I'm going to need your prayers."

It's indeed a shame that we can't expect a gay marriage bill this year, but I think we can expect it in just a few short years. It's nice to know that we have a handful of Democrats working to pass it.