Hundreds of protesters for and against gay marriage in New York chanted, sang and sought out TV cameras Monday while the state Senate again came to no resolution on the issue in a closed-door session that barely touched on the nationally divisive topic.
New York's vote is seen as pivotal in the national question over same-sex marriage, an effort that largely stalled in the same room two years ago when the Senate voted it down. Since then, efforts have failed in New Jersey, Rhode Island and Maryland. Advocates hope a "yes" vote in the country's third most-populous state — home the largest U.S. city — jumpstarts the effort.
Same-sex couples can legally marry in Connecticut, Iowa, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont and Washington, D.C.
Two Republican senators said the gay marriage issue that has sharply focused the efforts of opponents and advocates was only briefly discussed in Monday's meeting. Instead, Senate Republican leader Dean Skelos is negotiating with Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo on religious exemptions that could be enough for Republican senators — most of whom oppose gay marriage — to send the issue to a floor where a bipartisan effort could pass it.
The state legislature's other chamber, the Assembly, has already passed the measure. The legislative session was supposed to end Monday, but the negotiations are expected to keep lawmakers in the state capital, Albany, through much of the week.
Democratic Sen. Ruben Diaz Sr., a New York City minister who has led the opposition, said he now considers the legalization of same-sex marriage inevitable at some point in New York. He said, however, he's unsure how the Senate will vote, noting Cuomo is exerting unprecedented pressure to get Republicans to approve his bill.
On Monday, groups led by clergy opposed to same-sex marriage sang hymns such as "Victory is Mine" and prayed in small circles while pro-same-sex marriage advocates countered with "God Bless America" and "This Little Light of Mine" and lined the halls and parlor outside the Senate chamber.
State troopers were called to the Senate chamber floor as the two groups started to merge and talk with each other, but there was no escalation in the jammed marble hallways that turned stifling hot from the people and TV cameras. Most were respectful of each other and kept to their own groups.
"This is not about religion, this is about civil rights," Sharon Baum of New York City said.
She was soon confronted by a woman opposed to gay marriage.
"If this passes, we will become Sodom and Gomorrah," said 80-year-old Ginny Winn, of Delmar in Albany County.
"God says 'No'!" chanted one side, as pro-gay marriage advocates, led by their clergy, intoned, "God is love!"