State senate stuck on gay marriage bill

ALBANY, N.Y. (WIVB) - Lawmakers in the state capital are back at it, Tuesday.

Lawmakers are still stuck on a bill that would make it legal for same sex couples to get married in New York.

There is still no word from State Senator Mark Grisanti on whether he will vote for same-sex marriage. There is no sign right now that vote will even happen Tuesday.

Hundreds of chanting protesters from each side of the highly charged debate on gay marriage could not move the issue to a vote Monday.

Gay couples like Andrew Mattle and David Vitka of Williamsville remain optimistic.

Andrew Mattl said, “In the last week and a half, I've felt there's been a new power behind it, and a new energy. I think Governor Cuomo is really stepping up to the plate and pushing for this. And we're hopeful.”

The key sticking point appears to be how much freedom to grant religious groups who protest gay marriage and refuse to perform services or provide receptions.

“This issue, however, is not about religion. It's about civil rights. It's about marriage license. It's not all about a religious ceremony,” Sharon Kleinbaum, Senior Rabbie, Congregation Beit Shimchat Tora.

“In my opinion I feel that they are trying to destroy marriage. Marriage is in enough trouble as it is. This is like the death now,” said Susan Kelly, Traditional Marriage Advocate.

Republicans have stalled the bill over concerns for religious institutions and organizations.

State Senator Greg Ballsaid, “ We're not talking about passage of civil unions, which I think would pass right away and very easily. We have a governor who is pushing to get full marriage equality and to that extent there needs to be real religious protections in any final piece of legislation.”

State Senator Mark Grisanti could be the swing vote on the bill to legalize same-sex marriage, but he has been wrestling with the issue and has not publicly said which way he may be leaning.

Mark Grisanti's Chief of Staff Doug Curella said, “He's weighing a number of different issues. One being his civil rights issue looking at this as an attorney, the other being a personal issue that he's weighing with his Catholic beliefs.”