New York Gov. David Paterson‘s popularity in the state continues to tank, but his effort to legalize same-sex marriage has the support of a majority of voters, according to a poll released Monday.

The Siena College Research Institute poll found the Democrat is now viewed unfavorably by 63 percent of New Yorkers, down from 58 percent last month.

His job performance rating stood at 81 percent negative after a series of missteps eroded the strong public support he enjoyed when he was thrust into office 13 months ago as the state’s first black and legally blind governor.

Earlier polls have shown several issues hurt Paterson, including his secretive budget process that raised taxes but cut spending less than he promised, and how he handled filling Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton‘s vacated Senate seat, a botched process that ended in unfounded leaks of accusations against one-time candidate Caroline Kennedy.  See Poll: Gay marriage gains support, but not NY gov. Newsday

In announcing the arrests of four people on charges of vandalism at a Bay Shore gay and lesbian youth center, police said yesterday it was an act of revenge and not a hate crime.

“We were calling it a hate crime investigation because of public perception,” said Det. Sgt. Robert Reecks, commanding officer of the Suffolk police hate crimes unit, which pursued the case because of the center’s mission. See Cops arrest 4 in gay youth center vandalism
Newsday, NY 

In announcing the arrests of four people on charges of vandalism at a Bay Shore gay and lesbian youth center, police said yesterday it was an act of revenge and not a hate crime.

“We were calling it a hate crime investigation because of public perception,” said Det. Sgt. Robert Reecks, commanding officer of the Suffolk police hate crimes unit, which pursued the case because of the center’s mission. See Cops arrest 4 in gay youth center vandalism
Newsday, NY 

ALBANY, N.Y. – New York Senate Majority Leader Malcolm Smith said Saturday that his Democratic conference lacks enough votes to legalize gay marriage this year, but he’s committed to passing a gay marriage bill soon.

Smith said in remarks prepared for a Human Rights Campaign event in Manhattan that he strongly supports equal marital rights for gay couples.

“Although we don’t have the number of votes at this time needed to pass the marriage equality and gender bill this legislative session, we are committed to pursuing its passage when we have the votes,” said Smith, of Queens.

But his confirmation that he lacks enough votes is likely a disappointment for gay rights advocates, who had hoped gay marriage would pass after Democrats took control of the Senate in the November elections.  See Smith says NY Senate lacks gay marriage votes
Newsday, NY

Gov. David A. Paterson has condemned the vandalism at a Bay Shore gay and lesbian center and said the state human rights commissioner would hold a public forum at the center this week.

In a statement Tuesday, Paterson called the vandalism “despicable.” State human rights commissioner Galen Kirkland will hold the forum at the center tomorrow at 3 p.m. 

It’s his second visit to Suffolk in three months. He held community discussions after Ecuadorean immigrant Marcelo Lucero was stabbed to death in Patch- ogue in November. Investigators say he was targeted by teens hunting for Hispanics to harass.

Donors have replaced the smashed windows and slashed tires on the van used by theLong Island Gay and Lesbian Youth Center in Bay Shore, which was attacked by vandals on Monday.  See Paterson condemns vandalism at Bay Shore gay center
Newsday, NY

ALBANY, N.Y. – Senate Democratic leader Malcolm Smith said Wednesday any deal with three dissidents to secure his party’s hold on the chamber majority is officially off.

Smith said he has the support of the Democratic Caucus and has ceased negotiations with the three, Sen. Ruben Diaz Sr. and Sen.-elect Pedro Espada Jr., both of the Bronx, and Sen. Carl Kruger of Brooklyn. Their support would give the party a 32-30 majority beginning Jan. 1 after decades of Republican control.

“We’re prepared to wait if we have to to come into the majority,” Smith said. He was flanked by senators Neil Breslin of Albany and Liz Krueger of Manhattan when he made the announcement.

Smith said the three renegades were motivated by “personal interests.” He also said he wouldn’t subject civil rights issues to negotiation, referring to a proposal backed by many Democrats to legalize gay marriage. See Smith: Deal off with dissident NY Senate Democrats
Newsday – Long Island,NY,USA

 Police are investigating an attack on two Ecuadorean brothers in Brooklyn who may have been targeted because they were thought to be gay.

Authorities said one of the attackers made anti-gay remarks before smashing one brother over the head with a bottle. See
Cops: Brooklyn attacker used anti-gay slurs
Newsday, NY