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

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