Anger at New York Democrats who voted against gay marriage

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Several hundred people marched in New York last night to protest against a Senate vote barring gay marriage in the state.

They rallied in Time Square and read out the names of the eight Democrats who voted against the bill, Gay City News reports.

The bill needed 32 votes to pass but gay rights advocates were dismayed that it fell eight votes short in a 24-38 decision.

The eight Democrats who voted against it were Joseph Addabbo, Shirley Huntley, William Stachowski, Darrel Aubertine, Carl Kruger, Rubén Díaz, George Onorato and Hiram Monserrate.

Voicing their anger at these eight, protesters read out their names to the sound of boos and hisses.

Addabbo and Monserrate, both from Queens, and Aubertine had all received funding from gay groups during their 2008 election campaigns.

Gay senator Thomas K Duane had told gay campaigners in 2008 that the Democrats would legalise gay marriage and pass other equality laws.

One marcher questioned whether he had been lied to.

In a statement following yesterday’s Senate vote, Duane said: “Today’s vote against marriage equality makes me very angry. Promises made were not honoured.

“The lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community and all fair-minded New Yorkers have been betrayed. I am enraged, deeply disappointed, and profoundly saddened by the vote today.”

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