Duane Says NY Gay Marriage Certain Before 2010

New York state senator Tom Duane, the openly gay sponsor of the marriage equality bill in the senate, said on Sunday that he was "certain" the bill would be passed "before the end of the year."

Advocate.com caught up with Duane as he walked with members of the New York contingent during the National Equality March in Washington, D.C.

Asked when he expected the marriage equality bill would pass, the senator said he was "optimistic by the November election, which would help us with Maine. I am optimistic about that, and certain before the end of the year."

Pressed for a more specific timetable, however, Duane gestured as if he were looking into a Magic 8 Ball, an analogy he used previously to describe the obscure and chaotic politics of the New York state senate, where Democrats hold a narrow majority. "It's Albany," said Duane. "So, you know."

The bill, which would legalize same-sex marriage in New York, passed the assembly, for the second time, in May.