Antigay NY Senator to Step Down

New York state senator George Onorato (pictured far right in photo), one of eight Democrats who voted against the marriage equality bill that failed in the chamber last month, announced Monday that he would not run for re-election in November.

Onorato, who has served his Queens district since 1983, showed vulnerability because of his recent vote against marriage equality, according to the New York Daily News.

"At 82, Onorato is the Senate Democrats' oldest member," reported the Daily News. "His recent 'no' vote on gay marriage made him vulnerable to a primary challenge, worrying party leaders who urged him to step aside, insiders said."

The move by Onorato clears the way for assembly member Michael Gianaris, a staunch LGBT rights supporter, to run for the seat. He has voted for the marriage equality bill all three times it came under consideration in the state assembly.