ALBANY, N.Y., June 13 (UPI) -- Three Democratic New York state senators said Monday they are reversing their previous positions and now support legalizing gay marriage.
In 2009, Sens. Joseph P. Addabbo Jr., Shirley L. Huntley and Carl Kruger all voted against the legalization of same-sex marriage and their move to the yea side leaves only one Democrat, Sen. Ruben Diaz Sr., refusing to budge from his no vote, The New York Times reported.
First-term Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo has made same-sex marriage a top priority.
"I believe that votes will be there for marriage equality if the vote happens," Cuomo told reporters at the Capitol.
The three Democratic senators were at the governor's side, with each one saying the reason for their changing sides on the issue was because their constituency had changed in viewpoint and they along with it, the Times said.
"What we're about to do is redefine what the American family is," Kruger said. "And that's a good thing. The world around us evolves."
After speaking with reporters, the governor met in the Capitol with gay rights advocates, elected officials and labor groups to hammer out a final strategy.
A vote is expected Thursday or Friday and if the measure passes and is signed by Cuomo as expected, New York will become the sixth and biggest state in the United States allowing same-sex marriage.
