Looks like DC beat New York State to the gay-marriage punch on a technicality : D.C. Council votes to legalize same-sex marriage - washingtonpost.com

After months of debate, the council passed the bill 11 to 2. It still must take a second vote in two weeks before the measure can go to Mayor Adrian M. Fenty (D), who has said he will sign it.

If the bill survives a required congressional review period, the District will join New Hampshire, Connecticut, Iowa, Vermont and Massachusetts in allowing same-sex marriage.

There was a rumor floating around this morning that the New York State Senate was poised to vote on their version of the same-sex marriage bill that was passed by the Assembly earlier this year. What may end up holding the vote hostage? The DRP or Deficit Reduction Plan the NYSenate has been squabbling about for what seems now like an eternity.

Liz Benjamin over at The Daily Politics - NY Daily News quotes Paterson's fighting words over the rumor that the vote could take place today:

The governor did say he finds it "reprehensible" that gay marriage has been held hostage to the DRP vote, adding:

"It's on the special session calendar. We're in special session. We have cleared the roadblocks away...I don't think that issues stand anywhere but on their own, and the issues deserve a vote up or down."

"So, for anyone who's trying to influence my position on the DRP because they know I'm interested in passing marriage equality, I think that's a grotesque twist of justice and a rather insensitive way to lobby here in New York State."

So stay tuned through out live link to the NY Senate. We'll find out by the end of the day if this vote has been held hostage by the UFT loving budget cut deniers or not.