The New York State Senate announced that marriage equality might become a reality by New Years Day, according to an article by Gay City News.

The meeting included Gov. David A. Paterson, senior Democratic lawmakers and the top LGBT activists.

The meeting was called on Nov. 10 and was supposed to focus on adopting a new budget reduction plan, but was instead spent discussing whether to bring the marriage equality bill to the floor for debate and a vote.

Four senior Democrats and the executive director of the Empire State Pride Agenda, Alan Van Capelle, announced to the press “the Senate leadership has made a specific commitment to hold a debate and vote on marriage equality before the end of 2009.”

“For the very first time, we have an historic commitment from the Senate majority to bring the bill to the floor,” said Van Capelle. “I believe that we had the votes to pass the bill in June. I believe if it had been debated last night we would have had the votes.”

To read the full article go here.

-Katelynd Jarvis