The New York Senate voted down the “Marriage Equality” bill yesterday, disappointing gay advocates who were fighting for the legislation.

The bill failed by a wide margin, 38-24. Few opponents rose to the podium to debate supporters of the legislation. Instead, many opponents just argued it was a bad time.

“Certainly this is an emotional issue and an important issue for many New Yorkers,” Senator Tom Libous, the deputy Republican leader, told the New York Times. “I just don’t think the majority care too much about it at this time because they’re out of work, they want to see the state reduce spending, and they are having a hard time making ends meet. And I don’t mean to sound callous, but that’s true.”

The tearful defeat ensures the gay marriage debate is dead until 2011, when new legislators are able to come into office.

“This is the worst example of political cowardice I’ve ever seen,” said Senator Kevin S. Parker, a Brooklyn Democrat. “Clearly people said things prior to coming to the floor and behaved differently.”

To read more about this story, visit The New York Times.

– Simon Husted