In November, Democrats in the State Senate finally wrestled control from the Republicans after four decades. New Yorkers like me expressed hope that in the wake of the Prop 8 disaster, marriage equality would at least be established in our state and that we could be a model for other states around the country. Fast forward half a year later and gay marriage is legal in most of New England, while marriage equality in New York and California could not be further away.

The marriage equality bill passed in the New York State Assembly and it was up to the State Senate to pass the bill.  However, most New Yorkers came home today to the news that today saw the defection of two Democratic State Senators to the Republican side, effectively giving them control of the New York State Senate and the power to kill marriage equality. These two senators are Hiram Monserrate of Queens and Pedro Espada Jr. of the Bronx.

I cannot say that I am surprised as both men have been political weasels and opportunists for most of their careers. Pedro Espada held the Senate hostage earlier this year by joining the "gang of three", three Democrats opposed to gay marriage and seeking positions of power in the Senate. Today, he got his position of power, as the new temporary President of the Senate. While gushing with pride about his new position and what it "means" for Hispanics in New York State, I bet he hasn't thought once about how many of his constituents in the Bronx he's stabbed in the back by siding with the Republicans. A weasel to the very end it seems.

Monserrate especially disappoints me. During his time in the New York City Council, he was an advocate for the rights of illegal immigrants, helping them to get city services without fear of exposing their illegal status. I don't quite understand the reason for his defection but it doing so, a man that previous helped to enfranchise an entire community, has effectively helped to slam the door shut on another community. Currently there is a criminal case against him where if he is convicted, he will be thrown out of the Senate. Of course, even if he is replaced by a Democrat, fellow weasel Reuben Diaz of the Bronx will also likely defect to the Republicans.

Truly democracy suffers when it can be held hostage by a handful of men.

We in New York are stuck with a lame duck governor, a huge budget hole and State Senate Republicans that are hell bent on fighting any attempt to close it. Thomas Libous, a Binghamton Republican reportedly said "This is historic...There is going to be reform. You are going to see things that you've never seen in Albany." He's right in one respect as I don't think I've ever seen crap like this. Where else but this state can Thirty Republicans and Two Democrats take control of the Senate Chamber and elect their own leaders? Where else but this state can legislators become so obsessed with party politics and social issues that they derail the democratic process in its entirety? New York State Republicans are content to play their fiddles while the entire state burns, and that disgusts me.

Republican State Senator Thomas Libous promises to bring change and "reform", but after 40 years of Republican control, what change can there be? I call BULLSHIT on that.

For the time being, I and my fellow New Yorkers are loading into lifeboats and preparing for rough seas. Can this state survive another year of Republican control? While the Republicans celebrate in Albany, I cannot help but wonder how this farce will define the state of New York in the coming years. To the thousands of gays in the state of New York, I am truly sorry. Today, the democratic process has failed you.

To Pedro Espada and Hiram Monserrate, sleep well tonight.  Tomorrow, we in New York City are coming for your seats.