A vote of conscience has left the four Republican senators who helped legalize gay marriage already facing retribution from the Conservative Party.
Conservative Party Chairman Michael Long said the four have lost the backing of the small but influential party for what he deemed their "betrayal" of principles.
"It's absolutely a betrayal," Long said. "They accepted the Conservative Party endorsement. They knew were we stood on the issue."
But Gov. Cuomo and gay rights advocates had the backs of the four senators - Sens. James Alesi of Rochester, Roy McDonald of Saratoga Springs, Stephen Saland of Poughkeepsie, and Mark Grisanti of Buffalo - Friday night after the historic vote.
Cuomo, a Democrat who polls show is popular among Republicans, deemed all four "people of courage, people of principle" and recognized that for them, the vote to support gay marriage was "politically more dangerous."
"I represent the people of this state of New York and I'm going to tell them what I believe and that is what I believe," Cuomo said. "To the extent that is the truth and it helps them, so be it."
Gay marriage advocates said they expect money from same-sex groups to flow to the four not just as a thank you, but also as a message to Republicans nationally.
The four Republicans know their votes could cost them their political careers, but said they felt compelled to do what they now believe is the right thing.
Alesi, an eight-term senator, last week became the first GOPer to switch sides. Two years ago he voted no on gay marriage, a move he later admitted was agonizing but politically-motivated to protect the Republican conference, which was in the minority at the time.
He has said he hopes to travel across the country to solicit Republican support for gay marriage in other states.
McDonald, a two-term senator, was next as he reversed his previous opposition to gay marriage last week as well. The former military man said he has evolved on the issue and even became a brief internet sensation when he said to critics: "F--- it, I don't care what you think. I'm trying to do the right thing."
He said he has since received threats and fully expects a primary next year.
Heading into Friday's vote, all eyes were on Saland, a 10-term senator, and Grisanti, a freshman to the chamber.
Saland, known for his scholarly demeanor, voted against gay marriage in 2009. He didn't tip his hand until he spoke on the floor Friday in support of an amendment he helped craft to protect religious groups that refuse to cater to gay couples.
He said he received scores of emails and letters on the issue. He spoke of coming from a traditional background, but having parents who always taught him to "do the right thing."
"My intellectual and emotional journey has ended here today, and I have to define doing the right thing as treating all people with equality," Saland said.
Grisanti's evolution was more stunning. He had run for office last year opposed to gay marriage.
A freshman senator representing a mainly Democratic district, Grisanti said he was having a hard time reconciling his Catholic upbringing that stressed marriage was only between one man and one woman and his belief as a lawyer that everyone is entitled to the same basic rights.
He vacillated for weeks before casting a vote he knew could end his political career. He apologized to those upset that he changed his stance since being elected.
"A man can be wiser today than yesterday, but there would be no respect for him if he has failed his duty to do the work," Grisanti concluded.
Conservative Party Chairman Michael Long said the four have lost the backing of the small but influential party for what he deemed their "betrayal" of principles.
"It's absolutely a betrayal," Long said. "They accepted the Conservative Party endorsement. They knew were we stood on the issue."
But Gov. Cuomo and gay rights advocates had the backs of the four senators - Sens. James Alesi of Rochester, Roy McDonald of Saratoga Springs, Stephen Saland of Poughkeepsie, and Mark Grisanti of Buffalo - Friday night after the historic vote.
"I represent the people of this state of New York and I'm going to tell them what I believe and that is what I believe," Cuomo said. "To the extent that is the truth and it helps them, so be it."
Gay marriage advocates said they expect money from same-sex groups to flow to the four not just as a thank you, but also as a message to Republicans nationally.
The four Republicans know their votes could cost them their political careers, but said they felt compelled to do what they now believe is the right thing.
Alesi, an eight-term senator, last week became the first GOPer to switch sides. Two years ago he voted no on gay marriage, a move he later admitted was agonizing but politically-motivated to protect the Republican conference, which was in the minority at the time.
He has said he hopes to travel across the country to solicit Republican support for gay marriage in other states.
McDonald, a two-term senator, was next as he reversed his previous opposition to gay marriage last week as well. The former military man said he has evolved on the issue and even became a brief internet sensation when he said to critics: "F--- it, I don't care what you think. I'm trying to do the right thing."
He said he has since received threats and fully expects a primary next year.
Heading into Friday's vote, all eyes were on Saland, a 10-term senator, and Grisanti, a freshman to the chamber.
Saland, known for his scholarly demeanor, voted against gay marriage in 2009. He didn't tip his hand until he spoke on the floor Friday in support of an amendment he helped craft to protect religious groups that refuse to cater to gay couples.
He said he received scores of emails and letters on the issue. He spoke of coming from a traditional background, but having parents who always taught him to "do the right thing."
"My intellectual and emotional journey has ended here today, and I have to define doing the right thing as treating all people with equality," Saland said.
Grisanti's evolution was more stunning. He had run for office last year opposed to gay marriage.
A freshman senator representing a mainly Democratic district, Grisanti said he was having a hard time reconciling his Catholic upbringing that stressed marriage was only between one man and one woman and his belief as a lawyer that everyone is entitled to the same basic rights.
He vacillated for weeks before casting a vote he knew could end his political career. He apologized to those upset that he changed his stance since being elected.
"A man can be wiser today than yesterday, but there would be no respect for him if he has failed his duty to do the work," Grisanti concluded.
