ALBANY (AP) -- The chairman of New York's Independence Party says he's personally supporting the legalization of gay marriage.
Frank MacKay leads the state's third largest party. He says he sees the issue as one of fighting discrimination and prejudice.
The party representing 425,000 members is taking no official position on the issue. But MacKay tells The Associated Press Monday he's reminding lawmakers that the influential party's guiding principle is protecting civil rights.
MacKay's statement could be key in the critical state Senate vote because the Conservative Party strongly opposes the measure.
Some Republicans essential to the bill's passage could have to choose between the parties' endorsements.
The Conservative Party's membership is about a third as large as the Independence Party's.
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