<div id="subtitle">Former Senate Majority Leader Joe Bruno has flipped his stance on gay marriage</div><div><p> <p>Former Senate Majority Leader Joseph Bruno has flipped his stance on gay marriage.</p> <p>Bruno told the AP that he supports the legalization of gay marriage in New York, a flip for the eighty-year-old lawmaker.</p> <p>Albany's most powerful Republican lawmaker retired last year after serving 13 years as majority leader, but his opinion is likely to influence the debate on a gay marriage bill waiting for the Senate's approval to become law.</p> <p>“As a Republican, I believe in personal freedom,” Bruno said in a statement. “I opposed same-sex marriage largely because the overwhelming majority of my caucus opposed it. As a relatively conservative Roman Catholic, I instinctively view marriage as the foundation of the family.”</p> <p>“However, that view really does conflict with the rights that are afforded all of us,” he added. “This is America and we have inalienable rights … life is short and we should all be afforded the same opportunities and rights to enjoy it.”</p> <p>Bruno said longtime friend Governor David Paterson's strong support for gay marriage helped him recognize marriage as a civil right.</p> <p>But with six official days left in the legislative session, the Senate engulfed in a power struggle, and no public Republican support on the issue, gay marriage in the Empire State is likely on hold till next year.</p> <p> </p> <p> </p> </p><img src="http://admatch-syndication.mochila.com/images/ad.gif?aid=52685706&bid=informcom" /></div><div id="copyright"><div>

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