NEW YORK, NY April 17, 2009 —Some of the fiercest opposition to Governor Paterson's same-sex marriage bill is coming from a fellow Democrat. Bronx State Senator Ruben Diaz is also an evangelical minister. WNYC's Elaine Rivera has more.

REPORTER: Diaz says Paterson insulted all people of faith by introducing the bill so close to major holidays and the installation of a new catholic archbishop. Diaz is planning a rally next month when he'll call for Paterson's ouster:

DIAZ: You could put it down, during the month of May, we will bring out thousands and thousands of Hispanic evangelical christians in the city of New York to ask Governor Paterson to step aside.

REPORTER: Diaz is predicting the bill won't make it past the state senate, but Paterson and bill supporters say they believe they can find the votes. For WNYC, I'm Elaine Rivera.