NEW YORK, NY May 17, 2009 —Pro- and anti-gay marriage demonstrators are holding two separate rallies in Manhattan Saturday afternoon. WNYC's Elaine Rivera reports.

REPORTER: State Senator Ruben Diaz Senior, an evangelical minister, is holding a rally along with dozens of other ministers and hundreds of their congregants to protest the state's gay marriage bill. He says Sunday services are suspended so people can attend. The rally will be held in front of the Manhattan offices of Governor David Paterson, who's been pushing for the passage of the Marriage Equality Act. It passed the Assembly last week, but has yet to make it to the Senate floor for a vote, because it may not have enough support. A pro-gay marriage rally is also taking place today in midtown Manhattan. Expected to attend are State Senator Tom Duane and Assemblyman Daniel O'Donnell, the sponsors of gay marriage bills in their respective chambers.

For WNYC, I'm Elaine Rivera.