A dissident Democrat who sought to block the legalization of gay marriage says gay advocates are threatening him.
Sen. Ruben Diaz Sr. of the Bronx, a minister, says the gay community is jamming his office phone and making threats to him and his staff. He also lashed out at newspaper editorial boards that have been critical of his efforts that could deny Democrats a majority and called political commentator and former New York City Mayor Ed Koch a rat.
Diaz says he will either join the Republicans, stay neutral to create an impasse, or join the Democratic conference.
Democratic senators are meeting Friday in closed-door session. The party won a 32-30 majority in November, but three dissidents threaten that.
Copyright AP - Associated Press
