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Supporters insist the vote could have gone the other way. Polls show that while divided, New Yorkers favor same-sex marriage.

Advocates thought they had the numbers. And in the State Assembly, which has now approved gay marriage three times, all lawmakers voting yes held their seats.

Wednesday's defeat on the other side of the capitol could be chalked up to several hurdles. For one, the perceived growing strength of social conservatives who forced out Republican moderate Dede Scozzafava from a recent upstate congressional race -- a turn of events that scarred other Republicans.

The movement also lost momentum after this summer's power struggle sidetracked same sex marriage from the top of the senate's agenda.

And finally, there was an apparent lack of support from the senate's 32 Democrats. Republicans, the thinking goes, could have been persuaded to go along, but not if eight Democrats weren't.

"If the Democrats were able to deliver a critical mass of their membership, that Republicans would make up the difference. And if that had happened today, I know that we would have had a very different result," said Jeff Cook of the Log Cabin Republicans.

Some Democrats stayed away because they represent conservative, suburban areas. And during the recession, pocketbook issues may trump all else even though to opponents, the vote was more about values.

"I think today that New Yorkers recognize that moms and dads matter, and that's really what this is all about," said Reverend Jason McGuire of New Yorkers for Constitutional Freedoms.

While gay rights advocates were anxious for legalization, it may be that they have to do little to get a victory except wait.

Polls show younger New Yorkers are far more supportive of equal marriage rights than their parents and grandparents.

As to what's next, it's unlikely the bill would fare better next year, when all lawmakers are up for election. But gay rights groups, who helped fund the Democratic takeover of the State Senate last year, see the loss as a catalyst.

"You will some battles, you move some people, sometimes you have a setback, sometimes it doesn't happen easily, sometimes there are other political factors and configurations that get in the way. We need to keep at it," said Evan Wolfson of Freedom to Marry.