Both sides of the gay marriage debate are gearing up for battle, as the closely-divided State Senate prepares to debate the measure passed by the State Assembly.

The bill allowing same-sex marriage passed the Assembly by a vote of 89-52 yesterday, drawing more support than the measure the chamber passed in 2007.

Five Republicans voted in favor of the bill.

The legislation did stir up some strong debate on the Assembly floor.

"I am seeking a piece of paper that is issued by my government that all of you have had. Some of you have had it two or three times," said openly gay Manhattan Assemblyman Daniel O'Donnell, as he held aloft a marriage certificate. "Some of you are running for governor managed to marry their cousin and all that's okay. But I don't get one. So this is not about anybody's religion. This is about 'by the power vested in me by the state of New York.'"

"To say that gay marriage, a gay family is just as good as a heterosexual family is to deny a child a mother or a father - either one, depending on the relationship," said Assemblyman Michael Fitzpatrick.

Same-sex marriage is legal in five states, although California residents recently voted to overturn their law.

Governor David Paterson has said he supports legalizing same-sex marriage.