(AgapePress) - After more than 30 years of stalling, Republicans in the New York State Senate have said they will allow a vote on homosexual rights legislation this December.

According to The New York Times, the homosexual rights bill was first introduced in 1971, and would add the words "sexual orientation" to the state's current law banning discrimination on the basis of race, religion, color, age, national origin, sex, disability or marital status. There are limited exceptions in the law to accommodate religious practices, the Times said.

For three decades the GOP-controlled Senate has kept the measure off the floor, preventing a vote. It has been passed every year since 1993 by the New York State Assembly, which is dominated by Democrats.

Conservatives regularly oppose such legislation, saying it is not necessary, threatens small businesses with frivolous lawsuits, and threatens religious and traditional values.

AFA President Tim Wildmon said, "New Jersey added the words 'sexual orientation' to its non-discrimination law, and homosexuals used it to go after the Boy Scouts in an attempt to force that organization to accept homosexuals as Scout leaders. These laws are nothing more than a powerful club in the hands of activists."

Republican Governor George Pataki has repeatedly said he would sign the bill if it came to his desk. However, Democrats and leaders within the homosexual community have criticized Pataki for being unable to muster the political clout to get Senate Republicans to vote on the bill. The issue has come up during the current race for governor, where the incumbent is in a close race with Democratic challenger H. Carl McCall, the state controller.

However, the surprise announcement by State Senate Majority Leader Joe Bruno that the bill will finally come up for a vote has led Democrats to cry foul. According to the New York Daily News, McCall complained about the suspicious timing.

"For eight years, George Pataki has been promising [to get the bill passed], Joe Bruno has been stopping it," he said. "Now, what, two weeks before an election...all of a sudden Joe Bruno and George Pataki come up with a little gimmick to try to buy off an endorsement? Most of the endorsements they have, they bought."

Whatever the motivation behind the state Senate about-face, a leading homosexual rights group, The Empire State Pride Agenda, praised Pataki. "I do think the governor's leadership has been critical in bringing about this," said Executive Director Matt Foreman.

Political observers believe that the GOP's change of heart probably means the bill will pass in the Senate.

Gov. Pataki said, "I will work with Senator Bruno and do everything I can to see this bill passed and signed into law by the end of the year."

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