President Barack Obama did not explicitly endorse the New York state senate's bid to pass a gay marriage law at a Democratic fundraising gala in New York, sponsored by the gay and lesbian community.

New York's state's 62 senators had been expected to vote on the gay marriage law late Thursday, already passed by the New York state assembly last week, but adjourned before midnight without making a decision, according to NBC News.

"Right now. I understand there's a little debate going on here in New York about whether to join five other states and DC in allowing civil marriage for gay couples," Obama told the crowd, referring to the five US states and the District of Columbia where gay marriage is legal.