Metro

‘Daily Show’ targets SI senator during segment on gay marriage vote

ALBANY – Staten Island Republican – potential same-sex marriage tiebreaker – Andrew Lanza found himself in Jon Stewart’s crosshairs last night, as the influential comedic host of “The Daily Show” continued to beat the drum for gay nuptials.

Stewart led his “We’re here, we’re queer, get newsed to it” segment with a local news clip highlighting Lanza’s status among a handful of Republican senators still undecided on the legislation, which is just one vote shy of the 31 needed to pass the chamber and make New York the sixth and largest state to allow gays to wed.

“This could take a while,” Stewart joked. “Staten Island Republican, eh? I guess gay marriage rests on whether this guy is willing to be called the Staten Island fairy for the rest of his life.”

“But you know what? It’s good news,” Stewart said. “Moving in the right direction.”

Lanza, for his part says, says he’s not satisfied with provisions included in Gov. Cuomo’s legislation to protect religious groups and civic organizations who disapprove of gay marriage from having to accomodate same-sex ceremonies.

The bill passed the Democratically controlled Assembly 80-63 last night. Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos (R-Nassau) reported no decision on whether to allow a vote yesterday after gathering with his members for four hours behind closed doors. The conference is scheduled to resume this morning.

brendan.scott@nypost.com