Thursday's 20-14 vote against the measure ended any chance of getting a same-sex marriage bill approved in the state anytime soon. Gov.-elect Chris Christie, who opposes gay marriage, takes office Jan. 19.
The bill's defeat had been expected.
Nevertheless, Marty Finkle of South Orange says he's angry that five senators did not vote and that several Democrats voted "no." He and others say they won't stop pushing for gay marriage, though.
The gay rights group Garden State Equality says its intends to file a lawsuit on the issue, hoping to get the state's courts to legalize gay nuptials.
