The 26th annual AIDS walk was on Sunday in New York. Over 40,000 marched in the walk, which raised $6 million to fight the disease.
Meanwhile, in the Bronx, anti-gay state senator Ruben Diaz Sr. was holding his own rally against gay marriage, while his granddaughter, Erica Diaz, took part in a marriage equality rally with her girlfriend.
"I started crying a little bit because they don't believe we're people," Erica Diaz, told the Daily News. "I wanted [my grandfather] to know I'm here and I stand for what I believe in."
Diaz Sr. made clear he loves his granddaughter, but would not attend a wedding between her and her girlfriend if gay marriage were made legal in New York.
The State Sen. is a longtime, vocal opponent of gay marriage and gay rights. He once argued that the Gay Games would encourage homosexuality and spread H.I.V. In 2003, he tried to shut down a high school for gay and transgender students by suing the city.
The dueling rallies come as Gov. Andrew Cuomo and other marriage equality advocates push to pass a gay marriage bill through the state legislature.
In December of 2009, a same-sex marriage bill was defeated by a 24-38 vote in the state Senate. All Republicans and eight Democrats voted against the measure.
Supporters of this year's legislation hope that the support of an immensely popular governor coupled with encouraging public polling on the issue, will be enough to wage a successful battle this time around.