Posts Tagged As: New York

New York passes LGBT anti-bullying bill

Timothy Kincaid

June 23rd, 2010

From the Gothamist

In a 53-3 vote last night, the state Senate passed the Dignity for All Students Act, which prohibits harassment in school based on “actual or perceived race, color, weight, national origin, ethnic group, religion, religious practice, disability, sexual orientation, gender or sex.”

“Perceived… gender” is understood to include transgender students. Such a strong bipartisan support is a sign of strong support and gives encouragement for future advances in the state Senate.

The Assembly has already passed the bill and the Governor is expected to sign it into law.

“Not Equal” Flag Debuted in New York DADT Protest

Jim Burroway

March 19th, 2010

"Not Equal" Flag (Gay City News)

"Not Equal" Flag (Gay City News)

Protesters carried this banner at a small protest in New York City’s Times Square today against “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell”.  I don’t know if this one will catch on, but given the rising anti-HRC sentiment I wouldn’t be surprised if this starts to become the new rainbow flag, especially given the new flag’s lineage:

Rainbow flag creator Gilbert Baker, himself a Vietnam-era veteran, was on hand with a yellow “is not equal to” symbol he had sewn onto a blue banner. The new flag was commentary on the logo long used by HRC, whose efforts to get Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell repealed and advance other goals are viewed as inadequate by direct action groups emerging nationwide. “HRC isn’t pressing the issue or demanding equality,” Dillon said. “It’s not working.”

Three members of Queer Rising tried to gain access to the Midtown Manhattan Armed Service Career Center, but were blocked. About 20 protesters were on hand altogether.

Queens chose gay marriage

Timothy Kincaid

March 17th, 2010

MonserrateLast year, New York State Senator Hiram Monserrate slashed the face of his girlfriend and dragged her through the building lobby before driving her to a distant hospital. This behavior was too much even for the New York Senate, so they booted him from his Senate seat.

However, Monserrate’s ouster was at least in part due to internal Democratic Party annoyance with him. He had aligned himself with a handful of other Senators and sought to use the tiny party majority as a bargaining point to advance his own personal power and profile. This coup attempt resulted in months of deadlock and confusion with the leadership changing hands at least twice, the doors of the Senate being locked to one faction, and other nonsense. So when it came time for the Party to rally behind a member in need and to overlook his “accident”, he found few willing.

Adding to the discontent was his vote against marriage equality. When Hiram Monserrate ran for the Senate, he portrayed himself as an ally of the gay community and a certain vote for marriage. But instead, he was one of eight Democrats who voted for discrimination and for reserving special rights and privileges for heterosexuals.
*Mar 08 - 00:05*
And it was on this vote that Monserrate ran a campaign to be re-elected to the seat from which he had just been removed. He was endorsed by, the Queens Hispanic Clergy Association, a collection of pastors and other religious leaders whose sole focus was on opposing gay equality. (YourNabe.com)

The Rev. Ricardo Reyes of El Elyon Christian Church in Corona said he represented 612 churches in Queens that oppose same-sex marriage and praised Monserrate for his record of supporting community groups.

“I have seen a generation sunk down by the gay community,” Reyes said. “If we vote for a gay marriage situation … we are sending our children to practice something against the Bible.”

The other candidate in the race was Jose Peralta. While Peralt received the support and endorsement of the Party structure and the unions, much of his financial and grassroots support came from gay individuals and groups who sought to punish Monserrate for his vote and for his newly-adopted anti-gay activism.

While Peralta ran on the scandal, Monserrate and his Queens Hispanic Clergy Association tried to make this a referendum on marriage. Surely, the people of the 13th Senate District in Queens would rather have a man who “accidentally” harmed his girlfriend – who has forgiven him – than the scourge of gay marriage! Right?

No. Yesterday, Jose Peralta became the new Senator-elect. It wasn’t close. (Newsday)

With 81 percent of the precincts reporting, Assemb. Jose Peralta (D-Corona) beat Hiram Monserrate with 66 percent of the vote. Monserrate had 27 percent.

The voters took a look at Monserrate, and Queens chose gay marriage.

Nearly half of all Americans live where there is some recognition of same-sex couples

Timothy Kincaid

March 3rd, 2010

US Map

About 5.1% of Americans (15.5 million) live in areas in which same-sex marriages are legal and equal to opposite-sex marriages: Massachusetts, Connecticut, Iowa, Vermont, New Hampshire, and the District of Columbia.

Another 58.4 million (19.2%) live in states which have either civil unions or domestic partnerships that offer all the rights and protections of marriage without the name: California, New Jersey, Oregon, Nevada, and Washington. To that we can add two more states (New York and Maryland) in which the local state government will honor marriage occurring elsewhere and we have a total of 32.6% of Americans living with the rights and responsibilities of marriage available to their family.

There are also five states which recognize same-sex couples and offer them limited itemized rights. They are Hawaii, Colorado, Wisconsin, Maine, and Rhode Island and they add an additional 14.2 million Americans (4.7%).

But recognition does not stop there. There are dozens more counties and cities who provide what local recognition and benefits as they can, adding another 14.2 million local residents (4.7% of Americans) who can appreciate that their city officials see them as a couple. Local municipalities include the populations of Salt Lake City, UT; Phoeniz AZ; Tuscon AZ; Duluth, MN; Minneapolis, MN; St. Paul, MN; Lawrence, KS; Columbia, MO; Kansas City, MO; St. Lewis, MO; Ann Arbor, MI; Cook County, IL (Chicago); Urbana, IL; Cleveland, OH; Cleveland Heights, OH; Toledo, OH; Philadelphia, PA; Pittsburgh, PA; Harrisburg, PA; El Paso, TX; Travis County, TX (Austin); Eureka Springs, AK; New Orleans, LA; Carrboro, NC; Chapel Hill, NC; Clarke County, GA (Athens); Fulton County, GA (Atlanta); Broward County, FL (Fort Lauderdale); Key West, FL; Miami-Dade County, FL; and West Palm Beach, FL.

In total about 140 million Americans – about 46% of the nation’s population – live where there is some form of official notice of same-sex couples. So NOM can proclaim “victory” when they have an election in California or Maine, but this ball is rolling and the momentum is in the direction of recognition.

New Yorkers disappointed by marriage vote

Timothy Kincaid

December 15th, 2009

The Siena Research Institute has released a survey that shows that a plurality of New Yorkers were displeased that the NY Senate voted for anti-gay discrimination.

* Forty-seven percent of voters were disappointed that the Senate rejected the bill to legalize same sex marriages in New York, compared to 41 percent who were pleased by the Senate\’s vote. In August, 50 percent of voters told Siena that they supported the Senate passing the same sex marriage bill, with 44 percent then opposing Senate passage.

* Liberals, young voters, Democrats and Jewish voters were most disappointed. Conservatives, Republicans, older, and African American voters were most pleased with the Senate vote.

I find this a bit surprising. I figured for the most part the general public doesn’t really experience either much disappointment or much pleasure with legislation that primarily impacts our lives.

“Overall, 40 percent of voters – 42 percent of those who were disappointed in the Senate action and 47 percent of those who were pleased – said that their Senator\’s vote on the issue would be a deciding factor in their vote for State Senator next years.”

While that may be of some advantage to Republicans in conservative districts, it cannot be good news to the eight Democratic “no” votes that at least some of their constituents will be looking for an alternative in the primary.

Sen. Diane Sevino’s testimony

Timothy Kincaid

December 3rd, 2009

You must listen to Sen. Diane Sevino talk of the reasons she supports marriage equality.

Unlike their Senators, New Yorkers want marriage equality

Timothy Kincaid

December 3rd, 2009

NY Senators who voted against equality thinking that they were doing “the will of the people” may find themselves trying to make stuttering explanations in future debates. Cuz “the people” certainly didn’t ask for marriage to be denied to their gay neighbors.

A Marist Poll released yesterday:

Do you favor or oppose legalizing same-sex marriage in New York State?

Total:
Favor – 51%
Oppose – 42%

NYC:
Favor – 61%
Oppose – 33%

Suburbs:
Favor – 47%
Oppose – 47%

Upstate:
Favor – 48%
Oppose – 44%

Primary elections may be key to NY equality

Timothy Kincaid

December 2nd, 2009

I am not particularly receptive to the argument that a representative can be excused at times for voting in a way that might not reflect their own views, but which is required to keep their seat. I think that equality is worth defending even if it requires personal sacrifice.

However, I have nothing but contempt for those who elect to endorse discrimination and bias even when there is no downside to siding with decency and equality.

And of the eight Democrats who voted to deny equal civil rights to their fellow New Yorkers, five were elected in 2008 with no organized opposition in the general election. They were either unopposed, or had only a token Republican opponent who received but a tiny percentage of the votes:

    32nd • Ruben Diaz (D-Bronx)
    10th • Shirley Huntley (D-Queens)
    27th • Carl Kruger (D-Brooklyn)
    13th • Hiram Monserrate (D-Queens)
    12th • George Onorato (D-Queens)

These are definitely not elected officials who secretly support us but were fearful of Republicans using that support against us. No, these Senators voted against our equality because they believe that we are inferior to them and that we don’t deserve the same rights that they enjoy.

The other three won by the following percentages:

    15th • Joseph Addabbo (D-Queens) — 58%
    48th • Darrel Aubertine (D- Cape Vincent) — 53%
    58th • William Stachowski (D-Buffalo) — 53%

While these are not landslides, they are comfortable majorities.

All of which suggests to me that an organized primary fight in which a supporter of equality could prevail might be all that is necessary in most of these districts to bring about marriage equality in New York in the very near future.

As Joe Jarvis at Joe-My-God seems to be on the same page:

Remember all of these names. I will be coming back to you to help fund their opponents.

Marriage Equality vote fails in New York Senate

Timothy Kincaid

December 2nd, 2009

The New York Senate has finally voted on whether to treat all citizens equally and has voted to continue discrimination. The vote was 24 – 38. Those voting against equality will be listed as soon as the breakout is available.

We have much work to do – including a strong effort to remove from office those who have endorsed discrimination and proven themselves to be enemies of equality.

On a personal note, considering the way in which race has been played as a factor in campaigns to deny rights to gay Americans, I was greatly heartened by the number of African American legislators who rose to make impassioned appeals in favor of this bill and to do so in terms of civil rights.

UPDATE: Elizabeth Benjamin has the list

The final vote was 24-38. Seven Democrats voted “no” – Addabbo, Aubertine, Huntley, C. Kruger, Monserrate, Onorato, Stachowski – while not a single Republican voted “yes.”

(It was eight Democrats – Diaz also voted “no”)

We now know those Senators who find civil equality to be in opposition to either their ideals or their self interests. Those who believe that some citizens are entitled to special rights that are to be denied to others are obstacles to freedom and enemies to the principles behind American society. They do not deserve to be representatives.

Where possible, our community needs to focus its energy, time, and money in defeating all of the Republican State Senators and the seven Democratic State Senators and replace them with lovers of freedom and equality of whatever party.

NY Senate is now debating marriage equality

Timothy Kincaid

December 2nd, 2009

The New York marriage equality bill has been approved again by the Assembly (a technical step) and has also been passed by the Senate Rules Committee. Debate has begun on the Senate floor (HudLo.com)

The state Senate started its debate on same-sex marriage a little before 12:30 this afternoon, and the sides were imploring their colleagues to vote one way or another.

Sen. Thomas Duane, D-Manhattan, who is gay and the bill\’s sponsor, asked his colleagues to give him the same rights that the rest of the people in the chamber have.

Sen. Ruben Diaz, D-Bronx, a major opponent of the bill, said the issue should be decided by voters at the polls, not by politicians or judges. He encouraged Democrats and Republicans—whose votes will be needed to pass the bill—to stand up for family values.

You can watch the debate live on the Senate’s website.

UPDATE 2: Debate is closing

UPDATE: Espada will vote “yes”

Pedro Espada was the central figure in the contentious power struggle over control of the Senate this summer. There has been some uncertainly as to whether Espada would support marriage equality or would barter his vote for the advancement of areas of his own interest.

Elizabeth Benjamin reports the answer:

Senators were just treated to a treatise on “morality” by Majority Leader Pedro Espada Jr., who urged his undecided colleagues to join him in voting “yes” on the gay marriage bill.

Espada held forth on his definition of a “vote of conscience,” which is what Senate Minority Leader Dean Skelos has said he will allow his 30-member conference to take on this controversial issue.

Espada couched his support in terms of morality declaring equality to be the morally superior decision.

NY Marriage Vote Today? (Ctd)

Jim Burroway

December 2nd, 2009

Those of you who were hoping for a vote on same-sex marriage in the New York Senate yesterday are probably wondering what happened. Well here’s the scoop: the vote was put off until today. The Senate reconvenes at 10:00 am EST. The Assembly late last night re-passed the marriage bill. Taking another vote during this special session removes any possible procedural obstacle to the bill being sent to the Governor for his signature should the Senate pass in this session.

NY Marriage Vote Today?

Timothy Kincaid

December 1st, 2009

There is a rumor floating in “the ether” that the NY State Senate will vote today on whether to have their state join those who have embraced marriage equality. This vote depends on a resolution to the state budget, an assumption that seem tenuous at the moment.

UPDATE 3: And… it’s been postponed until perhaps tomorrow.

UPDATE 2: It’s on the agenda. WKBW:

The Senate is scheduled to reconvene at 9 p.m., aides said.

On the agenda: the deficit reduction plan and same-sex marriage.

“We’ll vote on gay marriage if there’s enough time,” said one Senate staffer who asked not to be identified.

UPDATE: It looks possible. From the Daily News’ Elizabeth Benjamin

Here’s the strongest sign yet that the gay marriage bill will indeed come to the Senate floor for a vote before the day is over: Sen. Ruben Diaz Sr., the measure’s most outspoken opponent, has retired to his Albany office to pray.

“I don’t know why it has to be done in special session. I don’t know why it has to be today. Is it going to be done? I believe so,” Diaz Sr. told me rather glumly during a brief telephone interview just now.

The Assembly is going to vote (again) favorably on the bill which seems to remove some procedural objection and increases the pressure on the Senate.

Gillibrand, a willing ally

Timothy Kincaid

November 20th, 2009

gillibrandWhen Kirsten Gillibrand was selected to fill Hillary Clinton’s remaining term as US Senator from New York, some questioned the depth of her commitment to equality. A blue-dog upstate Democrat, she had previously spoken more favorably of civil unions.

But it appears that her commitment was not just of the ‘promises in public’ variety. Gillibrand is proving to be the kind of ally that doesn’t magically discover higher priorities or some mystical need for unanimity before acting on our behalf. (Daily News)

Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, who has put LGBT issues on the top of her “to-do” list as she works to shore up her liberal credentials, has placed personal phone calls to on-the-fence Democratic state senators in hopes of getting them to vote “yes” on gay marriage.

Gillibrand’s office confirmed calls had been made, but refused to say who the recipients had been or if anyone had specifically asked the junior senator to weigh in.

“She made calls, yes; and they were private conversations,” Gillibrand spokesman Matt Canter said. “She did it because it’s an issue she cares deeply about.”

Court OKs NY out-of-state marriage recognition

Timothy Kincaid

November 19th, 2009

When the executive branch of the State of New York determined that same-sex marriages conducted legally outside of the state would be recognized, anti-gay activists sued. Today the Court of Appeals backed the State. (A/P)

New York’s top court on Thursday rejected a Christian legal group’s challenge to some government benefits provided to gay couples legally married elsewhere and now living in New York.

The court rejected an argument that same-sex marriage was akin to incest and polygamy but avoided declaring that gay couples are entitled to all the rights of other married couples.

In a 4-3 decision on the narrow question of benefits, the Court of Appeals did not address whether the state must recognize same-sex marriage but encouraged the Legislature to settle the issue. The case was pushed by the Alliance Defense Fund of Scottsdale, Ariz.

NY Senate marriage vote within 50 days

Timothy Kincaid

November 11th, 2009

Governor Paterson is telling media that the Democratic Senate leadership has promised a vote on marriage equality in the NY Senate before the end of the year. (Daily News)

Flanked by four rank-and-file Senate Democrats and ESPA Executive Director Alan Van Capelle, Gov. David Paterson this evening announced there will be a gay marriage vote at “a date not certain between now and the end of the year.”

“This is the first time that the Senate leadership has indicated that it will support a vote on marriage equality,” Paterson said during Red Room press conference that followed a meeting at which the question of bringing the bill to the floor to fail tonight was yet again discussed – and apparently rejected.

“This is a stunning and very happy development in this process,” the governor continued. “…I will continue to place marriage equality on any special sessions that I call on Monday and Tuesday because I feel that the bill should be debated immediately. However, I have profound respect for the leadership of the Senate and the process that they took to bring us to this vote.”

To the extent that the promises of the NY Senate leadership have any credibility whatsoever, this is very good news. Even if we do not win this vote, we will know the names of those individuals who are unwilling to treat all New Yorkers with dignity and equality.

And the Senate leadership will also get a valuable opportunity to explain to the community exactly how the community benefited from working so hard and spending so much money to achieve a Democratic majority in the Senate. Considering the willingness of New York gays to see the advancement of the community as more important than partisan power games or the career advancement of politicians, this should be a fascinating conversation.

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