GLBT town hall meeting in Westchester

I attended this event last evening for the first time since relocating to Westchester a year and a half ago.

I was happy to see that I recognized a few familiar faces, particularly those whom I had met at Equality and Fairness Day in Albany - a day set aside for GLBT and Allies to lobby.

The evening was amazing - Andrew Spano, the County Executive was there - he spoke of the work of creating the office of GLBT affairs and indicated that he had received no calls or static for doing so. He seems to be a decent man, his large budget notwithstanding.

There were tears and frustration at the open mike as people discussed being able to have domestic partner benefits - what would happen now that the Democrats no longer have a majority in the Senate - would gay marriage ultimately prevail in NY?

I think that the time is coming for NY to recognize this is a civil rights issue, as Governor Paterson so eloquently stated on that day in Albany a few weeks ago - it was at one time appropriate to discriminate against blacks and women and now it is gays - time to stop already!

New York Governor to propose legalizing same-sex marriage

This headline from the CNN online ticker surprised me today. David Paterson has stepped into the fray of gay rights marriage and sees, as do I and countless others, that this is akin to passing hate crimes legislation - it is a civil rights issue.

I had thought that the Governor would wait until he had been elected and was safely esconced in Albany for 4 years prior to taking on this hot potato - at least, I read as much last year. Clearly he has taken a calculated risk in coming "out" like this relative to such a highly political issue.

Here is an excerpt from the story: "There is clearly a problem in that those individuals who are gay or lesbian who would live in a civil union are still not entitled to somewhere between 1,250 and 1,300 civil protections" available to married couples, Paterson said. "We would like to try to address that at some point in the near future."

And: "Former Gov. Eliot Spitzer introduced the same bill in 2007. It passed in the Assembly 85-61 but died in the state Senate.

The bill's chief supporter in the Senate, Democratic state Sen. Thomas Duane, said Paterson "knows how hard it is to pass this kind of legislation."

"He worked to try to pass hate crime legislation for many years," Duane said. "I know how strongly the governor feels about this kind of civil rights legislation."
Paterson has previously said he is committed to bringing "full marriage equality in New York State."

"No governor in the history of New York has been at the forefront," said Kellner. "He realizes it is the civil rights movement of the 21st century."
Duane agreed. "I also know that he [Paterson] knows that this will be a defining moment."

I am hopeful that the GLBT community will be able to organize and lobby senators and legislators on this issue so that we can get the bill passed in Albany - Equality is right. I will be in Albany on April 28th for Equality and Justice Day - I encourage my GLBT friends and allies to do the same.

Here is the link to the story: http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/04/14/ny.same.sex.marriage/index.html?eref=rss_politics&iref=polticker

Equality and Justice Day in Albany

Our GLBT friends continue to be under fire. Equal is right and it is time that the NY legislature heard it loud and clear.

On April 28, I shall take my first ever trip to Albany. I am not new to lobbying, given that I was a political appointee in Utah, and spent many hours lobbying at the capitol for various causes, including GLBT issues.

I received the following email from the ACLU in New York asking me to attend this event and I plan to take my first vacation day from my job in order to have my voice be heard:


In the historic movement for LGBT rights, New York has become the new national battleground.
A democratic majority rules our State Senate for the first time in decades. And this year, we have a real chance to secure marriage fairness, transgender rights, and safe schools for LGBT youth. The nation has its eyes on us, and we can make history.

Will you join the NYCLU and hundreds of New Yorkers in Albany on Tuesday, April 28 in this powerful show of force?

Register now for Equality and Justice Day.
Last year more than 1,200 people from all across New York descended upon Albany on Equality & Justice Day to tell their elected officials that all families deserve fairness and protection. With the passage of Prop 8, LGBT rights in California have been stripped. Now we must step up and tell our elected officials: All New Yorkers’ Deserve Equality.

There will be a huge rally, lobby visits, workshops, an NYCLU reception, food and more!
NYCLU is sponsoring buses to Albany on Equality & Justice Day. Register now! Buses leave from all over the state. Registration Deadline is Wednesday, April 8. We cannot guarantee a bus seat or scheduled lobby visits after this date.

Contact Erica for more information at 212-607-3361 or e-mail ebraudy@nyclu.org. Equality and Justice Day is sponsored by the Empire State Pride Agenda.