Quinn: We Made History Because We Never Lost Faith

Speaking at the Dream Hotel in Chelsea earlier tonight, City Council Speaker Christine Quinn once again applauded those who spurred state lawmakers to support the marriage equality bill.

The presumptive 2013 mayoral candidate told supporters that they made history "because we never lost faith," referring to the state Senate's 24-36 vote against a marriage equality bill in Dec. 2009.

Quinn's partner, Kim Catullo, was among those in attendance.

Brooklyn state senator surrenders to federal authorities

A case of another (potential closet case) hypocrite who falls hard?

New York State Sen. Carl Kruger [D-Brooklyn] surrendered to federal authorities earlier this morning for alleged corruption.

Kruger was one of the handful of Democrats—including disgraced former state Sen. Hiram Monserrate [D-Jackson Heights]—who voted against a bill in late 2009 that would have allowed gays and lesbians to marry in New York State. LGBT activists protested outside his Mill Basin home after the vote, and some even questioned Kruger’s sexual orientation.

Queens voter: Monserrate is not a good example to our children

He is not a good example for our children.

Queens voter Pedro Duran provided one of the innumerable takeaways from former state Sen. Hiram Monserrate's failed campaign to regain his seat in the 13th State Senatorial District's special election. State Assemblyman José Peralta garnered 66 percent of the vote, compared to the 27 percent Monserrate and 7 percent administrative law judge Robert Beltrani received.

A judge convicted Monserrate last October of misdemeanor assault against his girlfriend Karla Giraldo in his Jackson Heights apartment in Dec. 2008. Giraldo urged area voters in a video she posted to YouTube to support her boyfriend.



This plea thankfully fell on deaf ears.

Univision poll indicates Peralta has commanding lead over Monserrate

With less than three weeks to go until voters in the 13th Senatorial District go to the polls in the special election, a Univision poll indicates state Assemblyman José Peralta has a commanding lead over former state Sen. Hiram Monserrate [D-Jackson Heights.]

The survey indicates 78 percent of respondents support Peralta, as opposed to 22 percent who back Monserrate. It's practically a foregone conclusion Peralta will easily win the March 16 special election, but the group of Queens religious leaders who endorsed Monserrate earlier this week proves the former New York City Councilmember still has support in spite of his conviction last October of misdemeanor assault against his girlfriend in his Jackson Heights apartment in Dec. 2008.

Stay tuned...

Monserrate saga continues

The Hiram Monserrate saga continues!

The former state Senator and his lawyers plan to return to court on Thursday to assert in a federal lawsuit the decision to expel him from the state Senate violated his civil rights. He remained defiant as he spoke to reporters late last week.

"I will continue to serve," Monserrate said as the Daily News reported. "I will continue to help be a problem solver and deal with the many, many needs [of] my community."

I was literally in a Las Vegas hotel room getting ready for an event when news of Monserrate's expulsion broke. A flurry of tweets, breaking news e-mails and even phone calls ensued, but the 53-8 vote certainly amounted to a collective repudiation of the former police officer's conduct over the last 14 months -- his conviction last October for assaulting his girlfriend, (and the role he played in the Senate coup last June, among many other things.)

One political strategist told Boy in Bushwick last month he thought lawmakers would vote to expel Monserrate
ahead of the budget process so he would not be able to "screw around again." Some gay activists outside New York speculated Monserrate's vote against a bill that would have allowed same-sex couples to marry sparked some lawmakers to support his expulsion. In the end, however, it appears as though the ethically-challenged legislature drew a firm line in the sand: a domestic violence conviction amounts to an unfitness to serve in public office--even in the New York State Senate.

Monserrate will continue to portray himself as a martyr as he fights this decision, but it is time for Albany to move forward from this extremely unfortunate episode. The state's deficit continues to balloon, the economy remains week and gays and lesbians cannot legally marry in New York. The people's business remains far from finished, and the ongoing Monserrate saga should no longer distract from getting it done.

Monserrate compares himself to murdered civil rights activists

Call him a martyr!

As the New York State Senate prepares for a probable vote to censure and expel embattled state Sen. Hiram Monserrate [D-Jackson Heights] from office, the former police officer has compared himself to four slain civil rights workers.

"Students from the college [Queens College] that I went to died to help African-Americans have the right to vote," Monserrate told the Daily News yesterday. "Today, the Senate would seek to push back the clock and discredit the major movement that occurred here in the United States to protect the rights of all Americans."

This rather desperate comment comes nearly two weeks after several Albany sources confirmed to EDGE a committee would recommend Monserrate's censure or expulsion from the state Senate after a Queens judge convicted him in October of misdemeanor assault against his girlfriend inside his Jackson Heights apartment on Dec. 2008. The committee released its findings last week. And a vote on Monserrate's future could come within days.

The clock continues to tick on Monserrate's tenure in Albany; and implications he plans to go down as a self-anointed martyr will almost certainly strengthen the resolve of those who want to rid themselves of a tiresome distraction.

Sources: New York State Senate could move to expel Monserrate this week

A state Senate committee’s decision to expel embattled state Sen. Hiram Monserrate [D-Jackson Heights] could come this week, a number of sources have said.

The Daily News reported late last month the committee would likely recommend Monserrate’s expulsion. A judge convicted in October the former New York City Councilmember and police officer of misdemeanor assault against girlfriend Karla Giraldo.

Democrats—U.S. Sens. Charles Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand, Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney and others—around the state continue to urge Monserrate to step down. The Queens Democratic establishment has lined up behind Assemblymember José Peralta [D-Jackson Heights] ahead of a possible special election next month. And Monserrate continues to face growing calls to step down from advocates of domestic violence victims, LGBT activists upset with his vote last month against marriage for same-sex couples and others.

Senate Democratic Conference Leader John Sampson [D-Brooklyn] created the special committee after Monserrate’s conviction. State Sen. Eric Schneiderman [D-Manhattan] chairs the committee, and state Sens. Diane Savino [D-Staten Island] and Ruth Hassell-Thompson [D-Mount Vernon] are among its members.

Lawmakers remain tight lipped about Monserrate’s future, but it remains clear legislators will move quickly.

"They don't want Monserrate hanging around for the budget so he can screw around again," one source said.

Hundreds rally in Union Square against state Senate marriage vote

Governor David Paterson, state Sen. Tom Duane [D-Chelsea] and New York City Council Speaker Christine Quinn were among the hundreds who gathered in Union Square earlier tonight to protest the state Senate's vote yesterday against a bill that would have allowed gays and lesbians to marry.

"I'm angry at the betrayal of people who are supposed to be standing up for our civil rights," Duane proclaimed as the crowd cheered. "The Democrats failed us in the Senate."

Six of the eight Democrats who opposed the bill--state Sens. Joseph Addabbo, Jr., Ruben Diaz, Sr., Shirley Huntley, Carl Kruger, Hiram Monserrate and George Onorato--are from the five boroughs. Diaz is the only lawmaker who spoke against the marriage bill on the Senate floor yesterday. And Duane told Boy in Bushwick the 37 others who opposed the proposed legislation have yet to provide him with a reason they decided to vote against it.

"They have no good reason," he added. "There is no excuse for saying no."



Governor David Paterson speaks to the crowd.

New York activists, politicians scoff at marriage threats

As activists and politicians prepare for a possible marriage vote in the New York State Senate by the end of the year, they continue to scoff at the primary challenge threats the National Organization for Marriage has made against any Republican Senator who supports the bill.

Attached is a link to the article I posted to EDGE earlier this morning that contains an interview with state Sen. Tom Duane [D-Manhattan] and others. Maine's successful marriage referendum has certainly energized and even emboldened NOM and other like-minded groups. The Catholic Archdiocese of Washington further disclosed yesterday it could not continue to fund the various social programs if the District's lawmakers do not change a proposed law that would allow marriage for gays and lesbians.

These are obviously only threats until they are actually put into practice, but these claims certainly prove anti-marriage groups continue to try to go on the offensive in the wake of Maine.

Stay tuned...

New York State Senate adjourns without marriage vote

After more than seven hours, the New York State Senate adjourned its special session without a vote on a bill that would extend marriage to same-sex couples.

It remains unclear as to whether lawmakers will even allow proposed legislation to go to the Senate floor for a vote. Governor David Paterson has said he plans to call for another special legislative session early next week. Legislators could potentially debate marriage on Tuesday, but as with anything in Albany these days, stay tuned...

Marriage vote in NYS Senate appears increasingly unlikely

It appears as though a possible vote in Albany this afternoon on a bill that would extend marriage to same-sex couples continues to grow less likely.

Elizabeth Benjamin of the Daily News reported a source who is involved with negotiations over whether to bring the bill to the floor told her it is unlikely based, in part, because a handful of GOP senators who could have potentially supported the proposed legislation could not face potentially angry constituents.

The National Organization for Marriage evoked former Congressional candidate Dede Scozzafava's failed campaign in a press release yesterday that announced the organization would fund primary challenges--with a $500,000 war chest--against any Republican senator who voted for the bill.

The obvious question remains whether the fallout from the 23rd Congressional District has put the state's GOP lawmakers on notice, but it continues to appear increasingly likely politics could once again derail marriage for same-sex couples in New York State.

New York activists, politicians gear up for possible marriage vote

As the prospects of a marriage vote in the New York State Senate continue to grow more possible, activists and even local politicians continue to urge lawmakers to pass the bill during tomorrow's special legislative session.

City Councilmember Christine Quinn joined hundreds of others who attended a candlelight vigil in Union Square earlier tonight. She later told those gathered at the Anti-Violence Project's Courage Awards at a Midtown hotel she had received assurances from state Sen. Tom Duane the bill's prospects continue to improve.

Meanwhile, Mayor Michael Bloomberg also urged legislators to vote on (and pass) the bill.

"The time has come for the State Senate to have an open debate on this issue--and to hold an up-or-down vote," he wrote in a letter to state Sen. Eric Adams [D-Brooklyn.] "That's democracy. And the citizens of New York deserve to know where our representatives stand on this important issue."

Opponents of marriage for same-sex couples also continue to urge lawmakers to oppose the bill. Brian Brown, executive director of the National Organization for Marriage, evoked former Congressional candidate Dede Scozzafava's failed campaign in his announcement his organization would build what he described as a $500,000 war chest to "fund a primary challenge to any Republican senator who votes for gay marriage."

"There is no Republican Senate district in New York where the majority of people support gay marriage. Maine has made that very clear,” Brown continued. "The GOP should learn from Dede Scozzafava's experience: voting for gay marriage does not pay."

It appears as though the bill does not have enough support to pass if the state Senate actually vote on it, but activists remain adamant and even (publicly) hopeful.

"All eyes are on Albany," Alan Van Capelle, executive director of the Empire State Pride Agenda, said. "With a true vote of conscience, senators can rectify inequality and injustice with a vote tomorrow."

Marriage activists hold vigil in Queens

As the state Senate prepares for a possible vote on a bill that would allow same-sex couples to marry, a group of activists held a vigil outside state Sen. George Onorato's office in Astoria last night to urge him to support the proposed legislation.



It remains to be seen whether lawmakers will actually debate the marriage bill during tomorrow's special legislative session, but one Albany insider told Boy in Bushwick late last week a vote is possible. Elizabeth Benjamin of the Daily News further reported over the weekend Senate Majority Leader Pedro Espada, Jr., who supports marriage for same-sex couples, told her he plans to link the bill to farm workers' rights. A vote would certainly be a significant step forward for activists, but it remains somewhat doubtful the marriage bill has enough support in the state Senate to pass. Stay tuned...

Paterson calls for marriage vote

Governor David Paterson has issued a proclamation that calls for the state Senate to hold a special legislative session on Tuesday to tackle marriage for same-sex couples, the growing budget deficit and other issues.

"There is never a wrong time or inconvenient time to debate human rights legislation because it's always the right time," Alan Van Capelle, executive director of the Empire State Pride Agenda, said in a statement. "As long as a group of New Yorkers are being denied equal rights, addressing issues like marriage equality must always be a priority. Support for providing equal rights to LGBT New Yorkers has always been bipartisan, and we expect that this bill will be no different."

Cathy Marino-Thomas of Marriage Equality New York was more blunt in remarks she delivered at a rally last night in Union Square.

"We need to insist that Albany get off its ass and pass legislation that will protect the families of New York State," she said.

The obvious question remains whether lawmakers will actually vote on the marriage bill--or anything else for that matter. Stay tuned...

Espada to be named Senate Majority Leader

After more than a month of gridlock, the New York State Senate could finally return to business with dissident state Sen. Pedro Espada's return to the party from which he defected.

Albany sources have confirmed media reports Espada will become Senate Majority Leader. This flip will once again give the Democrats a 32-30 majority. And this development could have a positive impact on the future of a bill that would extend marriage for same-sex couples.

One Albany insider told Boy in Bushwick earlier this afternoon Espada would allow the proposed legislation to go before the full Senate for a vote. State Sen. Malcolm Smith [D-Queens] repeatedly maintained he would not bring the bill to the floor unless he had enough votes to secure its passage. Stay tuned...

New York Senate adjourns special session without marriage vote

To almost nobody's surprise, the New York State Senate adjourned its latest special session yesterday without voting on the marriage bill. Governor David Paterson announced the proposed legislation was the first item on an ever-growing list of things on which Senators have failed to vote since the coup took place more than two weeks ago. One question that emerged during yesterday's session, however, was the legality of any approved legislation without the state Assembly in session. One source has indicated a vote is possible early next week, but in the meantime, the mess continues...

On a much happier note, the second issue of the Fire Island News hits the beach later today. The weather has, for those of you not in New York, absolutely dreadful over the last couple of weeks. The meteorologists have promised, however, temperatures in the 80s for the next few days with little threat of rain outside of a stray thunderstorm tomorrow. Praise the Lord!

Attached is a clip of the beach somewhere between Davis Park and Water Island I shot a couple of weeks ago. Let's hope both the government in Albany and the weather improve...

Espada calls for marriage vote in the New York State Senate

As this humble journalist and others across the state continue to try to figure out what the hell happened in Albany on Monday afternoon, the probable new president pro
tempore just announced he supports a vote on the bill that would extend marriage to same-sex couples.

Senator Pedro Espada, Jr., [D-Bronx] made the announcement during a speech before his colleagues on the Senate floor. One of the main concerns that emerged out of Monday's nonsense is legislators would not vote on the marriage bill. Presumptive former Senate Majority Leader Malcolm Smith [D-Queens] had repeatedly maintained he did not have enough votes to secure its passage. It remains unclear as to whether this fact has changed, but Espada's pledge to bring the proposed legislation to the floor almost certainly comes as a relief to anxious activists across the state.

New York State Senate launches web cast

One can almost certainly conclude without a shadow of a doubt there remains a need for long overdue transparency in the partisan morass that is Albany. The political triumvirate of Gov. David Paterson, Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver [D-Manhattan] and Senate Majority Leader Malcolm Smith [D-St. Albans] remains at the helm of what observers routinely describe as the country's most inefficient and dysfunctional state government, but the state Senate's new Web cast will hopefully shed some light onto what actually happens (or doesn't happen) at the state capital.

A source from Smith's office told Boy in Bushwick the 15-minute videos will allow the public "to receive a snapshot of senate-related news--instead of navigating to 62 different member sites." Government transparency? Perhaps, but anything that sheds some light onto how Albany works (or doesn't work) will almost certainly be a good thing for New Yorkers who arguably remain in the dark about how their elected officials advocate (or fail to advocate) on their behalf.


One New York - Update from New York State Senate on Vimeo.


One New York - Update from New York State Senate on Vimeo.