New Hampshire House passes marriage bill

The New Hampshire House of Representatives voted 198-176 today to approve an amended bill that would extend marriage to same-sex couples.

Lawmakers narrowly vetoed the bill late last month after they could not agree upon language contained within it that would have clarified exemptions for religious institutions. Governor John Lynch maintained he would sign the bill only if the proposed legislation specifically spelled out these provisions.

"Today is a victory for all the people of New Hampshire, whom I believe in our independent way, want [fairness] for all," he said before he signed the bill into law. "That is truly the New Hampshire way."

I have repeatedly said I never thought growing-up in Manchester I would see the day Concord lawmakers would extend marriage (or even civil unions for that matter) to gay and lesbian Granite Staters. I am happy legislators in my home state have proven me wrong. Today is a great day for the state of New Hampshire. And lawmakers have once again stayed true to the "Live Free or Die" spirit that remains an integral part of the state's collective consciousness.

Dr. Jill Biden headlines GLSEN awards

Hours after the White House released a proclamation to commemorate LGBT Pride month, Dr. Jill Biden headlined the Gay, Lesbian & Straight Educators Network's annual Respect Awards ceremony at Gotham Hall last night.

She spoke about the anti-LGBT bullying many students in this country continue to face. Biden also reaffirmed what she described as the White House's continued commitment to "ensure every child has a safe school." And she further pointed out the administration had appointed GLSEN founder Kevin Jennings to head the Department of Education's Office of Safe and Drug Free Schools.

"Each child, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity, deserves an education," Biden said.

Biden received a standing ovation from those gathered inside Gotham Hall. GLSEN executive director Dr. Eliza Byard even described the Second Lady as "a true advocate for all American children," but simmering criticisms the White House has not done enough to adequately advocate on behalf of LGBT rights came to the surface.

Mitchell Gold criticized both the President and Vice President for opposing marriage for same-sex couples on religious grounds. His comments generated an enthusiastic applause among many attendees. And the comments clearly highlight the growing angst among a growing number of activists within the LGBT movement over how they feel the administration has failed to adequately address these issues.

An argument can be made the White House must devote its resources to tackle the ongoing recession, an exit strategy in Iraq and a way forward to combat Taliban insurgents in Afghanistan. A converse argument is the administration can do more than issue a Presidential proclamation at the start of LGBT Pride month. The Second Lady's remarks to GLSEN supporters are certainly encouraging, but it is arguable time the administration steps up to the plate and prove it has earned the respect--and most importantly support of the LGBT Americans who helped to vote it into office last November.

Marriage debate continues in New Hampshire

As the movement for LGBT rights continues to begin to implement their strategy in response to the California Supreme Court's decision to uphold Proposition 8, the debate over marriage for same-sex couples continues in New Hampshire.

A state Senate panel earlier this week vetoed a proposed measure that would have brought the issue before Granite State voters. Lawmakers are expected to vote on a marriage bill next week. Gov. John Lynch has said he would sign the proposed legislation if it contained specific language that protects religious institutions.

My mom and more than 50 percent of other New Hampshire voters back the bill. She and I had an interesting conversation last week in which she quite frankly proclaimed her belief that gays and lesbians should marry. Mom added their marriages would have no impact on her marriage to my father. And she had some additional choice words for those in Concord who continue to oppose the bill.

"They are a bunch of old fogies who have nothing better to do," she said.

An astute observation indeed!

Thousands protest Prop 8 in Manhattan

As activists around the country continue to react to the California Supreme Court's decision to uphold Proposition 8, more than 2,000 people took to the streets of lower Manhattan to protest.

City Council Speaker Christine Quinn joined Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer, Rabbi Sharon Kleinbaum of Congregation Beth Simchat Torah and other activists and elected officials.

"What [the] California [Supreme Court] did was wrong," Quinn said. "There is no other way to describe it. It was wrong."

Quinn, who came to the rally in Union Square after lobbying state Senators in Albany to pass the marriage bill their Assembly counterparts endorsed earlier this month, reminded those in attendance there are 24 days left in the current legislative session.

"That's all it will take," she said.



New Yorkers march on 14th Street in Manhattan to protest Prop 8.



Protesters approach Union Square in lower Manhattan.



New Yorkers express solidarity with their gay and lesbian brothers and sisters in California.



Protesters urge their legislators in the state Senate to back marriage for same-sex couples.



This sign perhaps sums up today's Prop 8 decision best.



Protesters in lower Manhattan criticized President Obama for not publicly taking a stand on Prop 8 and marriage for same-sex couples since he entered the White House.

California Supreme Court upholds Prop 8

In a 6-1 decision, the California Supreme Court upheld Proposition 8.

The court, which ruled last May a ban on marriages for same-sex couples violated the state Constitution, ruled the nuptials of 18,000 gay and lesbian couples who married after the justices handed down that decision and before voters approved Prop 8 remain valid.

Thousands of people are expected to march in lower Manhattan tonight to express their disappointment over the decision, and to urge the New York State Senate to pass legislation that would allow gays and lesbians to marry. Pictures and video will be posted later tonight.

Calif. Supreme Court to issue Prop 8 decision today

After months of anticipation, the California Supreme Court is expected to issue its long-awaited decision on the validity of Proposition 8 today.

The court could strike down the voter approved initiative, could rule Prop 8 is valid (along with the marriages of same-sex couples) or the amendment is valid and the marriages of gays and lesbians are invalid. This could prove a watershed moment in the recent history of the movement for LGBT rights. Activists across the country have planned protests, rallies and other actions to mark the decision.

In New York, for example, thousands of people are expected to take to the streets of the West Village this afternoon. The state Assembly passed a marriage bill earlier this month, and marchers will almost certainly send a powerful message to the state Senate to endorse the proposed legislation so Gov. David Paterson can quickly sign it.

Today will certainly be an emotional and/or exciting day depending upon how the court rules. The fight for marriage for same-sex couples is far from over, but today's Prop 8 decision could steer the direction of that battle. Stay tuned!

Calif. Supreme Court to issue Prop 8 decision on Tuesday

Protests, rallies and other events are slated to take place across the country once the decision comes down. Stay tuned...

Marriage bill stalls in New Hampshire House

The prospect of marriage for same-sex couples in New Hampshire stalled yesterday after the House voted 186-188 to send an amended version of the bill back to committee.

Governor John Lynch announced last week he would sign the proposed legislation only if lawmakers added language that specifically protected religious institutions in the state. Lynch's press secretary told the Union Leader the governor would veto the bill if legislators failed to approve the provisions for which he has called.

Republicans, on the other hand, have urged Lynch to veto the bill. Lawmakers could once again debate the proposed amendments as early as next week.

Leather, rain reign supreme on Fire Island

Hundreds of leathermen and a cold rain were among the things that greeted Fire Islanders last weekend.

With one week to go before the all important Memorial Day weekend, people up and down the beach were busy planting flowers, wrapping up home renovations and stocking shelves ahead of the holiday. A persistent fog blanketed Fire Island for most of Saturday. And a cold rain fell for several hours yesterday morning, but this weather did not deter the hundreds of leathermen who descended upon the Ice Palace in Cherry Grove for the 14th annual Mr. Fire Island Leather contest.

The first edition of the Fire Island News comes out on Thursday, and so I won't divulge any of our upcoming stories. That said, here is a picture of the Great South Bay from the ferry to Ocean Beach on late Friday afternoon.

Possible hate crime rocks West Village

With gay pride festivities a little more than a month away, the news a group of teenagers viciously beat a man on Seventh Avenue near Christopher Street early yesterday morning has rocked the West Village.

The Daily News reported four young men blocked Alan Williams, 50, from entering a cab outside of Cafe Riviera on Seventh Avenue around 2 a.m. The men proceeded to viciously beat Williams in the head before they fled. The Daily News and other news outlets have reported Williams, who is an accountant from Buffalo, remains in extremely critical condition at St. Vincent's Hospital.

The New York City Anti-Violence Project has said the New York Police Department's Hate Crimes unit continues to investigate whether the perpetrators attacked Williams because he is gay. His friends have confirmed his sexual orientation to the Daily News. And Williams reportedly had a Gay Men's Health Crisis card in his pocket.

“Any violent assault of this kind is a terrible tragedy," AVP executive director Sharon Stapel said.

This attack comes roughly six months after Hakeem Scott and Keith Phoenix allegedly beat Ecuadorian immigrant Jose Sucuzhanay to death as he and his brother walked home arm and arm from a Bushwick bar. And the vicious attack against Williams is yet another reminder hate and bias-crimes remain a serious problem in the city.

RIP Susan Willis

I awoke this morning to an e-mail from one of my Fire Island columnists that said beloved actress Susan Willis had passed away last night after suffering a stroke.

Born in Ohio, her career spanned more than 50 years. Willis appeared in "Cabaret," "Gypsy," "The Merchant of Venice" and "Fiddler on the Roof." She also appeared in "All My Children" and dozens of other movies.

Willis discussed some of her innumerable roles in an interview with the Fire Island News in 2005.

"I am usually the nosey neighbor who spills the beans and knows where the bodies are," she joked.

Willis summered in the Fire Island Pines and was a beloved resident. And on a personal note, she remains one of the most fascinating and frankly interesting people I have ever interviewed. Rest in peace Sue!

New York State Assembly passes marriage bill

In an 89 to 52 vote, the New York State Assembly passed a bill tonight that would extend marriage to same-sex couples.

The Assembly passed a similar bill in 2007, but a number of Republicans backed the proposed legislation in tonight's vote. Among those was state Assemblywoman Teresa Sayward, who spoke about her gay son.

"The word marriage symbolizes love, commitment and family and why should my son and other sons and daughters around the state of New York have the same opportunity to experience that same commitment, love and family that other heterosexual couples do," she said. "It’s time for us to not only reach in our hearts, and do what we as elected officials in America have done all along and say we will not accept anything, but equal rights."

The bill now goes to the state Senate. It remains unclear as to whether Senate Majority Leader Malcolm Smith [D-St. Albans, Queens] has enough votes in his chamber to pass it.

New York State Assembly slated to pass marriage bill

As the debate over marriage for same-sex couples shifts to the New York, the state Assembly is slated to pass a bill as early as today that would allow nuptials for gays and lesbians.

This expected passage will come as little surprise to those who have followed this issue in New York. The Assembly passed a marriage bill former Gov. Eliot Spitzer introduced in 2007. And the proposed legislation Gov. David Paterson introduced last month is widely expected to pass the Democrat-controlled chamber.

The state Senate remains the wild card. Majority Leader Malcolm Smith [D-St. Albans, Queens] has repeatedly indicated he remains unsure as to whether he has enough votes among his own members to ensure the bill's passage. State Sen. Ruben Diaz, Sr., [D-Bronx] is among those within Smith's party who continue to vehemently oppose marriage for same-sex couples. And no Republicans in the state Senate have publicly endorsed the bill in spite of Minority Leader Dean Skelos [R-Rockville Centre]'s assertion his members can vote their conscience.

The reality under which Albany lawmakers continue to debate this contentious issue has certainly changed since 2007. Connecticut, Maine and Vermont have all moved to extend marriage to same-sex couples, while New Jersey is poised to potentially follow suit by the end of the year. A common analogy among activists is almost every other state (and Canada) that borders the state offer some sort of relationship recognition to same-sex couples, but New York remains the embarrassing doughnut hole in the middle.

Stay tuned...

Fire Island kicks-off 2009 season

With less than two weeks to go until the unofficial start of summer, Fire Islanders have already begun to return to the beach to open their homes, secure last minute shares and to even party among the locals.



Several hundred people packed Low Tea in the Fire Island Pines on Saturday night as the sun set over the Great South Bay. Roughly 100 revelers joined drag queens and others at the Ice Palace's official kick-off party in Cherry Grove. And this blogger had his first walk from Ocean Beach to the Grove--and back--of the season, with hopefully many more.



Below is a video I took from the ferry as it left Ocean Beach earlier this afternoon. It was a beautiful day in spite of the brisk wind that whipped up the bay. Cheers to another season on Fire Island!

Pre-season reflection on Fire Island

This weekend marks the official kick-off of the 2009 season for the Fire Island News, and after a long and tumultuous two weeks, I cannot wait to get out on the beach!

One of the pure joys of the last five years I have lived in New York is the ability to spend my summer on Fire Island reporting and now managing the Fire Island News. The heat waves that bake the five boroughs are far less extreme on the beach, the abundance of diverse and always interesting residents and locals and the seemingly never-ending series of parties, fundraisers and other events are among the innumerable highlights.

I leave for Fire Island early tomorrow morning, but here one of a myriad of pictures that will hopefully typify the summer of 2009.

New Hampshire House passes marriage bill

Hours after Maine Gov. John Baldacci signed a bill that will allow same-sex couples to marry in the Pine Tree State, the New Hampshire House of Representatives approved a measure that would allow nuptials for gays and lesbians in the Granite State.

The House voted 178-167 to approve an amended bill the state Senate approved last week. It remains unclear as to whether Gov. John Lynch will back House Bill 436. He can either sign it, veto the bill or allow it to become law without his signature.

The New Hampshire Freedom to Marry Coalition has produced an ad that urges Lynch to sign HB 436. The governor, who has repeatedly said he feels marriage should remain between a man and a woman, has five days to make a decision.

Today is certainly an exciting day for my home state. I've stated on numerous occasions I never thought I would see the day Concord lawmakers would back legislation that would allow same-sex couples to marry in the state. New Hampshire continues to make significant progress to shed its arguably unfair reputation, and this native Granite Stater is certainly grateful.

And on a final note, I would like to acknowledge my mother in Manchester for calling me earlier this afternoon to let me know HB 436 passed. Thanks Mom!

Maine becomes fifth state to allow marriage for same-sex couples

Governor John Baldacci made Maine the fifth state in the country to extend marriage to same-sex couples.

Baldacci signed the legislation earlier today in Augusta. And activists across the country were quick to praise his decision.

“Just one year ago, a single state allowed same-sex couples to marry," Human Rights Campaign President Joe Solmonese said. "Now, with the historic step taken by Gov. Baldacci and the Maine legislature, five states will provide equal dignity, equal respect, and equal rights under state law for same-sex couples by recognizing their freedom to marry, and we hope more will follow soon.”

[Boy in Bushwick will add more reaction as he receives them,] but Baldacci's decision to sign the bill comes on the heels of the District of Columbia's decision earlier this week to allow marriage for same-sex couples.

Lawmakers in New Hampshire and New York are among those across the country who continue to debate the issue. And couples are scheduled to begin to marry 90 days after the legislative session ends next month.

Boston Globe strikes deal with union

It remains no secret media in this country remains in a state of crisis, but a glimmer of hope came out of Boston earlier this morning with an announcement the paper's largest union struck a deal with its parent company.

The New York Times Co., which owns the Boston Globe, had threatened to close the storied newspaper if its unions did not agree to make $20 million in concessions. The company threatened to give Massachusetts officials 60 days notice of its intent to close the paper in an apparent move to pressure the Boston Newspaper Guild to agree to the concessions.

Three smaller unions had already approved the concessions, and the Guild ratified them after a marathon bargaining session. The parties will disclose the details of the agreement tomorrow, but it appears the Globe will publish another day. This 11th hour deal will almost certainly come as a relief to the Globe's readership and an industry that remains in dire straights.

The UK bans Fred Phelps and daughter

After watching a handful of anti-gay protesters in action at the SundayOUT! Street Festival in Philadelphia this past weekend, perhaps the British government's decision to include the Rev. Fred Phelps and his daughter Shirley on its so-called "least wanted" list amounts to some long overdue poetic justice.

A clear argument can be made the Phelps clan considers any sort of attention the media pays to their protests a success. And an equally convincing argument can be made the Westboro Baptist Church remains one of the movement for LGBT rights' most important assets.

Freedom of speech remains one of this country's founding ideals. It is something to be cherished and celebrated, but the British government's decision to ban Phelps and his daughter from the United Kingdom serves as a powerful reminder this basic human right comes with immense responsibility. And it also proves freedom of speech should not come at the expense of someone else's personal dignity, liberty and even safety.

Lesbian couple from Iowa appears on Oprah

A lesbian couple from Iowa who discussed their pending wedding on Oprah earlier this afternoon put a smile on my face after an admittedly hectic and frankly trying week.

The couple, who have two young daughters, appeared on the talk show. Hugh Jackman was quick to express his support for marriage for same-sex couples, and Nate Barkus specifically discussed his relationship and his coming out as a gay man. The two men further highlighted the fact gays and lesbians began to legally marry in the Hawkeye State on Monday as Gayle King and Jenny McCarthy discussed the news alongside Oprah.

I hope to have a clip of the segment up in a couple of days, but this conversation brought a tumultuous week to a pleasant conclusion.

New Hampshire Senate passes marriage bill

The New Hampshire state Senate narrowly passed a bill this afternoon that would extend marriage to gay and lesbian Granite Staters.

Lawmakers approved House Bill 436 by a 13-11 margin. The state Senate killed a bill that would have added gender identity and expression to New Hampshire's anti-discrimination statutes, but HB 436 returns to the House because the state Senate passed an amended version.

Popular incumbent Gov. John Lynch has stated he supports marriage between a man and a woman. He has failed, however, to indicate whether he plans to veto HB 436 into law. A number of sources have told Boy in Bushwick in recent weeks they suspect Lynch will allow the bill to become law without his signature, but the ball is certainly in his court.

New Hampshire Senate to vote on marriage bill

Less than a week after same-sex couples began to marry in Iowa, lawmakers in New Hampshire are expected to vote on a bill that would allow nuptials for gays and lesbians in the Granite State.

The state Senate Judiciary Committee recommended in a 3-2 vote last Thursday the full Senate defeat the bill. State Sen. Lou D'Allesandro [D-Manchester] is among the Democrats who remain opposed to House Bill 436, and all 12 Republican Senators are expected to vote against the bill.

A University of New Hampshire poll released earlier this week indicates 55 percent of registered voters surveyed support marriage for gays and lesbians. The poll further indicated 63 percent of Independent and 34 percent of Republican voters back nuptials for same-sex couples.

“New Hampshire has a live and let live attitude," Mo Baxley, executive director of the New Hampshire Freedom to Marry Coalition said. "These strong numbers in support of marriage equality are not surprising.

Indeed; a legislative source told Boy in Bushwick last night he expects an extremely close vote today in Concord. Openly gay state Democratic Party Chair Ray Buckley is among those who continue to lobby lawmakers to back HB 436. And another source told Boy in Bushwick she expects Gov. John Lynch, who has previously indicated he feels marriage should remain between a man and a woman, to allow the bill to become law without his signature if it comes to his desk.

Stay tuned...

Specter leaves GOP

Senator Arlen Specter's announcement earlier today he plans to seek re-election as a Democrat is the latest evidence the Republican Party remains in the arguable political wilderness in Washington and in other areas across the country.

Specter, who was one of three Republicans who backed President Obama's economic stimulus package earlier this year, said in a statement he feels the GOP had moved too far to the right.

"I have been a Republican since 1966," he stated. "I have been working extremely hard for the Party, for its candidates and for the ideals of a Republican Party whose tent is big enough to welcome diverse points of view. While I have been comfortable being a Republican, my Party has not defined who I am. I have taken each issue one at a time and have exercised independent judgment to do what I thought was best for Pennsylvania and the nation."

Specter acknowledged his decision to back the stimulus package caused tension within his caucus. And GOP leaders were quick to respond to his defection.

“Senator Specter didn’t leave the G.O.P. based on principles of any kind," Republican Party Chair Michael Steele said as reported in the New York Times. "He left to further his personal political interests because he knew that he was going to lose a Republican primary due to his left-wing voting record. Republicans look forward to beating Senator Specter in 2010, assuming the Democrats don’t do it first.”

Specter's decision is almost certainly an extremely welcome development for Congressional Democrats and the White House itself. The GOP's reputation remains in tatters after last November's election. And Specter's defection will almost certainly contribute to their continued turmoil. Stay tuned!

RIP Bea Arthur

One of my earliest childhood memories is watching the "Golden Girls" on Saturday night with my grandmother in her Quincy, Mass., home. It was part of NBC's prime time line-up and Grandma and I would sit on the couch in her den each week. I found myself laughing at each one liner and Bea Arthur as Dorothy Zbornak, in particular, carried a presence that remains arguably unmatched.

I was deeply saddened to learn Arthur passed away Saturday at her Los Angeles home at age 86. A quick and non-scientific Facebook and Twitter survey found many of my gay and lesbian brothers and sisters felt the same emotions I did. Arthur made her mark in theatre and as Maude Findlay before she appeared in the "Golden Girls" alongside the late Estelle Getty, Betty White and Rue McClanahan.

The show broke ground with its frank discussions of sexuality, homosexuality, HIV/AIDS and other socially taboo subjects during the Reagan era. I watched the "Golden Girls" almost each morning as recently as last summer when I lived on Fire Island, and the show -- and Arthur and the rest of the cast -- still have an endearing place in my heart. Thank you for being a friend Dorothy! Rest in peace!

A personal validation: New Hampshire sheds its conservative reputation

I must say I was quite shocked to learn last Wednesday night students at Manchester Memorial High School, my alma mater, had chosen two lesbians as best couple for the yearbook. And Erica Morin and Shelby Wozmak suddenly provided the latest example of how my home state continues to shed its conservative reputation.

It is no secret I do not like the Queen City. Even as a teenager I wanted to leave my hometown and see what the rest of the world had to offer. That journey continues nearly five years after I moved to New York, but the current debate on marriage for same-sex couples, transgender rights and other progressive issues in Concord is frankly something I could not have even imagined a decade ago as I sat in class at MMHS.

My classmates routinely subjected their fellow gay students to sustained harassment, taunting and even violence in rare cases. I am ashamed to admit my silence simply enabled those who exhibited their homophobic tendencies to continue to do so. I came out in a small town in the Lakes Region after I completed my freshman year at the University of New Hampshire in 2001, but the legacy of those gay students who faced almost daily harassment in the halls of Memorial remains with me to this day.

One can argue I continue to make a difference through my reporting. I am able to share people's stories with my readers. I am also able to chronicle how a specific place, such as New Hampshire, continues to transform itself into an arguably better state in which its residents can live. And Erica and Shelby's story has proven to this cynical reporter his alma mater has begun to do the right thing and accept those who are different.

New York Assembly passes transgender rights bill

The New York State Assembly passed a bill earlier today that would ban discrimination based on gender identity and expression.

First introduced in 2003, the Gender Expression Non-Discrimination Act would prohibit discrimination against transgender New Yorkers in public accommodations, employment, housing and other areas. GENDA passed the Assembly last June by a vote of 108 to 34, but Empire State Pride Agenda executive director Alan Van Capelle was quick to praise today's vote.

"Transgender New Yorkers shouldn’t have to live in fear that they will lose their job, get kicked out of their apartment or be denied service in a restaurant just because of who they are," he said. "The Assembly continues to demonstrate its recognition of these important protections and its place as a leader on civil rights for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender New Yorkers and their families."

New York is among the growing number of states in which lawmakers continue to debate trans-specific legislation. The New Hampshire House of Representatives narrowly passed a bill earlier this month that would add gender identity and expression to the state's non-discrimination statutes. And Massachusetts and Rhode Island legislators have also debated similar bills in recent weeks.

GENDA now goes before the Democrat-controlled state Senate. Governor David Paterson has said he would sign the bill into law.

Back in the 11237

I have finally returned to the 11237 (my neighborhood for those who don't know Brooklyn zip codes) after nearly a week in Massachusetts and New Hampshire, and a lot has happened both here in New York and around the country.

Perhaps most importantly, Gov. David Paterson announced last Thursday he plans to introduce legislation to extend marriage to same-sex couples. New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg and City Council Speaker Christine Quinn were among those who joined the governor at the announcement. It remains unclear as to whether the bill has enough votes--especially in the state Senate--to pass, but state Sen. Ruben Diaz, Sr., (D-Bronx) and even former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani are among those who have spoken out against it...

In other news, lawmakers in New Hampshire heard testimony on Wednesday from proponents and opponents of a bill to extend marriage to gays and lesbians in the state. This proposed legislation, which comes on the heels of the passage of a bill that would add gender identity and expression to the state's anti-discrimination laws, is the latest indication my home state continues to grow more and more progressive. This is arguably something of which every Granite Stater can be proud...

A disturbing story to emerge from Boston and Rhode Island late last week is the so-called Craigslist killer who killed a woman in a Back Bay hotel and attempted to rob two others. The details of this story are almost certainly tailor made for the Post and other tabloids, but this killer has certainly succeeded in generating perhaps unwanted attention for those who advertise their services on the popular site and the people who utilize them...

This week promises more of the same, so stay tuned!

Paterson introduces marriage bill

Less than two weeks after Vermont lawmakers secured marriage for same-sex couples, New York Gov. David Paterson has introduced legislation that would allow gay and lesbian New Yorkers to marry.

New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg joined Paterson, lawmakers and activists at today's announcement.

"Marriage equality is about basic civil rights and personal freedom," Paterson said. "Too many individuals face legal discrimination every single day. Too many loving families do not receive the legal recognition they deserve. Anyone who has ever faced intolerance of any kind knows the solemn importance of protecting the rights of all people. That is why we stand together today to embrace civil rights for every New Yorker. We stand together today for marriage equality in the State of New York."

Former Gov. Eliot Spitzer introduced an identical bill in 2007. The state Assembly passed it while then-Senate Majority Leader Joseph Bruno [R-Saratoga Springs] blocked it in the state Senate.

Paterson issued an executive order last May that mandated state agencies to recognize the marriages of same-sex couples who were legally performed in other jurisdictions. Activists in New York were quick to applaud the governor after today's announcement.

"We very much appreciate Governor Paterson introducing a marriage equality program bill into the legislature and continuing the momentum that has been growing on this important issue over the past several weeks," Empire State Pride Agenda executive director Alan Van Capelle said in a statement. "For a long time the governor has been a vocal advocate for passing legislation that would provide same-sex couples and our families the 1,324 rights and responsibilities that come with a New York State marriage license.

Human Rights Campaign President Joe Solmonese agreed.

"The introduction of marriage equality legislation is a strong statement by Governor Paterson and we applaud him for standing today in support of all loving and committed couples throughout New York," he said.

It remains unclear whether the bill has enough votes in the legislature, but some observers have noted Paterson's decision to introduce it is a political gamble. Others, such as state Sen. Ruben Diaz, Sr., have vowed to fight it.

My day in New Hampshire

It was a good old gay time today at the University of New Hampshire in Durham as students, faculty, staff and even some alumni ate pancakes and received a healthy dose of inspiration and activism.

UNH's annual Pancake Breakfast pays tribute to a group of gay students who placed a $2,000 bid in a 1974 auction to have breakfast with then-Gov. Meldrim Thomson, Jr. Thomson once threatened to block UNH's funding after members of the Gay Students Organization held a dance and performed a play on the Durham campus, but he would almost certainly not recognize the Granite State and its increasingly progressive reputation today.

Hundreds of people gathered in Concord today to attend the state Senate Judiciary Committee's hearings on a bill that would extend marriage to same-sex couples. Openly gay Bishop V. Gene Robinson was among those who testified in support of the proposed legislation.

The House of Representatives narrowly passed a bill late last month that would add gender identity and expression to the state's non-discrimination statutes. And lawmakers have begun to debate the possible repeal of the death penalty. Times have certainly changed in my native New Hampshire!

On a much different note, the weather has been simply gorgeous since I arrived yesterday afternoon. And I spent a couple of hours along the Seacoast this afternoon. I drove from Portsmouth to Hampton Beach along the oceanfront Route 1A. The drive is roughly 20 miles and passes along rocky coves, tide pools and sandy beaches with sweeping vistas of the Isles of Shoals and even parts of Cape Ann in Massachusetts. Here are a handful of pictures...



A cemetery in New Castle



Along Route 1A near Odiorne Point in Rye



Wallis Sands in Rye



Wallis Sands jetty



Hampton Beach

Marriage debate continues in New Hampshire

As I pack for my trip to New Hampshire tomorrow, lawmakers in Concord continue to debate a bill that would extend marriage to same-sex couples.

The state Senate is scheduled to hear testimony from House Bill 436 supporters and opponents on Wednesday. A group of HB 436 supporters from the University of New Hampshire-Durham are among those expected to attend the hearing.

Governor John Lynch signed the state's civil union bill into law in 2007. It remains unclear as to whether he would sign HB 436 if it came across his desk, but New Hampshire would become the fourth state in the country to allow same-sex couples to marry.

Activists in the Granite State and across the country will certainly keep a close eye on Concord on Wednesday. Vermont lawmakers last week successfully overrode Gov. Jim Douglas' veto of a bill that allows same-sex couples to marry. And gays and lesbians can begin to get married in Iowa later this month.

New Hampshire is certainly the latest in a growing number of battleground states in the push to secure marriage for same-sex couples. And as a native Granite Stater, I find it nothing short of remarkable Concord lawmakers even debated--and let alone passed--HB 436. Progress continues to take the state in a new and arguably very exciting direction...

A Good Friday reflection

As Christians and Jews around the world continue to commemorate Holy Week and Passover, the events of the last few months certainly provide a lot of opportunity for reflection. The Italian earthquake, the string of mass murders across the United States, the ongoing global economic crisis and the Israeli offensive against Hamas in Gaza in January are among the innumerable things that have shaped our world since the new year.

This time of year symbolizes rebirth and renewal. The winter-weary have (hopefully) begun to pack their jackets and scarves away. Daffodils and tulips have begun to bloom. And images of packed beaches and pools are only a few weeks away... yes spring and especially the next couple of weeks represent an annual renaissance, but let's remember the last few months have proven more than ever that everyone has a responsibility to show compassion and love towards their fellow man or woman. This value is not a Christian or Jewish value, but rather a human value that remains woefully lacking in the world in which we all live.

White House announces new HIV/AIDS initiative

As HIV/AIDS service providers continue to struggle to curb the epidemic among people of color and other disproportionately affected groups, the White House's announcement of a new initiative that seeks to raise awareness of the disease is almost certainly a welcome development.

Officials with the Obama administration joined representatives from the Centers for Disease Control, the Department of Health and Human Services and leading civil rights and civic organizations at a press conference on Tuesday in Washington to announce the Act Against AIDS campaign. EDGE has details of the initiative, but it is a safe bet the vast majority of HIV/AIDS service providers welcome it after eight years of arguable inaction to tackle the domestic epidemic.

Vermont lawmakers extend marriage to same-sex couples

The Vermont legislature voted earlier this morning to extend marriage to same-sex couples.

The state Senate voted 23-5 and the House voted 100-49 in support of the bill. Governor Jim Douglas had vetoed the legislation, but lawmakers were able to override it.

“The struggle for equal rights is never easy," Senate President Pro Tem Peter Shumlin said. “Today we have overridden the Governor's veto. I have never felt more proud of Vermont as we become the first state in the country to enact marriage equality not as the result of a court order, but because it is the right thing to do.”

Human Rights Campaign President Joe Solmonese was quick to praise the vote.

“This historic vote in the Vermont legislature reminds us of the incredible progress being made toward equality," he said in a statement. "Less than five years ago, lesbian and gay couples began marrying in Massachusetts. Now, with the Iowa court decision last Friday and today’s vote in Vermont, there will be four states recognizing the right to marry for loving, committed lesbian and gay couples.”

Boy in Bushwick goes on the BBC's World Have Your Say

As video of the teenager who was flogged by the Taliban in Northwest Pakistan continues to circulate around the world, the British Broadcasting Corporation's daily program "World Have Your Say" focused on whether organized religion remains an obstacle to gender equality.

I was among the commentators and guests who appeared on today's program. And I argued organized religion provides a convenient excuse for those who oppress women, gays and lesbians and other groups to continue to discriminate against them. Here is the clip.

Cherry Grove and the Fire Island Pines

The unofficial start of summer remains roughly two months away, but a few intrepid Fire Islanders have already begun to find their way back to the beach after a long and cold winter. I spent most of the day in Cherry Grove and the Fire Island Pines. The dreaded spring sea breeze did not kick in until late in the afternoon, Island Breeze in the Grove was open for burgers and cocktails, the replenished beach is broad and I even have a bit more color on my face courtesy of the strong April sun. A great day indeed!



Leaving Sayville



Approaching Cherry Grove



Fire Island Pines



Fire Island Pines



Reeds near Fire Island Boulevard and Seaview Walk (Pines)



Approaching Heaven n' Earth in Cherry Grove



Bayview Walk (Grove)



Some locals at Island Breeze (Grove)



The Belvidere



Snow fencing in the Grove



Honey at Island Breeze



The ocean from the end of Greene Walk in the Grove

An afternoon stroll down Knickerbocker Avenue

One of the many goals of this blog is to provide its readers with a sense of daily live in the Bushwick section of Brooklyn. And on that thread, here is a video I took earlier today as I walked down Knickerbocker Avenue.

Iowa extends marriage to same-sex couples

In an unanimous decision, the Iowa Supreme Court upheld the right for gays and lesbians to marry in the Hawkeye State.

The judges upheld a lower court's decision that would have allowed six same-sex couples to marry. Polk County District Judge Robert Hanson ruled in favor of the couples last year, but he suspended his decision until the state Supreme Court issued its decision.

Des Moines resident Sandi Patton-Imani praised the decision in a statement released through the Family Equality Council.

“Our family is celebrating with great joy at finally being granted full civil rights by the state we live in," she said.

This ruling, which takes effect on April 21, will almost certainly be a watershed moment for activists within the movement for LGBT rights continue to push for marriage for same-sex couples in other states. The Vermont House of Representatives passed a marriage bill last night. And lawmakers in New Hampshire and other states continue to debate the issue.

Make the Road New York to host hate crime forum in Bushwick

This forum comes nearly four months after two men allegedly beat Ecuadorian immigrant José Sucuzhañay to death on a Bushwick street corner. The New York Police Department arrested and charged Keith Phoenix and Hakim Scott in February in connection with Sucuzhañay's death. Both men remain in custody.

Gay activists seek rights in the Middle East

This week has been full of Web site updating, deadlines and pitches, but one of the things I have covered over the last few days is the push to secure rights for LGBT people in the Middle East.

The International Gay & Lesbian Human Rights Commission honored Helem, an LGBT rights organization based in the Middle East, at a ceremony at New York University on Monday. And Helem member Georges Azzi, who accepted the award on behalf of his organization, was among those who were on a panel to discuss LGBT rights in the Arab Middle East at the LGBT Community Center in lower Manhattan.

I just posted a story onto EDGE, but the thing to take away from the Middle East is it contains within it a variety of cultures, religiosity and societies. And levels of tolerance and acceptance of homosexuality are simply a manifestation of this complex tapestry that comprises the region. The situation on the ground is almost certainly much different than the nightly news may indicate. And Helem and Azzi and other activists who work within the region are truly making a difference in the lives of their LGBT brothers and sisters.

A day down the Shore

A steady stream of middle aged gamblers, smoky casino floors and a heavy mist that was certainly not conducive for a good hair day were among the many things I found on my trip to Atlantic City yesterday. I had never been to the beach side resort that has obviously seen better days, but it was truly wonderful to leave the city for at least a few hours.

I did not win the jackpot I had envisioned in my head. I did not meet lady luck. And I certainly (and fortunately) did not lose my shirt or anything else for that matter. I did, however, enjoy some good salt water taffy and breathe in some good ocean air for the first time in months. I honestly feel a bit recharged after turning off my cell phone and logging off my computer and those all too addictive social networking sites..., but now it's back to the grind.

Below is a video of the late March weather that did a number on my hair.

New Hampshire House passes marriage bill

I'm on multiple deadlines this afternoon, but one quick and exciting news that came into my inbox earlier today is the New Hampshire House passed a bill that would extend marriage to same-sex couples.

Legislators voted 186-179 to send the proposed legislation to the state Senate. Same-sex couples have been able to enter into civil unions since Jan. 2008, but it remains unclear as to whether Gov. John Lynch would sign the bill if it were to cross his desk.

Vermont Gov. Jim Douglas has said he plans to veto a bill to extend marriage to same-sex couples Montpelier lawmakers passed earlier this week. Lawmakers in Hawai'i and Maine are among those who have recently debated marriage for same-sex couples. And activists across the country continue to wait for the California Supreme Court to rule in the case that seeks to overturn Proposition 8.

Stay tuned...

Teen reportedly confesses to murder of ABC newsman

A teenager has reportedly confessed to murdering a popular radio newsman inside his Carroll Gardens apartment earlier this week.

The New York Daily News and other media outlets reported the 16-year-old boy confessed he murdered ABC News Radio anchor George Weber after the newsman reportedly placed an advertisement for rough sex on Craigslist. The teen reportedly stabbed Weber and attempted to cover up the crime.

Police found Weber dead inside his brownstone on Sunday. His ankles were bound with duct tape.

Weber's murder has stunned journalists and those who had known him or had listened to him on the radio over the years. His untimely death comes roughly two and a half years after four Brooklyn men lured Michael Sandy to a secluded beach along the Belt Parkway in Brooklyn to rob him. A car struck and killed him as he attempted to flee.

The teen who allegedly murdered Weber remains in NYPD custody.

Schumer backs marriage, repeal of DOMA

The news U.S. Sen. Chuck Schumer endorsed marriage for same-sex couples at a dinner organized by Empire State Pride Agenda executive director Alan Van Capelle and former ESPA co-chair Jeff Soref last night in Manhattan has spread like wildfire since New York Daily News reporter Liz Benjamin broke the story on her blog.

New York City Council Speaker Christine Quinn and Assemblymembers Danny O'Donnell, Deborah Glick and Micah Kellner were among those who dined with Schumer at the Gramercy Tavern. Schumer's office told the Daily News in a statement "it's time" to support gays and lesbians as they seek the right to marry.

"Equality is something that has always been a hallmark of America and no group should be deprived of it. New York, which has always been at the forefront on issues of equality, is appropriately poised to take a lead on this issue," it said in a statement.

Schumer further indicated he would back a full repeal of the Defense of Marriage Act for which he voted in 1996. This dinner may very well amount to a watershed moment both for LGBT politics in New York and around the country.

A Sunday afternoon in Bushwick

It's a blissfully quiet Sunday afternoon here in Bushwick after a long and turbulent week. Spring officially sprang on Friday and children, their parents, skateboarders and others filled Maria Hernandez Park this afternoon as I walked home from the bank and other errands.

Attached is a video and other pictures to provide a sense of a typical Sunday afternoon in the neighborhood.





The relatively new bodega on Jefferson Street




A boarded up market on Flushing Avenue near the Life Café




A poster on Myrtle Avenue in support of Dominican President Leonel Fernández's re-election campaign last spring.




A new bus shelter near DeKalb and Wilson Avenues




Spring has sprung in Maria Hernandez Park




The Empire State Building from Irving Avenue between Jefferson and Troutman Streets

Pope Benedict claims condom use spreads HIV/AIDS

As a former Roman Catholic who left the faith nearly a decade ago, it remains extremely difficult for me to take almost anything Pope Benedict XVI says seriously. And his assertion the use of condoms actually facilitates the spread of HIV and AIDS simply borders on the ridiculous.

Benedict made his assertion as he flew to Cameroon in West Africa. Bloggers and HIV/AIDS service organizations around the world almost immediately (and rather predictably) railed against the Pope's comments. One can easily conclude they are based upon dogmatic teachings that are increasingly out-of-touch with the challenges of the modern world. And this reality includes the continued need to use practical and scientifically-proven methods to combat an epidemic that continues to inflict a far too heavy toll.

The last line in today's New York Times' editorial that examines the impact of Benedict's comments is perhaps summarizes the situation best. It reads it "seems irresponsible to blame condoms for making the epidemic worse." Indeed.

St. Patrick's Day 2009

As the majority of New York prepares to celebrate St. Patrick's Day, a phone call from the man with whom I recently broke-up and a text message from my friend Adam in Boston have certainly put me into the Irish mood (of sorts) on this bright and sunny March 17.

I will almost certainly remain at my desk for most of today, but a myriad of Irish eyes will certainly shine upon New York today. New York City Council Speaker Christine Quinn will attend a reception in honor of Irish Prime Minister Brian Cowen tonight in Washington. The Irish Queers will hold their annual protest at the city's St. Patrick's Day parade on Fifth Avenue to draw attention to the Ancient Order of Hibernians' long-standing policy to exclude LGBT marchers from the defile. And countless others will patronize Irish pubs and other establishments as they revel in their Irish heritage (or at least pretend they hail from the Emerald Isle.)

A faltering economy and the murder of a policeman and two soldiers at the hands of a splinter group of Irish Republican Army dissidents earlier this month are among the concerns Irish and Northern Irish continue to confront, but St. Patrick's Day remains the one (albeit kitschy) time people across the world can pay tribute and honor this great island, it's people and its culture.

Boys (and Girls) of Brooklyn

Yes mom, there are indeed LGBT people who live, work and play in Brooklyn!

I simply could not resist the above lede for today's blog posting, but in all seriousness there are a lot of LGBT Brooklynites who live, work and play in Kings County. The BK has been my home for nearly five years, and I honestly cannot imagine living anywhere else at this time in my life.

My spontaneous love for Brooklyn stems from a really good meeting I had earlier today with the inspiration behind OutAboutBrooklyn, a new blog that hopes to let boys and girls who live in the borough know about LGBT-owned and operated bars, clubs and other businesses and those that are friendly to our pink brothers and sisters. The site, which went live last month, also seeks to connect LGBT Brooklynites to each other without crossing the East River into the city.

The 718 (or at least the portion of the area code that comprises Kings County) remains one of the city's most attractive and diverse boroughs in which to live and play. And there is certainly much more in the borough than Williamsburg hipsters, Park Slope lesbians and Ikea in Red Hook... and OutAboutBrooklyn may emerge as one of the places at which LGBT New Yorkers, their friends and others can discover why Brooklynites arguably love their beloved borough...

West Village arrests underscore long-standing tensions between residents, LGBT youth

As the weather continues to grow warmer, more LGBT youth will certainly descend upon the Christopher Street Pier and the adjacent West Village. This seasonal influx, however, leaves some local residents concerned as they continue to contend with what they say is an increase in crime, vandalism and other things they maintain diminish their quality of life.

The arrest of two transgender teenagers earlier this month in connection with a string of purse snatchings and credit card thefts outside an exclusive apartment building on the corner of Christopher and Greenwich Streets only heightens these concerns as I reported in EDGE New York yesterday. Fabulous Independent Educated Radicals for Community Empowerment (FIERCE) continues to call for a 24-hour LGBT center on Pier 40, but some of the young people with whom I spoke on the pier last Saturday conceded some of their friends do indeed cause unnecessary problems for local residents.

This story will certainly continue to unfold as it has done for years, but attached is the link to the article I posted.

Spain marks anniversary of Madrid train bombings

Family members of the 191 people killed in the Madrid train bombings placed flowers, wreaths and other tributes to mark the fifth anniversary of the attacks.

Prime Minister José Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, whose party came to power three days after the March 11, 2004, bombings, led a moment of silence inside Parliament.

Ten bombs that had been hidden in backpacks exploded within minutes on four crowded commuter trains that had been en route to Madrid during the morning rush hour. Then outgoing Prime Minister José María Aznar initially blamed the Basque separatist group ETA, but a Spanish judge later indicted more than two dozen men of Middle Eastern and North African descent.

The attacks, which injured 1,800 people, remain Europe's most deadly act of terrorism. And 11-M also carries a personal connection.

I was in Spain less than a week after the attacks to visit friends whom I had met in Granada the previous year. The country was clearly in mourning as the continued broadcast of memorials and other commemorations on Spanish television--and even on the Madrid subway--indicated. Some of my friends initially expressed concern over people of Arab and Middle Eastern descent who lived in the country, but I found time and time again the Spanish people refused to allow these atrocities to prevent them from living their lives... and for my friends and I this defiance meant a beautiful weekend partying beneath the Alhambra in Granada and relaxing in the countryside.



A sea of red candles paid tribute to the victims of the bombings inside Atocha station in the heart of Madrid [March 23, 2004 - photo by Michael K. Lavers]

A lesson my insightful father has always instilled in me is a terrorist's most effective weapon is fear. And the best way to counter their intentions is to remain defiant of it.

New Yorkers demand justice for gay couple murdered in Spain

Photo courtesy of Andrés Duque

Roughly two dozen people gathered outside the Spanish consulate in Manhattan on Saturday to protest the acquittal of a man who confessed he stabbed a gay couple to death inside their apartment before he set it on fire.

Jacobo Piñeiro Rial stabbed Isaac Ali Dani Peréz Triviño, 27, and his boyfriend Julio Anderson Luciano, 32, to death inside their apartment in the Galician city of Vigo on Jan. 13, 2006. Blog and media reports Rial stabbed the couple 57 times before he took a shower, threw clothes on the floor and eventually lit the apartment on fire to cover up the crime.

Rial reportedly confessed to a bartender he murdered the two men after a television station broadcast a bulletin about the murder and fire. Police arrested him two days later.

Rial's lawyer told a Galician jury his client merely defended himself after Luciano threatened him with a knife after he refused to have sex with him. Rial's counsel further argued Triviñio also threatened his client with a knife. And he also contended a two-day alcohol and cocaine binge had impaired Rial's judgment.

The jury convicted Rial for setting fire to the couple's apartment. He faces up to 20 years in prison, but Triviñio's mother, who lived with her son and Luciano, described the verdict as "homophobic, racist and brainless."

The Manhattan demonstration coincided with several that took place in Spain in response to Rial's acquittal. More than 1,000 people took to the streets of Vigo on Saturday to express their outrage over the jury's decision. Similar protests also took place in Barcelona, the Basque Country and Madrid.

A pre-spring tease titillates NYC

Aside from drinking way too much at a friend's birthday party on Saturday night, this weekend (and especially its pre-spring tease) was certainly an enjoyable one.

The deepening recession, a steady stream of colds and of course the cold weather have made this winter particularly tough, but the 70 degree weather that graced the city on Saturday was a welcome sign spring is nearly here. I spent the afternoon at the Christopher Street Pier working on a story on the continued tension between LGBT youth who traditionally hang out there and people who live in the adjacent West Village. I did take some time, however, to simply stroll along the pier and even work on my tan a bit along with hundreds of other New Yorkers who certainly had the same idea.

The city literally comes alive on the first warm day of the season and people can finally leave their coats and scarves at home. I spent Friday afternoon in the Meatpacking District and Chelsea and people seemed almost gleeful when the sun poked through the clouds. The birds appeared to chirp even louder. New Yorkers dined al fresco. And I even bought myself flowers at a corner store on Eighth Avenue. What a pre-spring weekend it was!

Gay resorts remain cautiously optimistic in spite of recession

As the California Supreme Court hears oral arguments today in the lawsuit that challenges Proposition 8's passage last November and the snow from this week's storm begins to melt, my thoughts have frankly begun to turn to another summer on Fire Island. The beach and other gay resorts across the country will almost certainly continue to feel the effects of the deepening recession, but officials in these communities expressed cautious optimism they will have a profitable summer in spite of the economic crisis.

Attached is the article for EDGE New York that interviews Fire Island business owners and realtors. An EDGE New England article focuses on Provincetown and a second story posted on both EDGE Philadelphia and EDGE Washington examines the situation in Rehoboth Beach.


Fire Island officials remain optimistic in spite of recession
EDGE New York/EDGE Fire Island
March 5, 2009
www.edgenewyork.com/index.php?ch=news&sc=&sc2=features&sc3=&id=88026

As the deepening recession continues to exert an ever-steep toll across the country, Fire Island business and property owners remain optimistic they will have a profitable summer.

Cherry Grove Property Owners Association president Larry Lane said he expects Long Islanders and others from New York and nearby suburbs will find Fire Island an attractive place to day-trip or vacation as they continue to spend less money.

"You’ve got a place that’s 20 minutes from Long Island that you feel you’ve traveled hours to an exotic island," he said.

Lane further noted local real estate brokers have already reported brisk business. Fire Island Pines realtor Jon Wilner told EDGE in a recent interview his rentals are already higher than last season. He added he feels optimistic people will continue to visit the tony hamlet in spite of the ever-ominous economic outlook.

"It’s a gay environment," Wilner said. "It’s a very different kind of community."

Adam Weaver, marketing director for Fire Island Pines Operations, which operates the Pavilion and the majority of other businesses around the harbor, echoed Lane who stressed the beach’s proximity to New York will continue to draw visitors.

"For us, it’s the same price to come out because [people] take the train out; they know how much they will spend," he said.

A survey conducted by the San Francisco-based Community Marketing, Inc., last September found only 31 percent of respondents decreased their overall travel. Boston, New York, Philadelphia, Provincetown and Washington were also among the top 20 travel destinations for LGBT travelers.

Community Marketing senior projects director David Paisley said he feels Fire Island and other gay resort destinations in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic should fare better than Hawai’i, New Orleans and other geographically isolated destinations because of their proximity to cities along the I-95 corridor. He further argued local officials should focus their advertising and outreach budgets in those markets and capitalize upon those travelers who may want to vacation closer to home this summer than in previous years.

"The key for these destinations is local outreach," he said. "They have millions of millions of customers who are a car or train ride away."

Pink Banana Media president Matt Skallerud added he feels local businesses should turn to the Internet-and in particular Facebook, Twitter and other social networking Web sites and blogs, to draw potential customers and patrons into their establishments. He said he feels the recession has made these new marketing techniques more attractive as companies continue to cut their advertising budgets.

"You can blog about a new restaurant opening and events and integrate that with photos," Skallerud said. "You’re finding destinations that do that are keeping in the forefront of people’s minds."

FIPO will use both Facebook and Twitter this summer to let users know who is spinning at their bars and clubs and parties and other information. Weaver added DJ Tony Moran is among those already scheduled to spin on the beach this summer.

"We’re not cutting back on our entertainment," Weaver said. "We’re going to throw the same parties we always throw. We’re ready for the boys to come. I think it will be a fun summer."

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.

A March snow falls in Brooklyn

The calendar may indicate spring is less than three weeks away, but the roughly 10 inches of snow that blanketed Brooklyn yesterday seems to indicate otherwise. Snow is an unfortunate part of life in my native New Hampshire, but that reality doesn't necessarily mean I have to like the white stuff so late in the season... and perhaps us New Yorkers are simply a bunch of wimps.

At any rate, here are some pictures of the storm's aftermath I took late yesterday afternoon around my neighborhood.

Suspect in beating death of Ecuadorian immigrant claims self-defense

I've been away from the blog for a few days, but the latest revelation to emerge in the beating death of Ecuadorian immigrant José Sucuzhañay in Bushwick last December is one of the two suspects arrested in connection with the crime has claimed self-defense.

New York Police Department officers arrested Keith Phoenix in Yonkers less than two days after they took Hakim Scott into custody, but Phoenix reportedly told detectives he acted in self-defense after he claimed Sucuzhañay and his brother provoked a fight as they walked home from a nearby bar.

Phoenix's lawyer, Jay H. Schwitzman, told reporters outside Brooklyn Criminal Court yesterday his client went to break-up a fight between Scott and Sucuzhañay after one of the brothers kicked the door of Phoenix's SUV. Schwitzman also denied Sucuzhañay's death is an anti-gay hate crime.

Phoenix and Scott allegedly used anti-gay and anti-Latino slurs as they beat Sucuzhañay with a baseball bat and bottles as he and his brother Romel walked arm-in-arm near the corner of Bushwick Avenue and Kossuth Place on Dec. 7. Sucuzhañay died in a Queens hospital five days later, and his death sparked widespread outrage across New York.

An NYPD spokesperson categorically denied Phoenix's claims. Both Phoenix and Scott face a charge of second degree murder as a hate crime.