LGBT organizations weigh in on Spitzer

With New York appearing to take a collective sigh of relief over Gov. Eliot Spitzer's resignation earlier today, LGBT organizations have echoed many in the state in expressing their optimism to work with incoming Gov. David Paterson.

Empire State Pride Agenda executive director Alan Van Capelle praised the former state Senator's record on LGBT rights as he pointed out Paterson's support of hate crimes legislation and the Sexual Orientation Non-Discrimination Act of 2002.

"David Paterson’s leadership is a story of commitment to civil liberties and human rights," Van Capelle said in a statement posted on the Pride Agenda's Web site. "He believes in equality and justice for all New Yorkers and has demonstrated this time and time again—in both words and actions."

Matt Foreman, executive director of the National Gay & Lesbian Task Force, agreed.

"We know we can count on him to continue his decades-long commitment to winning full equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender New Yorkers," he said.

Paterson supports marriage for same-sex couples at a time when activists across the state have looked to a Democratic take-over of the Republican controlled state Senate in November in hopes of securing passage of a marriage bill next year. It remains to be seen whether this effort will succeed, but it appears as though LGBT activists have followed the apparent lead of state Democrats in their efforts to quickly move forward from this tumultuous period. In many ways, it appears as though they want Spitzer to become an after thought with upcoming local, statewide and national elections. He became a significant distraction in the coming days (and arguably since he took office in January 2007), and partisans (and arguably some LGBT activists in New York and around the country) are quietly happy to see him go.

The saga will continue to evolve, but the collective consensus is arguably to begin to move forward. Stay tuned...

Spitzer resigns

A stunning and utterly sad fall from grace has come to pass.

Spitzer saga continues to unravel

The politically charged scandal surrounding expected soon-to-be former New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer continues to unravel around him as an estimated 70 percent of New Yorkers want him to step down. A very convincing argument can be made for the former Attorney General's resignation -- his patronization of the Emperor VIP Club and his vigorous prosecution of alleged prostitution rings proves him a hypocrite unworthy of the public's trust.

LGBT activists across the state rejoiced last April after Spitzer introduced a bill to extend marriage to same-sex couples. The Empire State Pride Agenda briefly mentioned the scandal and an article Advocate news editor Kerry Eleveld wrote about Lieutenant Gov. David Paterson's pro-LGBT record on its blog this morning. And blogger Andres Duque discussed the bill's future on his blog yesterday, but arguably the most telling sign Spitzer is politically doomed is the fact Democrats have not publicly rallied to his defense since the scandal broke in the New York Times on Monday.

A colleague told this writer Monday night the scandal is akin to watching a Greek tragedy slowly unroll. Indeed!

Spitzer linked to prostitution ring

Today's revelation that New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer is linked to a prostitution ring is truly a shock to this writer and to millions of other New Yorkers who are only now beginning to hear of the stunning news. And I strongly suspect LGBT activists across the state are simply mortified over these developments.

Spitzer became the first governor in the country to introduce a bill to extend marriage to same-sex couples last April. The Republican-controlled state Senate ultimately blocked it, but Spitzer kept a promise he made during his 2006 gubernatorial campaign. And he also gave the keynote address at the Empire State Pride Agenda's 2006 fall dinner in Manhattan.

The former attorney general has certainly had a rocky gubernatorial tenure to this point -- repeated clashes with Senate Majority Leader Joseph Bruno [R-Saratoga Springs and even some fellow Democrats, Troopergate, drivers licenses for undocumented immigrants to name a few. This announcement could potentially impact the future of Democratic attempts to reclaim control of the Senate and even the future of marriage for same-sex couples in New York.

LGBT activists will almost certainly join with other New Yorkers as they hold their collective breaths and wait for the potential second show to drop. Stay tuned!

Zapatero wins re-election in Spanish election

As an American who studied abroad in Spain in 2003, I remain keenly interested in Peninsular politics and the events that so often shape them. The re-election of Socialist Prime Minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero yesterday is certainly among them.

Spanish voters first elected Zapatero on March 14, 2004 -- three days after terrorists detonated a series of bombs on Madrid-bound commuter trains that killed 191 people. Many expressed outrage over former Prime Minister José María Aznar's initial assertion the Basque separatist group ETA was behind the attacks, while others blasted him for his support of the war in Iraq. These two factors were key in Zapatero's victory.

Fast forward to 2008: the Socialists have spearheaded a very progressive agenda that includes the legalization of marriage and adoption for same-sex couples in 2005. Immigration and economic stagnation are among the issues that continue to concern many Spanish voters, but Zapatero and his party have arguably transformed Spain into one of the world's most progressive countries -- at least in terms of LGBT rights. This record stands for itself.

LGBT Clinton supporters stand by their woman

Former President Bill Clinton famously described himself as the Comeback Kid after a stronger than expected showing in the 1992 New Hampshire primary. His wife, New York Sen. Hillary Clinton, appears to have carried the torch as she proved the media and pundits wrong with her victories in the Ohio, Rhode Island and Texas primaries this week. Her supporters in New York were obviously elated as my article in EDGE New York proves. The main lesson to learn from this past week, however, remains the fact that the campaign on the Democratic side is far from over. Stay tuned!

As New York Sen. Hillary Clinton and Illinois Sen. Barack Obama continue to battle it out on the campaign trail, LGBT New Yorkers who back the former First Lady could barely contain their excitement over her victories in the Ohio, Rhode Island and Texas primaries on Tuesday.

Dirk McCall, an activist in Astoria, Queens, described Clinton’s victory as ’wonderful.’ And he added he feels it provided added momentum for her campaign going into the Pennsylvania primary on April 22 and the Democratic National Convention in Denver this summer.

"She’s definitely making her case to the American people," McCall said.

Jeff Campagna, a member of Clinton’s LGBT Steering Committee, agreed.

"There is tremendous momentum," he said.

Jon Winkleman, a gay Clinton supporter from Woodside, Queens, handed out buttons for Clinton at gay bars in his native Rhode Island ahead of Tuesday’s vote. He also campaigned for the former First Lady in Iowa and New Hampshire ahead of their respective caucuses and primary in January. Winkleman added he had little doubt Clinton would do well.

"I’m excited, but I was really confident it was going to happen," he said.

Clinton has received widespread LGBT support in New York since she announced her candidacy in Jan. 2007. New York City Council Speaker Christine Quinn, state Sen. Tom Duane [D-Chelsea], state Assemblymembers Deborah Glick [D-Greenwich Village], Daniel O’Donnell [D-Upper West Side] and Matthew Titone [D-Staten Island], New York Trans Rights Organization director Melissa Sklarz, long-time gay activist Ethan Geto and Tonio Burgos of the Democratic National Committee’s LGBT caucus are among those who serve on Clinton’s LGBT Steering Committee. And nearly 1,000 people attended a Clinton fundraiser at the Hiro Ballroom at the Maritime Hotel in Manhattan on Jan. 25.

The Stonewall Democratic Club of New York has also endorsed the former First Lady, but some, such as Empire State Pride Agenda executive director Alan Van Capelle, have previously expressed their disappointment over Clinton’s failure to support marriage for same-sex couples. McCall was quick to defend her LGBT record.

"She has been a very strong supporter of the LGBT community," he said. "She’s always stood by the LGBT community - even in dyer straights. It’s important to continue to stand by her."

Local supporters also dismissed pundits and others - especially those in the media - who claimed Clinton’s campaign was in trouble after Obama’s string of caucus victories following Super Tuesday.

"The same thing happened in New Hampshire - everyone said she was dead and they were wrong," Stonewall Democratic Club of New York President Matthew Carlin said.

McCall agreed.

"I don’t think she was ever faltering," he said. "She was just focusing her efforts. She was focusing on the major swing states."

Campagna echoed these sentiments. He singled out Clinton’s Super Tuesday victories in New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts and California. Campagna further argues they, combined with her wins in Ohio and Texas on Tuesday, give her campaign further momentum.

"There is tremendous energy and enthusiasm to charge into Pennsylvania," Campagna said. "A case is being made that she is the stronger candidate."

Gays Partisans Remain Engaged in Political Banter

I remain somewhat disconnected from the political back and forth between New York Sen. Hillary Clinton and Illinois Sen. Barack Obama last week due to my vacation in the Dominican Republic, but last night's election results proved yet again this election cycle remains historic.

A number of gay sources told me today they feel LGBT voters -- especially those in Ohio and Texas -- played an important role in Clinton's victory in those two states last night. Others used their interviews as an opportunity to portray their respective candidate in a favorable light (or to criticize their opposing White House hopeful). Journalists are certainly a cynical lot, I confess the continued partisan banter among pundits and political operatives in our community provides at least this reporter with a plethora of good sound bites and story ideas about which he can write.

The Pennsylvania primary is more than six weeks away, but this historic exercise in American democracy will certainly continue as the Democrats battle it out over they hope is the best candidate to lead their party into the November general election. LGBT partisans will certainly continue their partisan brinkmanship as they make the case for their respective candidate. Let the games continue!

Reflections of the Dominican Republic

Vacations are a time to escape from the rat race, recharge one's batteries and to of course have fun. All of these things and even more happened during the seven days I spent in the Dominican Republic with my gay Dominican friend David and my good friend Paul from Boston.

Problems remain in the country -- deep poverty (especially in the countryside), a lack of regular electricity and running water and political corruption to name a few -- but the window David provided us into gay life in Santo Domingo was a truly wonderful experience. The site of an American and a British-born United States resident must have been an interesting visage for those who gather each weekend at Parque Duarte in the capital's Colonial City or dance the night away at Cha on the Malecón or at the carnival in La Vega, but the Dominicans whom we met during our week in the country humorously welcomed us with open arms into the world for which they have created for themselves.

The Dominican Republic obviously must continue to confront the problems facing many of its citizens, but its gay residents allowed at least this gay American an opportunity to step away from the pink Gotham rat race, reflect and simply enjoy. ¡Pa’lante!

Boy in Bushwick Goes on Vacation

With the snow falling fast and relatively furious outside here in Bushwick, this blogger will take a long overdue vacation from tomorrow through March 1 in a much warmer climate. The next posting will be on Monday, March 3.

New York Activists Plan Protest Outside HRC Dinner

New York activists are among those across the country who have either picketed the Human Rights Campaign or plan to protest the lobbying organization at dinners across the country. As I reported in EDGE New York yesterday, a coalition of organizations plan to gather outside HRC's annual New York gala tomorrow night in Midtown to express their displeasure over the group's decision to back a transgender-exclusive Employment Non-Discrimination Act last fall. Stay tuned!

As the fallout over the Human Rights Campaign’s decision to back a transgender-exclusive federal non-discrimination bill before Congress last fall continues to unfold, a number of activists plan to picket the lobbying organization’s annual New York gala in Midtown on Feb. 23.

Allen Roskoff, president of the Jim Owles Liberal Democratic Club, told EDGE New York he expects hundreds of people to take part. He blasted U.S. Rep. Barney Frank [D-Mass.] for introducing the Employment Non-Discrimination Act without gender identity and expression and HRC President Joe Solmonese for supporting it despite repeated assurances to the contrary. Roskoff added he and others plan to ask members of New York’s Congressional delegation to withdraw their support of the current version of the bill.

"HRC has taken away the fight and drive for equality by compromising our goals and selling the community short," he said.

Melissa Sklarz, director of the New York Trans Rights Organization, is among those supporting the protest. She said she hopes donors and others who attend the dinner will better understand the damage she feels the HRC’s decision to back a trans-exclusive ENDA has done to its reputation and standing.

"I know they raise lots and lots of money and I know they have a huge, huge staff," Sklarz said. "2007 was a terrible, terrible year for transgender trust in HRC."

Stonewall Democratic Club of New York President Matthew Carlin said he made a personal decision not to attend. He added he has urged his members to do the same.

"HRC was really on the wrong side of the ENDA decision," Carlin said.

Activists have protested HRC dinners in Philadelphia and Charlotte, North Carolina, in recent weeks. And the New York Post reported earlier this week honorees Idina Menzel and Vanessa Williams have been urged to cancel their appearances at the gala, which Mayor Michael Bloomberg, openly lesbian City Council Speaker and probable 2009 mayoral candidate Christine Quinn, openly gay state Sen. Tom Duane, Carson Kressley and other local politicos and celebrities have previously attended.

Quinn did not return a request for comment, but has expressed support for a trans-inclusive bill. Duane, who has echoed these sentiments, will not attend the dinner because he will be in Albany.

HRC spokesperson Trevor Thomas downplayed any impact the protest may have.

"While a small number of critics continue to hold protests surrounding ENDA, the Human Rights Campaign is working with allies in Congress to educate members and pave the way for a fully inclusive bill that protects the entire GLBT community," he said.

Thomas further pointed out the HRC sends regular action alerts to its members that urge them to lobby their members of Congress to support a trans-inclusive bill. He also said HRC has recruited more than 50 major businesses to sign a letter in support of ENDA with gender identity and expression, and Thomas further added the organization has secured a commitment from House Speaker Nancy Pelosi [D-Calif.] to bring a trans-inclusive bill up for a vote as soon as it has enough support to pass.

"There are a lot of things that the general GLBT community... are not aware of that we’re doing everyday to make this happen," he said.

Roskoff remains unconvinced.

"It is time for our community to stop throwing money down the drain," Roskoff said. "HRC is nothing more than a cash cow that must no longer be fed."

Fidel Castro Announces Resignation

This blogger was almost certainly among millions of people in this country and around the world who attentively listened to reports yesterday that analyzed the potential impact Cuban President Fidel Castro's resignation would have on the Communist island. Few seem to question the dire economical situation of the Cuban people and the geo-political struggle between the United States and the Castro regime since shortly after he took power in 1959. The question of how his resignation will impact LGBT Cubans is part of the broader questions that remain.

The country's culture minister, Abel Prieto, recently expressed his support for legal recognition of same-sex couples while Castro's niece, Centro Nacional de Educacion Sexual (CENESEX) director Mariela Castro Espin, has expressed support for LGBT rights, including government-funded sex-reassignment surgeries and hormones, for transgender Cubans, over the last three years. These are important steps to correct serious human rights abuses the Castro regime had committed against gay men, people with AIDS and others, but the question remains as to whether a change in the Cuban government will produce tangible reforms that are more than arguably long overdue. Time will tell.

Gay Teen Shot, Killed in California School

The blogosphere and LGBT media outlets across the country have reported the utterly tragic and senseless murder of 15-year-old Lawrence King last Tuesday inside an Oxnard, Calif., junior high school allegedly because he was gay. The movement for LGBT rights have understandably expressed their shock and sadness at his death and have also used his murder to reaffirm their support for federal hate crimes legislation.

Larry's death is certainly a tragedy that reminds all of us anti-LGBT violence remains a clear and present problem in classrooms, on the streets and in homes around the country (and the world.) And we all have a responsibility to stand up and speak out against this violence and the culture of homophobia and intolerance that continues to foster it. Rest in peace Larry!

Activists Celebrate Federal Funding of D.C.'s Anti-AIDS Needle Exchange

This development, as I reported in Gay.com, comes as Democratic candidates campaign against the ban on federal funding for needle exchange programs designed to reduce rates of HIV and AIDS in communities the epidemic has hit hard. Washington is one such city. And activists will certainly continue to use Congress' decision to allow the District to fund these programs to pressure Capitol Hill to lift the ban on federal funding of these initiatives.

As activists and public health officials continue to push Congress to lift the ban on federally funded syringe-exchange programs, a number of LGBT and HIV/AIDS organizations gathered on Capitol Hill to commemorate congressional funding of these initiatives in the District of Columbia.

Congress voted last year to allow only the district, which it supports and over which it has special oversight, to fund these programs as part of its efforts to combat the spread of HIV/AIDS.

Washington, D.C. has one of the country's highest rates of new infections. Channing Wickham, executive director of the Washington AIDS Partnership, contends syringe-exchange programs are an effective way to curb the epidemic.

"With the highest HIV/AIDS rates in the country, the Washington AIDS Partnership is pleased that the District of Columbia will at last be able to spend local tax dollars on this life-saving HIV prevention strategy," Wickham said. "After many years of effort by a broad coalition of advocates, it is encouraging to see that common sense and the unquestioned efficacy of syringe exchange to slow the rate of new HIV infections have prevailed."

Human Rights Campaign president Joe Solmonese agreed. "With HIV and AIDS threatening public health, the end of the ban on the district using its funds to operate syringe-exchange programs in Washington is long overdue," Solmonese said.

The U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services enacted the ban in 1988 with the stipulation that allowed the department's chief to determine if syringe exchange programs reduce the spread of HIV/AIDS without increasing rates of intravenous drug use.

Then-Health and Human Services Secretary Donna Shalala issued a statement supporting these initiatives in 1998 while Surgeon General David Satcher concluded in 2000 that syringe-exchange programs are effective as part of a comprehensive HIV/AIDS strategy.

Numerous scientific studies, including a 2004 report published by the World Health Organization, further indicate syringe-exchange programs reduce HIV/AIDS rates without increased drug use. More than 200 programs now exist at locations across the country, including Positive Health Project in New York, the Free Medical Clinic of Greater Cleveland in Ohio, Access Works in Minneapolis, Prevention Point Philadelphia and Clean Needles Now in Los Angeles.

Activists contend Congress needs to allocate federal funds nationwide to further reduce HIV/AIDS rates.

"We call on Congress to follow its own lead and tremendous success in ending the D.C. ban by ending the federal ban as well," said Ronald Johnson, deputy executive director of AIDS Action.

Solmonese praised U.S. Rep. Eleanor Holmes Norton, D-Washington, D.C., and other lawmakers on Capitol Hill who back federal funding of these programs. He again reiterated his call to lift the ban.

"We salute congressional leaders for leading the effort to repeal this harmful policy and urge Congress to end the federal ban," Solmonese said.

Text of N'Touch Injunction Order

Bay Windows published Suffolk Superior Court Judge Stephen Neel's ruling that imposed a 45-day injunction against former In Newsweekly associate publisher Bill Berggren and two former sales associates in relation to N'Touch.

www.baywindows.com/pdfs/HX.pdf

HX Media CEO Matthew Bank filed suit against Berggren, Matthew White and Beau de Mello late last month after Berggren allegedly deleted In Newsweekly's advertising database before his Jan. 2 termination. The suit further alleges Berggren, White and de Mello solicited the troubled weekly's advertisers to advertise in N'Touch while the three were still employed by HX Media in Boston.

It remains unclear as to whether Bank will seek an additional injunction but in another development, an ad in this week's In Newsweekly announced the paper will become the New England Blade on Feb. 28.

Something to which we all can look forward.

Judge Issues Injunction Against Boston Gay Newspaper

A Boston judge issued an injunction against a new Boston LGBT newspaper on Friday
after the parent company of troubled weekly In Newsweekly filed suit against its former associate publisher for allegedly stealing his former employer's advertising database for his new publication.

Bill Berggren, publisher of N'Touch New England, allegedly solicited ads for the publication while still working at In Newsweekly. The suit further contends he lured away the weekly's sales staff to work for N'Touch. HX Media fired Berggren on Jan. 2 after CEO Matthew Bank reportedly discovered his plans to launch the newspaper.

Berggren declined to comment on the injunction but a source told Boy in Bushwick it remains in effect for 45 days and prevents N'Touch from using the same advertisers In Newsweekly uses. The source further speculated it is possible the court could issue a second injunction after the first court order expires.

Stay tuned...

Media Sensationalizes Murder of Alleged Transgender Prostitute

The news of Sanesha Stewart's murder allegedly at the hands of her pimp who did not know she was transgender is certainly a tragedy, but the subsequent coverage surrounding her untimely death is nothing less than outrageous.

Stewart, 25, was reportedly stabbed to death by Steve McMillan inside her Bronx apartment on Feb. 9. 1010 WINS announced the murder on its Web site yesterday with the headline "Tranny Hooker Murdered By Shocked John" while the Daily News proclaimed "Fooled John Stabbed Bronx Tranny." The tabloid changed its headline after the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation contacted its editors to challenge the sensationalized coverage. 1010 WINS followed suit but many questions remain.

Media outlets obviously need to remain competitive in order to maintain their product. This competitiveness comes with a great deal of responsibility. Sensationalizing the death of anyone is simply outrageous. Stewart had many friends and family -- as the Daily News itself reported today -- who loved her and care for her during her life. And she is certainly entitled to that basic respect and dignity in death without salacious headlines from editors interested in selling a few extra newspapers or producers who want to gain a handful of new listeners.

Romney Concedes Defeat

A collective applause most likely erupted from the movement for LGBT rights earlier today after former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney suspended his presidential campaign. Log Cabin Republican President Patrick Sammon was quick to acknowledge the social conservative's repeated flip-flops on abortion, marriage for same-sex couples and other issues throughout his failed White House bid.

"Governor Romney ran an aggressive campaign, spending tens of millions of dollars to hide his record and to distort the record of his opponents," he said in a statement. In the end, voters did not find this version of Mitt Romney to be credible. Too many voters learned about his record, and that record didn't match his new found conservative rhetoric."

Sammon further concluded today is a great day for the GOP.

"Nominating a candidate like Mitt Romney would have been a recipe for disaster in November and would have endured a White House victory by the Democrats," he said.

The Democrats arguably have an advantage going into November but Romney's failed campaign is undoubtedly a welcome development. Good riddance Mitt!

A Super Duper Tuesday in Bushwick

As a native Granite Stater, I often take for granted my vote actually counted for something. I voted in the first-in-the-nation presidential primary in both 2000 (for U.S. Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.)) and 2004 (for former Vermont Gov. Howard Dean.) And moving to New York State, I thought it would not matter as much -- but I was wrong at least this year.

I proudly voted for U.S. Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) yesterday here in Bushwick and while my arguably over-romanticized description may have held true in other primary cycles, Super Tuesday marked the first time in decades voters in New York and other states could have arguably influenced the process by which their respective parties choose their nominee for president. No small task as various pundits and others have pointed out time and time again today.

The campaign is far from over, however, as candidates continue to cross the country in search of votes. American voters -- at least those in the more than 30 states who have already voted or caucused -- can arguably take a sigh of relief the campaigns have moved onto someone else's backyard. But the games will obviously continue as one of the most important campaigns in history moves forward. Enjoy!

A Teachable Moment for All

With all of the excitement (or dismay) over the New York Giants' Super Bowl upset last night in Glendale and at least one subsequent street celebration on top of two garbage trucks in Union Square, this writer felt it a bit appropriate to take a step back from the early February sports festivities to perhaps more bread and butter issues discussed on this forum.

A long-time friend forwarded me a posting from an acquaintance's Myspace profile talking about the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) and how LGBT people remain second class citizens in this country without basic protections. She further pointed out how women of color cannot lose their jobs because of their race or how a Wal-Mart greeter cannot be terminated solely because of his or her age or how a Christian employee cannot be fired because of their faith. This acquaintance concluded 'almost 30 years after the Civil Rights movement, it's time for employment discrimination against gays and lesbians to end.'

This person is a straight white woman whose heart is certainly in the right place but her messaging around LGBT rights raises some potentially problematic points of contention that activists and others have repeatedly raised over the years. Comparing one struggle to another is almost never helpful despite the best of intentions. And the messenger who delivers these comparisons can either help or hurt the broader cause of equality. While at the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation, I would always caution against these comparisons as a '20-something gay white man from New Hampshire' who did not live during the Civil Rights struggle. The late Coretta Scott King could certainly (and effectively) make this comparison based on the work she and her husband, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., did throughout their lives. I, and others who did not share this experience, arguably cannot.

Straight allies certainly serve a vitally important role within the movement for LGBT rights and its efforts on behalf of LGBT Americans. But they, like everyone, have a responsibility to educate themselves about the issues and the impact their statements and messages have on their own advocacy and those around them they claim to support. To fail on this important responsibility simply breeds more ignorance that helps no one.

City Pension Funds Seek Ban On LGBT Discrimination In Workplace

A number of observers are often quick to point out New York City leads the country in implementing or (at the very least) progressive policies within the five boroughs and within the companies and corporations with which it works. City Comptroller William C. Thompson, Jr., is one of the local elected officials to which many point in extending these progressive policies. And one such measure came earlier this week with his announcement his office would pressure two dozen Fortune 1000 companies to adopt non-discrimination policies that would inclue sexual orientation and gender identity. This announcement is not new as reported in EDGE New York this week. But it arguably sends a powerful message: New York expects government and business alike to protect its LGBT citizens.

Speaking at a press conference at the LGBT Community Center in lower Manhattan yesterday, New York City Comptroller William C. Thompson, Jr., announced he and the city’s pension funds had called upon two dozen Fortune 1000 companies to adopt non-discrimination policies that include sexual orientation and gender identity.

Thompson, a likely 2009 mayoral candidate, said corporate America has a responsibility to protect all of its employees.

"A company can’t reach its full potential if it fails to protect all of its workers," he said. "Corporations that value all of its employees must protect all of its workers."

Public Advocate Betsy Gotbaum, herself a trustee on the New York City Employees Retirement System, echoed Thompson.

"There is no question equal treatment in the workplace is a right," she said. "Large companies in this country should set a standard - they must set a standard."

Transgender activist Melissa Sklarz agreed.

"He [Thompson] knows what I know: LGBT discrimination is bad for business," she said.

The city’s five pension funds, which Thompson oversees, have more than $110 billion in holdings. Eric Indemnity, the Brink’s Company, AK Steel and Synovus Financial Corporations are among the half a dozen companies that have already agreed to adopt the changes in this latest in a series of proposals sent to companies in which the funds have holdings.

These resolutions contain twice as many proposals as the previous proxy season. They include transgender-specific protections for the second time.

Fifty companies have amended their policies to include sexual orientation and/or gender identity but Thompson specifically singled out Exxon Mobil for its repeated failure to respond to these requests.

NYCERS has petitioned the company eight times. And despite increased shareholder support each year, Exxon Mobil has ignored the requests.

"While it is heartening that a number of shareholders agree that Exxon Mobil must take steps to provide equal protections for all employees, it is extremely troubling and downright unacceptable that Exxon Mobil has strongly resisted the call," Thompson said.

He added he and his office will continue to pressure Exxon Mobil to adopt their proposal.

"We’re not going to go away," Thompson said.