Paladino blasted at Pride Agenda's fall dinner

It should come as little surprise those who spoke at the Empire State Pride Agenda's annual fall dinner last night blasted Republican gubernatorial candidate Carl Paladino. The Buffalo millionaire's own words remain his worst enemy, but Gov. David Paterson, New York City Council Speaker Christine Quinn and Pride Agenda executive director Ross Levi were among those who took the firebrand to task.

Pride Agenda endorses José Peralta for State Senate

As LGBT activists appear poised to target those who opposed a bill that would have allowed gays and lesbians to marry, the Empire State Pride Agenda announced this morning it has endorsed a Queens assemblyman who seeks to unseat embattled state Sen. Hiram Monserrate [D-Jackson Heights.]

Pride Agenda executive director Alan Van Capelle said in a statement that announced his organization's decision to endorse Assemblymember José Peralta [D-Jackson Heights] he feels "Queens needs a new state Senator--one with integrity and honor, and who stands up for the rights of all New Yorkers."

“José Peralta has demonstrated time and time again that he is a champion of equality and justice for all New Yorkers and has consistently represented the interests of his district in the New York State Assembly,” Van Capelle said. “His record on LGBT issues demonstrates that he does not duck-and-run when our bills come up for a vote. He has stood up for us in the Assembly, and we will stand with him in his race for the state Senate.”

Monserrate, who was convicted in October of misdemeanor assault against his girlfriend, is one of eight Democrats who voted against the marriage bill that went before the state Senate last week. This vote was arguably the last straw among the embattled senator's growing list of detractors. And the Peralta endorsement is the latest indication Monserrate and others who opposed the marriage bill remain squarely in the electoral cross hairs of LGBT activists and their supporters.

“Over the next several months, the Pride Agenda will roll out
endorsements of candidates who support equality and will challenge sitting
members of the state Senate on both sides of the aisle whose record on equality
is a stain on New York,” Van Capelle said.

New York State Assembly Passes Marriage Bill

The New York State Assembly handed gay activists the latest in a series of marriage victories late last night after they passed a bill which would allow same-sex couples to marry in the Empire State. Lawmakers endorsed the bill in an 85-to-61 vote. New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg's sudden announcement he had left the Republican Party pushed this historic vote far onto the back pages [The New York Times buried the story as part of an overall legislative round-up article].

The New York State Court of Appeals stung the Empire State Pride Agenda, Lambda Legal, Marriage Equality New York and other activist organizations [and gay New Yorkers for that matter] last July after it ruled against multiple lawsuits which sought marriage for same-sex couples. The State Senate, led by Republican Joseph Bruno, will almost certainly fail to take up this issue before it leaves for its summer recess at the end of this week. Most activists surely recognize that reality despite their public statements and press releases in praise of the progress last night's vote represents. The Assembly's support, however, remains a historic step forward in New York State which gives activists a definite shot in the arm days before the city's Pride march.

New York Governor No-Show at LGBT Rights Lobby Day

More than 1,000 LGBT rights supporters from across New York State gathered in Albany yesterday for the Empire State Pride Agenda’s annual lobbying day. Activists continue to celebrate the bill Gov. Eliot Spitzer introduced late last month that would extend marriage to same-sex couples in the state but his absence added an interesting side note to an otherwise successful day. Spokesperson Christine Anderson told the New York Times the governor did not meet with activists because he was in San Francisco to attend a series of fundraising meetings. Spitzer undoubtedly did not snub activists. But Times reporter Nicholas Confessore correctly noted in his blog Spitzer’s absence has a “Honey, I’d love to go look at fabric samples with you, but I have to, um, alphabetize my CDs today.”

Presidential Candidates Court California Democrats

Buzz surrounded many of the Democratic presidential candidates who appeared at the annual California Democratic Party's annual convention this past weekend in San Diego. Sen. Barack Obama, former U.S. Sen. John Edwards were among those who predictably criticized the White House's war strategy with rhetoric that surely energized anti-war party activists. The war will certainly continue to dominate discussion in the campaign. But Sen. Hillary Clinton's strategic comments towards gay and lesbian voters during her speech at the convention also raised some eyebrows.

The Associated Press reported Clinton promised to treat all Americans with dignity and equality no matter who you are and who you love. The Empire State Pride Agenda and other LGBT advocacy organizations have criticized the former first lady for her opposition to full marriage for same-sex couples. New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer introduced a bill last Friday which would extend full marriage to gay and lesbian couples while California lawmakers continue to debate a similar bill in their state. Clinton's reference was clearly aimed to court gay and lesbian voters in the influential state. Yet her own record on marriage remains troubling to a number of LGBT activists and potential voters.

Equality California Executive Director Geoff Kors told this blogger earlier this month his organization would not endorse any candidate who do not support its mission. California remains an important fundraising source for presidential candidates on both sides of the aisle. LGBT voters, however, should expect more from candidates than good sound bites and anti-Bush rhetoric. They should expect candidates to answer their questions directly. The candidates themselves, in turn, also have a responsibility to explain their positions on marriage and other issues to LGBT voters.

New York Governor Introduces Marriage Bill

Governor Eliot Spitzer kept his promise to LGBT advocacy organizations today and introduced a marriage equality bill in Albany. Spitzer, who took office in January, became the first governor in the country to introduce such legislation.

"Today is a watershed moment in our community's struggle to win the freedom to marry in New York and have our relationships treated the same as any other relationship under the law," Empire State Pride Agenda Executive Director Alan Van Capelle said in a statement. "We are extremely proud to have a Governor who understands that all New York families need access to the protections and responsibilities that the state provides through marriage."

This bill is a monumental move many activists and same-sex couples in New York State will continue to praise over the coming days and weeks. ESPA will certainly have a lot to celebrate next week as it brings hundreds of LGBT New Yorkers to Albany for its annual lobbying day but it, and other groups, have a responsibility to manage expectations based on current political realities.

Spitzer has certainly proven himself a strong ally for LGBT New Yorkers in their quest for equality. But the New York State Senate, controlled by Republican Joseph Bruno, poses a very significant challenge to the success of this bill as an April 24 editorial in the New York Times correctly pointed out. The senate Majority Leader has repeatedly expressed his opposition to marriage for same-sex couples. His counterpart in the state Assembly, Sheldon Silver [D-Manhattan], has yet to publicly take a position on the bill. This political reality underscores the uphill battle activists face as they work with the governor to advance the bill. They will continue to polish their messages, talking points and sound bites to convince New Yorkers across the state that marriage equality is an important issue. But these groups also need to clearly articulate to their constituencies the significant hurdles that lay ahead.