Quinn: We Made History Because We Never Lost Faith

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

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

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

Fire Island 2011, part 5

Started writing at 10:23 a.m. while listening to “The Brian Lehrer Show” in the cottage in Ocean Beach.

A thunderstorm woke me up a couple of hours ago. And while fog enveloped the beach several times over the last few days, this weekend was a largely wonderful kick-off to another summer on Fire Island.

I came out 10 years ago on Friday, May, 27, and I was able to spend the anniversary of this milestone on Fire Island—running on the beach, delivering guides and simply hanging out in Ocean Beach, Cherry Grove and the Fire Island Pines. The gaggle of gays who grew (in numbers) exponentially over the weekend provided some particularly pleasing eye candy. My tan line has returned. And dancing for hours last night at Cherry’s in the Grove once again proved the highlight of the long holiday weekend.

Here are three notes and observations from the previous days.
1) Porsche’s proclamation at the pool show at the Ice Palace in the Grove on Sunday, May 29, that Adele’s “Rolling in the Deep” will become the song of the summer could possibly prove true, although Katy Perry’s “Firework” could give the soulful English chanteuse a serious run for her money.
2) The group of revelers who boarded the water taxi late last night in Ocean Bay Park provided even more proof that I remain very happy to be a gay man.
3) A career as a drag queen can prove to be a particularly wise choice for those who are not necessarily natural beauties.



Sunset from the ferry in Fair Harbor on Wednesday, May 25.



From the pool deck at the Ice Palace's pool show on Sunday, May 29.



Low Tea in the Pines on Saturday, May 28.



Homecoming Queen 2011 contestants at the Grove's Community House on Sunday, May 29.



Dallas Dubois in the Pines on Saturday, May 28.

On the road again

While suburban commuters may certainly loathe the Tappan Zee Bridge that connects Rockland and Westchester Counties, the oft-maligned span affords some breathtaking vistas of the lower Hudson Valley, the Palisades and even the distant Manhattan skyline.

I shot this clip shortly after 7 p.m. on Monday, May 10. Our bus was returning to the city from the Empire State Pride Agenda's annual Equality and Justice Day in Albany.

Brooklyn state senator surrenders to federal authorities

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

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

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

Election Day in Bushwick

An expected package delivery kept me away from the polls until 3:30 p.m., but it took less than 10 minutes to vote at my polling place here in Bushwick once I arrived.

Here are some snapshots from the day.

Ex-madam Kristin Davis courts Bushwick voters

New York State gubernatorial candidate Kristin Davis apparently finds it necessary to stump for votes in Bushwick!

I would have preferred to receive information about the Rent Is Too Damn High Party in the mail this afternoon, but the ex-madam certainly knows a thing or two about hustling for votes (and chutzpah!)

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.

New Yorkers throw the bums out

Both the Daily News and the Post yesterday urged New Yorkers to go to the polls and ‘throw the bums out,’ and they did just that.

Gustavo Rivera trounced scandal-plagued Senate Majority Leader Pedro Espada, Jr. [D-Bronx] by a 67 to 28 percent margin. Espada remained defiant after he conceded to Rivera. “Understand I am not quitting anything,” he told supporters at a Bronx bar as the New York Times reported. “As I go to sleep and wake up re-energized, I am ready for a new fight.”

Espada’s ‘new fight’ may very well come separate courtrooms as he continues to defend himself against allegations he siphoned $14 million from the Soundview Health Center and questions about whether he actually lives in the district he represents in Albany. He is not the only politician, however, New Yorkers sent packing last night.

Francisco Moya easily defeated disgraced former state Sen. Hiram Monserrate [D-Jackson Heights] in a race to fill a vacant Queens Assembly seat. Tim Kennedy defeated incumbent state Sen. Bill Stachowski [D-Lake View]. And in arguably the most surprising result of the night, Buffalo developer Carl Paladino trounced former Congressman Rick Lazio to secure the Republican gubernatorial nomination. The insurgent will square off against Attorney General Andrew Cuomo in November.

Primary Day 2010

Aside from finding my new polling place, voting this morning was a relatively painless experience. The new paper ballots and electronic voting machines were quite straight-forward. And I was on my way after less than five minutes.

Here are a handful of snapshots from the neighborhood on this Primary Day.



In the 'privacy booth' in the basement of the Noll Street Apartments on Central Avenue.



Last minute politicking on the sidewalk along George Street in Bushwick.



The Daily News captures a common sentiment among New York voters.

Will special election end the Monserrate spectacle?

As voters in the 13th Senatorial District go to the polls today, the circus that continues to surround former state Sen. Hiram Monserrate's delusional campaign against state Assemblymember José Peralta remains a sad spectacle that further tarnishes New York State politics.

Boy in Bushwick has posted several blogs in recent weeks about Monserrate and the circumstances that led to his expulsion from the state Senate last month, but Andrés Duque captures the events that lead up to this moment perfectly on his post "So, Hiram Monserrate walks into a gay bar... (or why I will vote against him today.)

Paterson keeps up appearances

Embattled Gov. David Paterson did not step-down on Friday as this blogger and several others had speculated, and his schedule today clearly sends a powerful message to those who continue to urge him to resign.

Paterson is scheduled to hold a forum on the budget at Brooklyn Borough Hall later this morning. The governor is slated to speak at a symposium on the proposed Sugared Beverage Tax in Albany this afternoon before he meets with New York Archbishop Timothy Dolan and members of the New York State Catholic Conference in the Capitol at 3 p.m. Paterson is also scheduled to attend the Irish Legislators Society's annual Legislators' Dinner at the Capital District Irish Cultural Center.

A governor's schedule is not normally newsworthy, but it certainly indicates Paterson is doing everything he can to shift focus away from his ongoing travails. The fact remains, however, the concurrent scandals in which he finds himself are the story. And his eventual resignation remains almost certainly inevitable.

New York awaits Paterson's possible resignation

Will (and when will) embattled Gov. David Paterson resign?

Peter Kauffmann's resignation only heightened speculation the governor would step-down. And an Albany source told Boy in Bushwick in an e-mail at 3:30 yesterday afternoon Paterson's resignation would happen within the hour. It obviously didn't materialize, but the Wall Street Journal reported an emergency meeting of Paterson's New York City staff will take place in Midtown Manhattan later today.

An exit strategy is almost certainly in the works, and former State Comptroller H. Carl McCall seemed to imply that in comments he made to the Times before he attended a meeting with the Rev. Al Sharpton and other black and Latino politicians and city leaders in Sylvia's in Harlem. Paterson is increasingly unable to govern the state, which remains in desperate need of executive leadership that will effectively tackle the mounting budget deficit, a sluggish economy and other serious problems. And his resignation seems almost inevitable.

Paterson's office told journalists late yesterday afternoon the governor will be in New York City and has no public schedule. These schedules are often subject to change. And one can easily read between the lines and conclude Paterson may announce his resignation after members of his staff end their emergency meeting.

Stay tuned...

New York Times reports Paterson ordered two aides to call woman in domestic violence case

The plot suddenly thickens in the ongoing saga surrounding Gov. David Paterson.

The New York Times reported earlier tonight he directed two aides -- press secretary Marissa Shorenstein and state employee Deneane Brown -- to contact the woman whom David Johnson allegedly assaulted and dissuade her from appearing in court on Feb. 8. This report comes less than four days after Paterson suspended his election campaign. And these latest revelations will certainly increase calls for his resignation -- even before he serves the remaining 305 days of his term.

Shorenstein is the contact on a press release the governor's office sent out earlier tonight about St. Vincent's. The rather obvious question, however, is indeed whether Paterson will resign (and when.) One contact speculated it could happen as early as this weekend, but the fact remains Paterson is an increasing distraction for a state that continues to face extremely serious problems. It is time for the governor to end this saga once and for all.

Paterson ends election campaign

Is today’s announcement the end of the Gov. David Paterson saga?

Something tells me his decision to end his election campaign marks only the beginning of what could prove a long and painful ordeal for the Empire State. State Sen. Bill Perkins [D-Harlem,] a long-time Paterson ally, told WNYC’s Brian Lehrer earlier this morning he feels the governor will eventually step-down.

“It’s time for honestly and I believe that David Paterson knows better than anyone else how this investigation will end,” he said. “He knows what’s being investigated and he knows what’s at stake. He knows what he did, who he talked to. He knows under whose order the state troopers contacted this woman. If the investigation turns out the way many expect, his resignation is almost inevitable.”

Ironically, Paterson became governor nearly two years ago after his predecessor resigned amid a prostitution scandal. The fact he has been able to overcome numerous personal obstacles in his life remains an inspiration to an untold number of New Yorkers. The allegations that continue to swirl around Paterson, however, provide yet another reminder New York State government remains seriously broken.

Paterson stressed he plans to serve out the rest of his term—308 days. Events, however, may certainly dictate a far different outcome.

Monserrate to run in special election under "Yes We Can" party

One can certainly argue chutzpah remains in abundance in New York politics, and former state Sen. Hiram Monserrate's decision to declare himself a candidate in next month's special election under the "Yes We Can" party proves it is alive and very much well.

The state Senate expelled the former New York City Councilmember earlier this month in response to his conviction of misdemeanor assault against his girlfriend inside his Jackson Heights apartment in Dec. 2008. The Democratic establishment has rallied behind state Assemblyman José Peralta [D-Jackson Heights] ahead of the March 16 special election. And pending any unforeseen scandals and/or other developments, Peralta will succeed Monserrate in Albany.

This almost certain reality, however, has not sunken in with Monserrate.

"I am committed, as I have always been, to defend the rights of the voters and never allowing their vote to be disenfranchised," he said in a statement released on Monday, Feb. 22. "The amount of community support during the past 6 days proves that voters in this district know who best represents them independently from party bosses, political hacks, and Albany insiders."

One truly cannot make this you know what up!

Senate panel recommends Monserrate's expulsion or censure

A New York State Senate panel has recommended embattled state Sen. Hiram Monserrate's expulsion or censure in connection with assaulting his girlfriend.

Multiple sources told Boy in Bushwick over the weekend the panel would announce its conclusion by the end of this week. And lawmakers--and members of the Democratic caucus in particular--have obviously moved quickly to address what remains a growing liability ahead of the looming budget battle.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Paterson bans discrimination against transgender New York state employees

Governor David Paterson received a standing ovation at the LGBT Community Center in lower Manhattan earlier today as he signed an executive order to ban discrimination against transgender state employees.

"For far too long... the transgender community has had to wait for the same equality others enjoy based on employment," he said. "That ends today."



Governor David Paterson signs the executive order.

Empire State Pride Agenda executive director Alan Van Capelle and Michael Silverman of the Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund were among those who joined state Sen. Tom Duane, state Assemblymembers Deborah Glick, Dick Gottfried, Danny O'Donnell and other elected officials on stage as Paterson signed the directive.

"Transgender people, like all New Yorkers, need stability, and it starts in the workplace," Melissa Sklarz, director of the New York Transgender Rights Organization, said.

Paterson's executive order makes New York the seventh state to specifically ban discrimination against trans public employees. His mandate also came as an arguably much needed shot in the arm for activists who continue to lobby state lawmakers to pass the Gender Expression Non-Discrimination Act, marriage for same-sex coupes and the Dignity in All Schools Act.

"Today is a good first step," Van Capelle said. "It is not the end of our fight."



From right; Michael Silverman of the Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund and Pauline Park of the New York Association for Gender Rights and Advocacy stand alongside Gov. David Paterson.



State Sen. Tom Duane applauds Gov. David Paterson.



Melissa Sklarz of the New York Transgender Rights Organization.

Paterson to ban discrimination against transgender New York State employees

Boy in Bushwick has learned Gov. David Paterson will sign an executive order tomorrow that will ban discrimination against transgender state employees.

The governor is scheduled to sign the order tomorrow morning at the LGBT Community Center in lower Manhattan. Michael Silverman, executive director of the Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund, praised the move.

"This executive order will ensure that hard-working transgender employees of New York State can work without fear of discrimination, and provide for themselves and their families," he said. “We applaud [Gov.] Paterson for taking this important step for transgender equal rights.”

Delaware, Indiana, Kansas, Michigan, Ohio and Pennsylvania currently ban discrimination against their public employees based gender identity and expression. The federal Employment Non-Discrimination Act remains stalled in Congress, but Dru Levasseur of Lambda Legal told the New York Times he feels the state will once again be at the forefront of what he described as states "that are taking the lead on workplace fairness."

Albany jury convicts former Senate Majority Leader Joseph Bruno of corruption

An Albany jury yesterday found former New York State Senate Majority Leader Joseph Bruno [R-Saratoga Springs] guilty on two federal corruption charges.

The panel acquitted Bruno on five other charges, but Ken Lovett of the Daily News correctly described the conviction as "the guilty verdict heard 'round the state'" because it essentially amounts to an indictment of the way Albany lawmakers have conducted themselves for decades.

The jury found Bruno guilty of two counts of mail fraud in connection with various 'consulting' work he did for Leonard Fassler and other businessmen and companies during his legislative tenure. The former Senate Majority Leader, who retired last year, reportedly made $3.2 million from his association with Fassler and other clients.

U.S. District Court Judge Gary Sharpe will sentence Bruno on March 31. The former lawmaker faces up to 20 years in prison, but he has vowed to appeal his conviction.