Tag Archives: New York state

“All children should always feel safe and secure in our schools. While at school to learn, some students are forced to endure harassment, violence, bullying, and intimidation because of their sexual orientation. This is completely unacceptable. Our laws ensure that all students have access to public education in a safe environment free from discrimination, and these laws must guarantee these …

New York marriage equality activists say they have renewed hope after yesterday’s private meeting with Gov. Andrew Cuomo. Paul Schindler reports at Gay City News: “I’ve been to lots of meetings where presidents or governors call people in to say that they’re with them, and this one was really extraordinary,” said Richard Socarides, the executive director of Equality Matters, a …

Tomorrow morning anti-gay New York state Sen. Carl Kruger will surrender to federal authorities on charges that he accepted campaign donations in return for favors doled out to powerful businessmen. Kruger was one of the eight traitorous Senate Democrats who voted against same-sex marriage in 2009. Mr. Kruger headed the powerful Senate Finance Committee until Democrats lost control of the …

“Just had an intense day at jury duty. During voir dire we were asked who would not be impartial. I raised my hand and said, ‘Since I can’t get married or adopt a child in the state of New York, I can’t possibly be an impartial judge of a citizen when I am considered a second class one in the …

Lady Gaga took a moment during Friday’s concert in Buffalo to call on her fans to deluge New York state Sen. Mark Grisanti with demands that he endorse marriage equality. In 2008 Grisanti declared that he was “unalterably opposed” to gay marriage. But Gaga says he’s now “on the fence.” “There’s a senator here in Buffalo that’s on the fence …

Days after Donald Trump announced that gay people deserve no civil rights at all, some activists are calling for a boycott of his businesses. In New York, home to one of the largest gay and lesbian communities in the U.S., Trump’s comments may end up biting him in the ass-ets. “He’s an extreme bigot,” says Allen Roskoff, who was the …

A New York state appeals court has ruled that a gay man married in Canada has the right to inherit the estate of his late husband, despite claims by the husband’s family that their marriage was invalid. While same-sex couples can’t wed in the state, J. Craig Leiby and H. Kenneth Ranftle were legally married in Canada, so Leiby is …

NY Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced yesterday that he will ask the state legislature to take up the issue of same-sex marriage before its current session ends this June. His pledge was greeted warmly by gay-rights activists, who have waited with some uncertainty to see whether Mr. Cuomo, faced with a daunting battle over the budget, would make a charged social …

Popular performance artist Rev. Billy and his Church of Life After Shopping will stage a mass un-wedding in Central Park this Sunday. Straight, married supporters of same sex marriage will un-marry in a mass ritual at New York City’s Bethesda Angel this Valentine’s Day weekend, sending a strong message to New York State’s leadership for the for the second year …

The younger Barbara Bush has joined her mother in endorsing same-sex marriage. The New York Times comments on the kids of prominent Republicans: Ms. Bush is the latest child of a prominent Republican leader to embrace same-sex marriage, long considered anathema to the conservative movement. Gay rights advocates have been quick to seize on the generational split as evidence that …

RELATED: A new poll release this morning shows that 56% of New Yorkers now support marriage equality. Freedom To Marry reacts via press release: Today’s poll is yet another confirmation that a strong majority of New Yorkers believe that loving and committed same-sex couples should share in the freedom to marry. New Yorkers, like all Americans, see their gay neighbors, …

New York state Sen. Carl Kruger wants to make it illegal to use any electronic device while crossing the street. Violators would be required to appear in court, and revenue from the $100 fines would go to a fund to educate people on the dangers of device distractions, the senator said. “This is not a nuisance offense,” Kruger said. “People …

Today Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand appeared on The View where she vowed to work towards marriage equality nationwide. A nice round of applause from the audience followed. (Via – Good As You)

In a move that some say may signal a renewed push for marriage equality, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo has hired Eric Bottcher to fill the newly created cabinet post of Special Assistant for Community Affairs. Previously, the openly gay Bottcher served as NYC Council Speaker Christine Quinn’s LGBT community liaison. The NY Daily News weighs on what Bottcher’s appointment …

Last night a member of the Schnectady, New York city council joined with two constituents in calling for the removal of billboards featuring black gay men. The billboard campaign is a joint effort of the state Department of Health and the LGBT advocacy group, In Our Own Voices. Leading the charge against the billboards is the pastor of a local …

JMG reader Gavin snapped this billboard on Interstate 90 near Albany, New York. More about the sponsoring organization can be found here. I love it.

The Empire State Pride Agenda notes via press release that Gov. Andrew Cuomo is off to a promising start regarding LGBT rights and today mentioned marriage equality in his first State Of The State address. Among Cuomo’s first actions since assuming office are the continuance of former Gov. David Paterson’s executive order protecting state employees from gender identity discrimination. Additionally, …

Last July, Claire Buffie was named Miss New York after competing on the platform “Straight For Equality: Let’s Talk.” On January 15th, Buffie will be the first-ever Miss America contestant to compete in the name of LGBT rights. Buffie is a board member of NYC P-FLAG and works at the Genius Bar of the Fifth Avenue Apple store. Do I …