Governor Paterson Signs Dignity for All Students Act!

You did it! Thanks to years of advocacy by committed people like you, today Governor Paterson signed into law landmark statewide legislation with specific protections for LGBT youth. Won't you take a moment to send an email to the governor thanking him for signing The Dignity for All Students Act today?

The Dignity for All Students Act prohibits and combats bullying and discrimination in public schools, including bias harassment based on traits like race, ethnicity, religion, disability, sexual orientation, and gender identity and expression. It requires teacher training on how to discourage incidents of bias harassment, inclusion of discrimination and harassment awareness in students' civility and character education and the reporting of bias incidents to the State Education Department.

"Dignity" recognizes that students who are bullied can't concentrate on learning, may drop out of school and sometimes take their own lives. It also marks the first time a New York state law has included explicit protections for transgender New Yorkers.

Today's historic victory is the result of 10 years of hard work. In 2000, Pride Agenda joined with our partner GLSEN to pull together the Dignity for All Students Coalition, which now numbers over 200 very diverse groups like New York State United Teachers (NYSUT), the New York Civil Liberties Union and the Anti Defamation League. Thanks to a decade of your consistent pressure, the leadership of Governor Paterson and the tenacious work of its sponsors, Assemblymember Daniel O'Donnell and Senator Tom Duane, "Dignity" passed the Legislature earlier this year with overwhelmingly bipartisan support.

It takes a minute to send a thank you note with our effective and easy-to-use action center. Your action today also sends a message to the next governor and all candidates running for office: we take action when our elected officials keep their promises -- and when they don't. You will also be signed up for our action center so you can continue to make your voice heard on the Gender Expression Non-Discrimination Act (GENDA) and marriage equality.

Once you thank Governor Paterson, please spread the word and forward this email to everyone you know who cares about student safety, and share the link on your social networks like Facebook or Twitter. No student should have to fear for their safety while trying to learn in school. Thank you for everything you did to help win this historic victory today.

P.S. -- You can also make a donation to our PAC to support pro-LGBT candidates who have committed to go above and beyond for our community --like this governor did today.

Scenes from the Hamptons Tea Dance

This past Saturday, July 11, the Pride Agenda was out in East Hampton for our 17th annual Hamptons Tea Dance. We sipped cocktails and danced to the tunes of DJ Lady Bunny at 10A ranch, the home of hosts Will Trinkle and Juan Granados. The weather was perfect, and our great volunteers, energetic event co-chairs and host committee, and festive guests made it another Tea Dance to remember! Here’s some of the event coverage in the press and a few photos:

Vanity Fair has a great writeup of the event and a lovely photo gallery.

Hamptons.com summarizes the event and the work of the Pride Agenda.

Plum TV’s interview at the Tea Dance with Governor Paterson has been picked up by Capitol Confidential and the Daily Politics.

Fabulous DJ Lady Bunny

Host Will Trinkle, Executive Director Alan Van Capelle, U.S. Senator Kristen Gillibrand,

host Juan Granados, and Board Co-Chair Mitch Karsch

Edward Albee and Governor Paterson

Gov. Paterson introduces marriage equality program bill

The Pride Agenda just released the following statement by Executive Director Alan Van Capelle on Gov. Paterson's introduction of a marriage equality program bill today:

“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. 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.

When the marriage bill passed in the State Assembly in 2007, Governor Paterson played an instrumental role in securing the needed votes in the moments leading up to the floor debate. The bill passed by a bipartisan vote of 85-61 and every single Assemblymember who voted for marriage on that night—Democrat and Republican—won their reelection last November. The Assembly and the Governor are on record in support of this bill, and a majority of New Yorkers support this bill. Now it’s time for the State Senate to get in line with the rest of New York.

There are now more than two months left before the end of the legislative session. During this time, our community will continue to talk to their State Senators at home where they live and in Albany to let them know how important this issue is and how it affects New York families in all corners of the state. This is how we have been successful in building support in the past and I am confident that this is how we will earn the support that we need in to pass the bill in the State Senate this year.

Thousands of New Yorkers will be taking the day off from work and traveling from all parts of the state—from Buffalo to Brookhaven—to be in Albany with us on Tuesday, April 28. LGBT New Yorkers, our families and allies from the faith, organized labor and business communities will have face-to-face meetings with their State Senators to let them know that we expect them to pass the marriage bill this year. Our patience is running out because our families cannot wait any longer.”

Click here to email your Assemblymember and Senator to let them know you want them to support and pass the marriage equality bill.

New Yorkers Support Gov. Paterson's Marriage Announcement

A poll released today by Quinnipiac University revealed that a majority of New York voters (53%-40%) support Governor Paterson's announcement that NYS agencies would treat out-of-state marriages of same-sex couples as fully valid in New York.

The poll results are pretty consistent with polling that we've done on the issue for the past few years--most recently our poll (conducted by Global Strategy Group) showed that 56% of New York voters support recognizing marriages that were legally performed out of state.

What's also interesting--and important--to note from this poll is that Paterson's overall approval rating went up during the period of time that the announcement was made. This shows pretty clearly that elected officials in New York, even at the highest levels, can be openly (and strongly) in favor of marriage equality and still be popular among voters.

Recent reactions to the Gov.’s same-sex marriage action

Since the news broke on Thursday, the media has not only reported but reacted to Gov. Paterson’s directive to state agencies to respect all legal out of state same-sex marriages. Here’s what they’ve been saying:

The New York Times reports efforts to block Paterson’s marriage directive, including a lawsuit from Arizona’s Alliance Defense Fund and possible action from Senate Majority Leader Joe Bruno.

Harlem residents have mixed reactions to the news of Paterson’s support for same-sex marriage.

In Newsday, a Republican source says Paterson has dug a hole for Democrats in the next election, while a Democrat source says he admires the Gov’s foresight.

Future political implications aside, Newsday also reports that there isn’t much same-sex marriage foes can do at this point to block Paterson’s directive.

The Daily News and the Post think the Gov jumped the gun, and he should wait for the legislature to take action. Hey, Daily News and Post, pop quiz: how many branches of government are there? (Hint: more than one!)

A Journal News editorial congratulates Paterson for taking action where Bruno and the Senate have been stalling.

And the Ithaca Journal says there’s an easy way to end all this squabbling: the Senate just needs to pass the marriage equality bill!

The Albany Times Union criticizes Paterson for not doing enough as Gov. so far, and says his marriage directive has created more hostility between him and the legislature.

Republican Assemblywoman Teresa Sayward, a supporter of the LGBT community, says it’s only fair to recognize out of state same sex marriages as legal in NY.

The Legislative Gazette and Poughkeepsie Journal (Gannett) has reactions from both sides of the issue.

Pride festivals in the Hudson Valley were reenergized by the excitement of Paterson’s support for the community.

The media reacts to the Gov.’s move toward marriage equality

Since the original NY Times story broke the news on Wednesday night, there have been literally hundreds of stories throughout the country written, blogged and recorded about Gov. Paterson’s instructions to state agencies to respect out of state marriages of same-sex couples. Here’s just a sampling of some of the great stories highlighting this historic move, and pondering what’s next for gay marriage in New York:

Print/online:
Editorial: A Step Closer to Justice – NY Times

Bruno Weighs Response to Gay-Marriage Directive – NY Times

N.Y. to Recognize Other Jurisdictions' Gay Marriages – Washington Post

Same-sex marriage rights directed by Paterson are far reaching – Ithaca Journal/Gannett Papers

Editorial: A victory for gay rights – Times Union

Guv Advances Marriage March – Gay City News

N.Y. recognizes gay marriages – Washington Blade

Bruno may challenge governor's order on same-sex unions - Newsday

Report: Paterson moving to recognize same-sex marriages - NY Daily News

Paterson’s gay marriage edict sparks debate - Buffalo News

Blogs:
Not Sure How We Missed This… - Daily Politics

Paterson's Message on Same-Sex Marriage - Politicker

New Governor Still Having Fun With the Job – Radar

Cook? Archuleta? Pssch! David Paterson is Our Idol! – Good As You

Paterson directs agencies to recognize gay marriages;
Good gov, bad gov;
Paterson’s gloves come off;
If you’re keeping score on gay marriage - Capitol Confidential

TV:
Governor Say N.Y. Law Recognizes Same-Sex Couples Married Out Of State - NY1

Legal Action Possible over Gay Marriage – ABC 7

Radio:
Gov. Paterson interview - NPR

Another step forward for marriage equality in New York State

NYTimes Albany Bureau reporter Jeremy Peters has just posted a story on Gov. David Paterson's order to all state agencies to revise their policies in order to recognize marriages of same-sex couples that have been legally performed out-of-state (in places like Canada and now California). The move is highly significant because, as the article says directly "short of an act by the Legislature, the directive ordered by Mr. Paterson is the one of the strongest statements a state can make in favor of gay unions."

Gov. Paterson announced his intention to do this at the Pride Agenda's Spring Dinner in Rochester on Sat., May 17. See the video of this announcement below:

Peters' story also mentions "as many as 1,300 statutes and regulations in New York governing everything from joint filing of income tax returns to transferring fishing licenses between spouses." This number was taken from a report that the Pride Agenda and the New York City Bar Association released last year cataloguing every single right, responsibility and statute that comes with a marriage license in New York State. It was the first (and is so far the only) catalogue of what a state can provide through a marriage license (which is separate from the rights and protections provided by the federal government).

Stay tuned from more from us on this.

Governor Paterson speaks out on marriage equality, safe schools and transgender protections

Last night several of us from the Pride Agenda attended the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force’s New York Leadership Awards dinner in New York City where Governor David Paterson was honored for his longstanding work on behalf of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) rights.

The Pride Agenda’s Executive Director Alan Van Capelle was to have introduced the Governor to the crowd, but due to ongoing budget negotiations in Albany the Governor was unable to attend. Instead Alan introduced top Paterson aide Sean Maloney who accepted the award on behalf of the Governor. After brief remarks, Maloney let the Governor do the rest of the talking through his video message, which as you will see is both humorous and heartfelt.

Not only did Governor Paterson renew his vow “to push on until we bring full marriage equality to New York state,” he also promised to fight for an end to bullying in schools due to bias and discrimination protections for transgender New Yorkers -- all issues well over 1000 New Yorkers will be traveling to Albany on April 29 to talk about with their legislators as part of our annual Equality & Justice Day.

New York's new Governor is a longtime ally of the LGBT community

Now that Eliot Spitzer has resigned as governor of New York and we prepare to welcome a new governor, LGBT New Yorkers might be wondering: “who is David Paterson and where does he stand on important issues facing our community?”

Today the Pride Agenda put out the following statement about our new Governor:

“David Paterson’s leadership is a story of commitment to civil liberties and human rights. He believes in equality and justice for all New Yorkers and has demonstrated this time and time again in both words and actions.

He has been a strong and consistent friend of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community ever since he was elected to public office in 1985. He worked hard as a State Senator to help pass hate crimes legislation in 2000 and, in his first weeks as Senate Minority Leader, worked to make sure that there were enough Democratic votes to pass the Sexual Orientation Non-Discrimination Act (SONDA) in 2002.

We are excited to begin working with him as Governor.”

Our community will continue to have an ally and a friend in the Governor of New York--one who has been a strong supporter of all of our key issues and one that is committed to winning a pro-LGBT majority in the State Senate. Our priorities remain the same and our work moves ahead--and I am as optimistic as ever about our future successes.

David Paterson has a long record of support for LGBT New Yorkers. Not only has the Pride Agenda endorsed him many times in his elections to the State Senate, he has been an active supporter as Senate Minority Leader and Lieutenant Governor of the issues that are before us today, including: funding for the health and human services needs of LGBT New Yorkers, safe schools for LGBT youth, statewide non-discrimination protections based upon gender identity and expression, and marriage equality and family protections. In 2002, during the vote on SONDA, he supported an amendment that would have added gender identity and expression protections. And last year in the hours before the historic Assembly vote on the marriage bill, Lt. Gov. Paterson was on the Assembly floor personally urging lawmakers to pass the bill.

He spoke to our community as Senate Minority Leader at Equality and Justice Day in Albany in 2006 and has appeared before groups of our supporters at other times speaking candidly and from the heart about our lives and how we are just as much a part of the state as anyone else.

There's a lot of work to do in 2008--and we should be happy to have a Governor who is on our side and won't hesitate to move our issues forward.

Lt. Gov. Paterson and Sen. Stewart-Cousins at yesterday's Fall Dinner Kick-Off

Pride Agenda board member Alfredo Paredes with Lt. Gov. David Paterson and State Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins

Lt. Governor David Paterson was the guest of honor at our Fall Dinner Kick-Off reception last night, which was held at the home of Pride Agenda board member Sam Rosenblatt in Tribeca . The event officially begins the ramp-up to our biggest fundraiser of the year, the Fall Dinner, which last year brought in more than $1 million dollars. Most of the money raised at the event goes towards our legislative advocacy work and support for candidates who are committed to winning equality and justice for LGBT New Yorkers.

Paterson had just assumed role of Senate Minority Leader when the Sexual Orientation Non-Discrimination Act (SONDA) passed in 2002. Last night he commented that the passage of that bill was one of his proudest moments. He restated his commitment to making sure that marriage for same-sex couples is law in New York State in the very near future. He also shared a personal story about his uncles—a gay couple who had a tremendous positive impact on him as a child.

Sen. Stewart-Cousins with an aide and Pride Agenda board member Reggie Shuford

State Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins (Westchester) was a surprise guest at last night’s event. She also spoke about her strong support for all of the issues that are important to the LGBT community. Pride Agenda Executive Director Alan Van Capelle made it clear that our community would be behind Senator Stewart-Cousins as she prepares for reelection in 2008.

This year’s Fall Dinner is Thursday, October 11.