Morning Sweep

The Capitol's editorial board writes that even though the Dec. 2 marriage vote's results were disappointing to same-sex marriage advocates, the bill coming to the floor for a vote was an important event in Albany politics.

In The Life has an excellent video documenting reactions to the marriage bill's defeat, including a great interview with Sen. Diane Savino, whose speech on the floor in support of marriage has won her much admiration in the LGBT community:

Marching On

On December 2, 2009 the New York State Senate rejected a bill that would have allowed same-sex couples to marry. New Yorkers responded to the vote with sadness and anger, but mostly with renewed determination to win. Join the Pride Agenda as we continue fighting for equal rights for all LGBT New Yorkers and our families.

Morning Sweep

Here's some of what's happened during the holiday season:

Mexico City has legalized marriage for same-sex couples.

The New York Times profiles a trans youth worker for the Hetrick-Martin Institute.

With a rise in openly gay candidates winning public office, some political experts say these elections are a better indication of societal attitudes than are high-profile fights over same-sex marriage in states like New York, New Jersey and Maine.

The federal court challenge to California's marriage equality ban is being called "the biggest U.S. gay rights battle next year" and is seen as part of a growing move to build support for marriage equality outside of the election process. The trial is set to begin on Jan. 11 in San Francisco.

Washington D.C. Mayor Adrian M. Fenty signed the District's marriage equality bill. The bill must now pass a 30-day period of Congressional review.

CNN explains the difficulty lesbian and gay members of the military face in keeping their sexual orientation a secret under "Don't Ask, Don't Tell."

Morning Sweep

Paterson's signing of an Executive Order to prohibit discrimination against transgender State employees has encouraged many. Activists and legislators have responded with gratitude and hope for passing the GENDA bill, which would prohibit discrimination in both the public and private sector.

Legislation to extend benefits to same-sex partners of federal employees quietly jumped a preliminary hurdle yesterday. The Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee voted to advance it to the full Senate.

Morning Sweep

Gov. Paterson today signed an Executive Order to prohibit discrimination against transgender State employees. “New York now begins to catch up to where many other states have been for quite a while,” said Pride Agenda Executive Director Alan Van Capelle. “The work is not over, though, until New York enacts a comprehensive law banning discrimination against transgender people.”

Dennis deLeon, NYC's Human Rights commissioner under Mayor David Dinkins and, for 15 years, the president of the Latino Commission on AIDS, has passed away.

The Washington D.C. City Council approved marriage equality legislation yesterday on an 11-2 vote. Mayor Adrian Fenty has promised to sign the bill. Congress has 30 working days to act on the bill, but it has rejected legislation just three times in the past 25 years.

A transgender advocate explains on Huffington Post why employment non-discrimination protections so important.

Morning Sweep

This month's Siena poll finds that 47% of voters surveyed were disappointed that the Senate rejected the marriage bill, compared to 41% who say they were pleased by the Senate’s vote. In August, 50% of voters told Siena that they supported the Senate passing the same sex marriage bill, with 44% then opposing it.

Gov. Paterson will make an important announcement tomorrow regarding a major policy affecting transgender civil rights in New York State.

An impassioned Buffalo News op-ed by Jim Ver Steeg, former executive director of the Pride Center of Western New York, points out the damage done by the Senators who voted "no" on marriage.

Houston has become the largest city to elect an openly gay mayor.

“It’s a historic election for my community, and I believe an election that will change some people’s minds about the city of Houston,” said Annise Parker, 53. “It’s a diverse, international city that welcomes everyone.”

'Tis the season to support marriage equality

This jolly fellow resides in Delmar, NY. His snapshot was sent to us by a Pride Agenda supporter.

Morning Sweep

LGBT activists in Queens are eager to oust local State Senators who voted against the marriage bill, and couples in the area are ready to act.

Lisa Linsky, a member of the Pride Agenda's Pride In My Workplace program and partner at McDermott Will & Emery LLP, writes eloquently on Huffington Post about why the protections of marriage are necessary for same-sex couples.

Rep. Jerrold Nadler, the sponsor of the U.S. House bill to overturn DOMA, says that there will be no attempt to pass the bill in 2010 and that serious work on the repeal probably won't begin until 2013.

David Mixner shares his top 10 LGBT news stories of the year.

Morning Sweep

The expected vote on New Jersey's marriage bill that was scheduled for today has been canceled. Instead, the bill will go to the state's Assembly for a hearing first.

The New York Times urges New Jersey to hurry up and vote on the bill before Gov. Corzine leaves offices on Jan. 19.

In the wake of widespread international condemnation of Uganda's anti-gay bill, the death penalty and life imprisonment for gay people will reportedly be dropped from the legislation.

A San Francisco bay-area board of education is taking an unfortunate step backwards and plans to phase out an elementary school curriculum it adopted to prevent anti-gay bullying, reportedly "under the duress of a lawsuit and threats of recall."

Morning Sweep

LGBT rights groups in NY are gearing up for an active election year. "We are going to begin a very strategic and steady rollout over the course of the next months of candidates who we feel would make better state senators than the people currently sitting in the seats," said Pride Agenda Executive Director Alan Van Capelle.

Marriage activists tell Politico that despite this year's losses, marriage equality in the U.S. is "inevitable."

Bill Hammond's column in the Daily News highlights the courageous statements of the Senate Democrats who voted in support of marriage and the cowardly silence of those who voted "no."

The Advocate has named Senator Kirsten Gillibrand one of their people of the year for her advocacy on LGBT rights.

Proposed legislation in Uganda that would, among many other extreme punishments, impose the death penalty for some gay Ugandans, is being debated. The bill has sparked international protests from governments, human rights advocates and some religious groups.

Morning Sweep

The Empire State Pride Agenda announced today its endorsement of Assemblymember José Peralta in the 2010 Democratic Primary Election for State Senate District 13 in Queens. Assemblymember Peralta is challenging Hiram Monserrate, the incumbent State Senator who last week reneged on a stated commitment in a 2008 Pride Agenda candidate questionnaire to support marriage equality legislation and voted "no" instead.

Thanks to a donation from the Episcopal Community Services of Long Island, the Ali Forney Center has expanded to include a new new 16-bed shelter in Astoria, Queens for homeless LGBT youth.

The New Jersey Senate Judiciary Committee on Monday voted 7-6 to pass the state's marriage equality bill. The full state Senate is expected to vote on the measure this Thursday.

In response to the anti-gay Manhattan Declaration, a statement signed by a group of anti-gay faith leaders, a group of LGBT equality advocates of faith have drafted The Affirmation Declaration, which "calls for pro-LGBT people of faith to sign on as supporters of civil equality."

Morning Sweep

The Buffalo News featured a series of opinion pieces on the marriage loss in New York, including an editorial calling the vote "appalling" and commentary featuring a local same-sex couple.

The Hudson Valley Daily Freeman also editorializes on its disappointment over the loss.

The Daily News reports that "gay advocates are on the warpath" to oust the eight NY Senate Democrats who voted "no" on marriage.

New Jersey's Senate Judiciary Committee is expected to hear testimony and vote on the state's marriage equality bill today. If the legislation passes, it would be sent to the full state Senate for a vote as early as next Thursday.

The New Jersey Star-Ledger editorializes in favor of marriage passing and argues that as younger generations become more supportive of marriage for same-sex couples, it is a matter of when and not if this legislation will eventually pass.

The New Jersey Record also states its support.

Openly gay U.S. Reps. are optimistic that the House will pass bills that would provide health coverage to the partners of gay federal employees and protect gay and transgender workers from workplace discrimination.

A Washington State Senator celebrates his state's decision to uphold domestic partnership rights and lays out a plan for winning full marriage equality in the future.

The Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund has filed an employment discrimination suit against an Orlando McDonald's after learning that a manager had left a derogatory voicemail for a transgender applicant implying that he would not hire her because of her gender identity.

Morning Sweep

Last night's rally in Union Square brought out hundreds of marriage equality supporters who are dedicated to continuing the fight.

Gay City News and Towleroad have great pictures of the rally.

NYC Council Speaker Christine Quinn spoke emotionally yesterday about the defeat of the marriage bill.

New Jersey's marriage bill will go before the state's Senate Judiciary Committee on Monday and then to full Senate next Thursday.

Morning Sweep

Much is being written on yesterday's disappointing marriage loss in the Senate, including stories in the Associated Press, New York Times and Gay City News.

Pride Agenda Executive Director Alan Van Capelle, quoted in the Observer: "It's a defeat today, but it's not a defeat for marriage equality," he said. "We had some of the most extraordinary speeches delivered on the floor of the Senate that I've ever seen delivered in all my time up in Albany. We had people share stories about their families, about their loss, that I don't think we've heard before, and I think we've seen what we asked for happen. We know have a road map for 2010 and the work we have to do."

Here are some of the amazing, inspiring stories shared by Senators in support of marriage during the debate.

The New York Times, Journal News and Albany Times Union editorial boards lament the loss.

Jo-Ann Shain and Mary Jo Kennedy, longtime marriage activists, comment on the loss. The two were litigants in the 2006 Hernandez v. Robles case, in which the New York State Court of Appeals ruled that there was no constitutional mandate to allow same-sex couples to marry in New York and that the issue should be decided by the state legislature.

Comments from the opposition just help to solidify our resolve for the future.

Pride Agenda statement and Senate marriage vote tally

Click here to read Pride Agenda Executive Director Alan Van Capelle's statement on today's marriage vote loss in the Senate.

Below, in alphabetical order, is the record of how Senators voted on the marriage bill. To find out who your Senator is, click here.

• Eric Adams (D) — YES
• Joseph Addabbo (D) — NO
• James Alesi (R) — NO
• Darrel Aubertine (D) — NO
• John Bonacic (R) — NO
• Neil Breslin (D) — YES
• John DeFrancisco (R) — NO
• Ruben Diaz (D) — NO
• Martin Malave Dilan (D) — YES
• Tom Duane (D) — YES
• Pedro Espada (D) — YES
• Hugh Farley (R) — NO
• John Flanagan (R) — NO
• Brian Foley (D) — YES
• Charles Fuschillo, Jr. (R) — NO
• Martin Golden (R) — NO
• Joseph Griffo (R) — NO
• Kemp Hannon (R) — NO
• Ruth Hassell-Thompson (D) — YES
• Shirley Huntley (D) — NO
• Craig Johnson (D) — YES
• Owen Johnson (R) — NO
• Jeffrey Klein (D) — YES
• Liz Krueger (D) — YES
• Carl Kruger (D) — NO
• Andrew Lanza (R) — NO
• Bill Larkin (R) — NO
• Kenneth LaValle (R) — NO
• Vincent Leibell (R) — NO
• Tom Libous (R) — NO
• Elizabeth Little (R) — NO
• Carl Marcellino (R) — NO
• George Maziarz (R) — NO
• Roy McDonald (R) — NO
• Hiram Monserrate (D) — NO
• Velmanette Montgomery (D) — YES
• Thomas Morahan (R) — NO
• Michael Nozzolio (R) — NO
• George Onorato (D) — NO
• Suzi Oppenheimer (D) — YES
• Frank Padavan (R) — NO
• Kevin Parker (D) — YES
• Bill Perkins (D) — YES
• Michael Ranzenhofer (R) — NO
• Joseph Robach (R) — NO
• Stephen Saland (R) — NO
• John Sampson (D) — YES
• Diane Savino (D) — YES
• Eric Schneiderman (D) — YES
• Jose Serrano (D) — YES
• James Seward (R) — NO
• Dean Skelos (R) — NO
• Malcolm Smith (D) — YES
• Daniel Squadron (D) — YES
• William Stachowski (D) — NO
• Toby Ann Stavisky (D) — YES
• Andrea Stewart-Cousins (D) — YES
• Antoine Thompson (D) — YES
• David Valesky (D) — YES
• Dale Volker (R) — NO
• George Winner (R) — NO
• Catherine Young (R) — NO
  

TOTAL: 24 YES, 38 NO

Morning Sweep

Late last night, the New York State Assembly passed marriage equality legislation for the second time this year. By re-voting in “extraordinary session,” the Assembly has removed any obstacle to the bill being sent to the Governor for his signature when the Senate votes on the bill.

In a preliminary vote yesterday, the D.C. Council approved the marriage equality bill by a vote of 11-2. The measure must pass another vote in that chamber before it goes to the mayor for his signature and then Congress for review.

Parenting magazine has an excellent story on how parents can approach the issues faced by LGBT and questioning youth.

Morning Sweep

Today is World AIDS Day. Here's a roundup of some of the year's most important news on HIV/AIDS.

The Washington D.C. Council is expected to vote in favor of same-sex marriage today.

Marriage equality activists in California are still divided over whether to return marriage to the ballot in 2010 or 2012.

Newsweek profiles a Brazilian man who was recently granted asylum in the U.S. to escape the anti-gay violence he experienced in his home country.

Morning Sweep

We hope you had a happy Thanksgiving! Here's an update on some of the news over the holiday:

The New York Times reports that the passing marriage could play a favorable role in the state's budget crisis: NY could expect to take in more than $50 million a year in new revenue from the legalization of same-sex marriage, from a combination of marriage license and tourism revenue.

Activists in New Jersey are lobbying for marriage there.

The L.A. Times writes forcefully against the "Manhattan Declaration," an anti-gay letter released last week by a group of Catholic, Protestant and Orthodox leaders.

The government of Portugal may soon legalize marriage for same-sex couples.

Transgender Day of Remembrance Panel and Vigil in the Capital District

The Pride Agenda's Transgender Rights Program Organizer Ejay Carter reports back from our recent Transgender Day of Remembrance event:

The Empire State Pride Agenda worked with In Our Own Voices, the Capital District Gay and Lesbian Community Council, the NYS Coalition Against Sexual Assault (NYSCASA) and local advocates Moonhawk River Stone and Jaye McBride to host a Transgender Day of Remembrance Panel and Vigil in Albany on Wednesday, November 18, 2009. The event, held at the First Congregational Church in Albany, drew 85 attendees, including transgender activists and allies from both the Pride in the Pulpit and Pride in Our Union programs.

Panelists included the family members of Lateisha Green, a young African-American trans woman shot and killed in Syracuse in 2008; Moonhawk River Stone, a longtime transgender advocate and educator; Julia Hall, Outreach Project Director for NYSCASA; and Tara Ramsey, a member of In Our Own Voices and survivor of hate violence. Ejay Carter, Transgender Rights Program Organizer for the Pride Agenda, moderated as panelists discussed their experiences--both personal and professional--with bias crimes and violence, including prevention measures. Each of the speakers spoke on ways in which their lives had been touched by violence, and yet each focused on the importance for transgender New Yorkers of being free to be who we are, regardless of transphobia and other forms of hate and discrimination.

Following the panel, attendees were led in a vigil for victims of bias crimes based on gender identity and expression by the Reverend Diane Marquit, and volunteers read out loud the names of those who had perished as a result of transphobic hate crimes in the last several years. While it was a solemn occasion to remember those who have lost their lives to bias crimes, participants also took the opportunity to come together and think about ways to move forward. Conversations around legislation followed the vigil, and participants signed letters in support of the Gender Expression Non Discrimination Act (GENDA), which would prohibit discrimination against transgender individuals in New York State. These letters, along with close to 2,000 others collected in the past several months, will be delivered to Senators in the coming weeks.

To learn more about transgender rights in New York State and to get involved in working to pass the GENDA bill, please contact Ejay Carter, the Transgender Rights Organizer at 518-472-3330 x306 or ecarter@prideagenda.org

Morning Sweep

New Jersey's marriage bill has an uncertain future. And NOM is at it again, this time in the Garden State, where they're taking their hateful lies to the airwaves.

FBI data released Monday showed that hate crimes based on sexual orientation rose by nearly 11 percent in 2008, while the number of overall reported hate crime incidents increased by about two percent.

Rulings last week by two federal judges that the U.S. government must extend benefits to the same-sex spouses of federal employees may be paving the way to these benefits being granted.

Morning Sweep

Hundreds gathered at the vigil in Manhattan on Sunday evening for Jorge Mercado, the openly gay teen who was brutally murdered in Puerto Rico.

Two men have been indicted on hate crime charges in the June assault on a transgender woman in Queens.

U.S. Senator from NY Kirsten Gillibrand has been phoning State Senators to ask them to support the marriage bill.

A legislative session begins in New Jersey today, and the marriage bill could be on the agenda.

The Associated Press covered memorials held on the Transgender Day of Remembrance last week.

Legislative hearings on the repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" will likely be postponed until next year.

The New York Times editorial board urges D.C. legislators to work with local Catholic charities to find a way to accommodate their needs so they will continue to provide services if same-sex marriage legislation is passed--but not to compromise on legislators' commitment to civil rights in the process.

Morning Sweep

New York's top court yesterday rejected the anti-gay Alliance Defense Fund's legal challenge that sought to take away some government protections granted to same-sex couples married in other jurisdictions and now living in NY.

Liz Benjamin explains what the ruling means for LGBT New Yorkers.

Some D.C. Council members are attempting to reach a compromise with the Catholic Archdiocese of Washington so Catholic Charities will not end its social services contracts with the District if marriage equality is extended to gay couples.

The New York Times writes about schools adjusting their dress codes to accommodate the changing times, including students whose clothing of choice isn't traditional for their gender.

Gender verification test results have been determined for Caster Semenya, the 18-year-old South African runner who made headlines for having her gender questioned by sports officials, but they won't be made public. “We urge all South Africans and other people to respect this professional, ethical and moral way of doing things,” officials said.

Pride in Our Union: Pride and Solidarity in Action

The Pride Agenda's Upstate Director of Pride In Action Sheilah Sable reports back from our recent Pride in Our Union event:

The Pride in Our Union program held an educational forum for LGBT union members, staff and leaders and their allies on Saturday, November 14th at the CUNY Murphy Center in New York. The forum was called “Pride and Solidarity in Action.”

There were over 40 LGBT union activists and allies from a dozen different unions: CSEA, UFT, 1199 SEIU UHWE, 32BJ, Local 375 DC 37 AFSCME, UUP, CWA Local 1180, NYCDCC Local 157 and Local 926, RWDSU, NYSUT, Local 2110 UAW and SSA/1199 SEIU.

The first panel covered Best Practices for Union Benefits, and included a discussion about marriage recognition, domestic partnerships and trans health care led by James Staley of CSEA Local 010 and Chair of CSEA’s New York City LGBT Committee, Nicole Aniello of the Brooklyn Local 926 of the New York City Carpenter’s Union, and Pride Agenda Program Director Desma Holcomb.

Mid-day, there were small group conversations around how to navigate challenging discussions among union members, where issues of religion, race, homophobia, transphobia and other areas of cultural competency can be a challenge. Kevin McGruder, a lay leader member of Pride in the Pulpit and Kele Nkhereanye, an activist from Less AIDS Lesotho and a member of TWU 100, were instrumental in keeping the conversation productive and on point. Danny Jimenez of the Education and Development Department of 1199 SEIU and Pride Agenda Foundation Board member, Jeff Oshins of DC 37/Local 375’s Labor and Political Activity Committee and Co-Chair and Secretary of LAGIC (Lesbian and Gay Issues Committee), and Neil Kirby of CSEA Local 010 and Chair of the Political Action Committee, lead these discussions.

Finally, we heard about solidarity: how the LGBT movement can support union folks in campaigns for fair wages and social justice and how unions have supported the LGBT movement for marriage equality, transgender non-discrimination and an end to bullying in schools. Rona Freiser, Queens Borough Representative of UFT, described how support for LGBT issues starts with classroom teachers interrupting bullying and extends through resolutions in support of legislation right up to direct lobbying by the NYC and now national union President Randi Weingarten. Phil Andrews, Coordinator of the Retail Action Project of RWDSU, demonstrated how a campaign for fair wages and decent treatment at a downtown retailer forged mutual respect between young LGBT retail clerks and older Muslim African immigrant stock workers. Pride Agenda and LGBT movement support for this kind of campaign builds a stronger labor movement that can give more powerful support to LGBT issues as well.

Pride in Our Union encourages unions in all sectors of the labor movement in New York State to be free of discrimination and to bargain and advocate on behalf of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) members and their families. In solidarity, we work to build a movement that calls for respect for diversity and advances the goal of social and economic justice for all. You can download our Labor Movement Handbook of best practices here or contact Pride in Our Union coordinator and Upstate Director for Pride in Action Sheilah Sable at ssable@prideagenda.org.

Morning Sweep

The D.C. Board of Elections and Ethics has ruled that a proposed measure aimed at banning marriage equality in the District cannot go on the ballot because it would violate the District's Human Rights Act. The Council will vote on marriage on Dec. 1.

Legal delays on ENDA could delay the legislation from being voted on until February.

Police say that a suspect has been arrested in the slaying of Jorge Steven Lopez Mercado, a 19-year-old openly gay Puerto Rican man who was found decapitated, dismembered and partially burned on Friday.

The Washington Post laments the closing of The Washington Blade, the 40-year-old LGBT news publication.

Morning Sweep

The President of the New York State Bar Association penned a letter to the editor in support of passing the marriage bill.

City Hall profiles Jimmy Van Bramer, one of the two new, openly gay NYC Council members from Queens.

The New York Times City Room blog writes on SAGE's efforts to provide support for LGBT caregivers of elderly family members.

The Times also profiles Sara Buechner, a successful classical pianist who came out as a transgender woman after having established herself as a musical professional.

California LGBT rights group pushing to return marriage to the ballot in 2010 have kicked off their campaign to collect petition signatures.

A gay couple was granted a marriage license in Buenos Aires on Monday after a judge ruled that a ban on gay marriage equality violates Argentina's constitution.

2009 Transgender Day of Remembrance

Friday, Nov. 20 is the Transgender Day of Remembrance, a national day established in 1998 to memorialize transgender and gender non-conforming individuals who have been killed because of who they are. The Day of Remembrance is also a day to raise public awareness and increase education about anti-transgender violence, and it’s a chance to renew our commitment to ending the prejudice and discrimination that leads to these crimes.

There are events taking place across New York State, and the Pride Agenda will be attending many in an effort to continuously raise awareness about transgender issues and to build support for the Gender Expression Non Discrimination Act (GENDA). We hope that you will join us at one of these events--click here to find one near you. In addition, to find out more about how you can get involved with the GENDA coalition in efforts to pass New York's transgender non-discrimination legislation, contact Pride Agenda transgender rights organizer Ejay Carter at ecarter@prideagenda.org or 518-472-3330 ext 306.

Buffalo News calls on Senate to pass the marriage bill

Yesterday, The Buffalo News called on the State Senate to pass the marriage bill. The powerful editorial is below.

Approve gay marriage

What the New York Legislature giveth, it is loathe to take away. Even when the state is in a $3.2 billion budget hole, and the tax-the-rich well has gone dry, lawmakers apparently cannot bring themselves to cut back on any of the annual entitlements they give to everything from public employees unions to local pork projects.

But there is a gift that members of the New York Senate could bestow upon many of their fellow citizens, one that has the rare political benefit of not costing their taxpayers, their interest groups — even their long-suffering constituents — a single thing.

The Senate should approve the bill to legalize same-sex marriage in New York. The Assembly already has passed it. Gov. David A. Paterson is primed to sign it. Justice demands it. And no single person in the state of New York will, despite what many fervently believe, be any the worse for it.

When the state performs any function of civil authority, it must do so in a way that plays no favorites. Clearly, for the state to officially recognize an opposite-sex marriage between two consenting adults while refusing that same recognition to two same-sex partners is an act of discrimination that serves no legitimate state purpose.

The government's proper role in marriage is to register and, if necessary, enforce the contract entered into by two self-aware adults. If the couple lives happily ever after, the state's role is limited to that of dutiful file clerk. If not, the state may be required to step in to settle disputes involving property, support and custody of minor children.

The role of the state in settling such problems, though far from perfect in practice, does help non-working spouses or dependent children survive a dissolution, financially if not emotionally. Sexuality has no bearing on that function.

Opponents of same-sex marriage make much of the fact that, when the question was put to voters in liberal California and libertarian Maine, both states rejected it. But those votes, driven in no small part by scare tactics, are not good examples for an elected Legislature to follow.

In California, opponents falsely argued that churches would be forced to give their support to same-sex marriage if the state did. In Maine, the largely out-of-state campaign focused on the shibboleth, futilely refuted by the state's attorney general, that schools would be forced to "teach" same-sex marriage if such a thing existed in the Pine Tree State.

A state law recognizing gay marriage would govern only the actions of the state. No church would be required to sanctify a union it objected to. No school would be forced to sing its praises by that law.

Same-sex marriage is now legal in several nations, including Canada and the United Kingdom, and in five U.S. states, from New England to Iowa. Harm to opposite-sex couples, their children and their households, there or anywhere: Non-existent.

A gift that costs the giver nothing. Sounds tailor-made for New York politics.

Morning Sweep

The New York Times points out yet another area where same-sex couples are disadvantaged without legal marriage: the difficulty of last name changes.

An AP video report on marriage in New York features a poignant quote from a local NYC couple: "We share what I consider to be a great love and a great commitment and devotion to each other. And I think that when all is said and done, that should be all that matters."

The New Jersey Daily Record urges the state to pass a marriage bill soon so Gov. Jon Corzine can sign it before he leaves office in Jan. Corzine will be replaced by anti-marriage Republican Chris Christie.

The American Medical Association voted this week to pass resolutions declaring that bans on same-sex marriages contribute to health disparities; and to oppose "Don't Ask, Don't Tell."

Morning Sweep

In a radio interview earlier this week, Pride Agenda Executive Director Alan Van Capelle discussed the Senate Majority Leadership's commitment to vote on marriage before the end of the year, saying: "I don't believe they would have reached that agreement with us if they didn't have consensus within their membership about it. I believe the commitment they made. I believe it was sincere, that they want to address this issue before the end of this year, and I have every reason to take them at this year."

Gay City News summarizes the work that led up to the Senate Majority Leadership's commitment for a vote by the end of 2009.

Gay City's Paul Schindler writes that now is "no time for retreat" on our issues.

Democratic leaders in Congress may try to repeal the military’s “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy as part of next year’s defense authorization bill.

Connecticut celebrated one full year of marriage equality yesterday. The state has so far married 2,291 same-sex couples.

Washington, D.C.-based Catholic Charities, a Catholic organization that contracts with the state to provide social services, has threatened to sever it's ties with the District if same-sex marriage is passed.

Morning Sweep

Last night after the special session of the Senate ended, Gov. Paterson announced that an agreement has been reached to have a vote on the same sex marriage bill at "a date not certain between now and the end of the year." The Senate Majority conference has pledged to commit their time and energy to making marriage equality a reality in the state of New York. Read the Pride Agenda's Action Alert on the commitment here.

Same-sex marriage passed its first hurdle in D.C. yesterday when the Council's Committee on Public Safety and the Judiciary voted 4-1 to send legislation to the full council for debate. The council is expected to take up and pass the bill early next month.

Salt Lake City became the first city in Utah yesterday to enact an LGBT-inclusive employment and housing non-discrimination ordinance.

Marriage on the Senate agenda TODAY - Email and call now!

As you already know, Gov. Paterson has put the marriage bill on the State Senate’s agenda for TODAY, November 10. Just yesterday in his address to the joint session of the legislature, the Governor reiterated his support for our community and his desire to see the marriage bill become law.

Now we need supporters of the marriage bill to reach out to our Senators and make sure our families are in their thoughts as they head to the Senate floor. Click here to email your Senator. You can also use the click-to-call tool below to call him or her now.

Morning Sweep

Gov. Paterson has put marriage for same-sex couples on the State Senate's agenda when they return to Albany on Nov. 10. Read the Pride Agenda's statement on this here.

As a result of Tuesday's election, four members of the New York City Council will be openly gay -- more than ever before in the council's history.

Two men have been arrested in an allegedly anti-gay hate crime in Long Island.

Marriage advocates in New Jersey are angling for a vote on marriage before supportive Gov. Jon Corzine leaves office in January. Corzine was defeated by anti-marriage Republican Chris Christie in Tuesday's election.

The votes are still being counted on Washington state's Referendum 71, but the measure is expected to pass. The expansion of rights for same-sex domestic partners will mark the first time a state's voters have approved an LGBT equality measure at the ballot box.

The New York Times' Economics blog covers the special economic needs of transgender people in a surprisingly engaging way.

Andrew Sullivan gets down to the root of anti-marriage equality activists' common tactic of exploiting some parents' fears about the misconception that marriage for gay couples could affect school curriculum.

Jeremy Hooper's explanation of why losing in Maine is so infuriating is the perfect short, passionate and eloquent expression of the feelings of so many in the LGBT community and their allies.

Morning Sweep

LGBT leaders in New York remain optimistic about the possibility of a marriage vote in the State Senate.

Flatbush Senator Kevin Parker is calling on the State Senate to bring marriage equality to the floor.

Defeat in Maine has led many in the LGBT community to begin questioning current strategies for winning equality.

A NYC taxi driver is facing possible disciplinary action after kicking two men out of his cab for hugging.

Morning Sweep

As yesterday's election results still pour in, same-sex marriage advocates react with grief and anger over the loss in Maine.

Numbers are still too close to call on Washington's domestic partner benefits, but seem narrowly in favor of passing the measure.

Good news out of Kalamazoo, MI -- the city has voted to add sexual orientation and gender identity to its non-discrimination policy.

In other results, Michael Bloomberg, a supporter of marriage for same-sex couples, has won a third term as mayor of New York City. New Jersey Gov. Jon Corzine, a marriage supporter, has also lost to Republican challenger Chris Christie.

Activists in New York celebrate a win in the 23rd Congressional District, where Democrat Bill Owens has defeated Republican Douglas Hoffman in a district that has had Republican representation for over a century. The win repudiates claims that marriage was a wedge issue for voters in this district.

The Wisconsin Supreme Court heard arguments yesterday that it's 2006 ban of marriage for same-sex couples and civil unions was unconstitutional. The court is expected to rule on the issue by next summer.

Morning Sweep

LGBT advocates anxiously await today's results on Question 1 in Maine.

Some believe that regardless of the outcome in Maine, marriage for same-sex couples is coming soon to several states.

New Census data shows more similarities between same-sex and opposite-sex families.

Morning Sweep

The New York Times editorializes on current political battles for LGBT rights, and highlights New York as a "particularly frustrating" situation: "We do not have a precise head count. But we suspect that once the bill got to the floor, a majority of the Senate’s 62 members would recognize that same-sex marriage is a fundamental civil right. Continuing to delay a vote shows disrespect for New York citizens injured by the status quo. The time for a vote is right now."

A Brooklyn trial judge has found that a transgender non-biological parent has custody rights in a dispute over the child he has helped raise.

Chris Christie, a Republican challenger for governor in New Jersey, is attempting to use marriage equality as a wedge issue in the 11th hour.

As expected, Obama has announced that the 22-year-old ban on travelers with HIV coming to the U.S. will been lifted.

The U.S. Department of Justice has argued in court papers in the lawsuit filed by the state of Massachusetts that states allowing same-sex couples to marry can't force the federal government to provide protections to those couples because of DOMA. Although this position runs contrary to the Obama administration's desire to repeal DOMA, the DOJ has an obligation to side with Congress and defend any reasonable laws they pass.

Tomorrow's vote in Maine will decide whether the state will accept or reject marriage for same-sex couples. But Maine Gov. John Baldacci, who supports marriage for same-sex couples, says he doesn't see this as a national issue -- he's "just thinking about Maine."

The ballot measure in Washington regarding domestic partnership benefits has brought attention to the nature of petitions and whether the names of their signers should be a matter of public record.

Much attention is also being paid to tomorrow's vote in Kalamazoo, Michigan, where voters will decide whether to add sexual orientation and gender identity to the city's non-discrimination ordinance.

San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom, a longtime vocal advocate for LGBT equality, has dropped his bid to become governor of CA.

Fall Dinner in the News

Since last week, the Fall Dinner has generated much important media coverage on the fight for marriage equality in New York State. It has also helped draw attention to other LGBT issues. And last but not least, it’s led to some fun fashion and celebrity news as well! Here’s a roundup of some significant stories:

Joe.My.God, Gay City News and Newsday have great summaries of the evening's events, and The Daily Politics’ Liz Benjamin writes extensively on Executive Director Alan Van Capelle's speech, U.S. Senator Schumer's keynote, and Gov. Paterson's statements.

Major news outlets and blogs in New York and across the country wrote on Paterson’s statements at the Dinner and after that he will put marriage at the top of the agenda for the Senate’s upcoming special session, including: Gannett, the AP, NY1, ABC News, The Advocate, WSYR Syracuse, Politics on the Hudson, and Towleroad.

Politico wrote on Schumer’s comments about politicians changing their mind of marriage.

And just for fun:

Page Six highlighted Margaret Cho’s comedy at the Dinner.

Comedy Central’s blog summary of Schumer’s comments at the Dinner made us laugh.

We agree: the Hathaway family is “genetically blessed,” and Anne certainly “lights up the room” with her lovely smile.

Morning Sweep

Obama is expected to announce an end to the HIV Travel and Immigration Ban during a signing ceremony for the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Treatment Extension Act scheduled for today.

David Mixner shares his experience at the signing ceremony for the hate crimes bill.

Argentina may become the first Latin American country to legalize marriage for same-sex couples.

Morning Sweep

Yesterday's signing of the the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act enacts one of many campaign promises the Obama administration has made to the LGBT community.

Moonhawk Riverstone, a former Pride Agenda Board Director, writes a letter to the editor in the Albany Times Union on the lack of attention paid to the transgender component of the hate crimes bill, which will protect the entire LGBT community.

Many of those testifying against marriage for same-sex couples in D.C. focused on claims that lesbians and gays "choose their lifestyle."

Morning Sweep

Some community leaders in Queens are encouraged by the recent passage of the hate crimes bill.

The New York Times highlights the importance of the fight for marriage in Maine. If the referendum doesn't pass and marriage is upheld, it will mark the first victory at the ballot box on this issue - 30 states have voted to ban marriage for same-sex couples, but none have yet voted to uphold it.

Maine Gov. John Baldacci is urging voters to cast their ballot against the referendum.

A growing number of LGBT asylum seekers are arguing before U.S. immigration courts that anti-LGBT violence and threats in their home countries make it too dangerous for them to return.

An interesting visual analysis of public polling data on marriage equality and other LGBT issues suggests in many states, "legal and policy responses (whether from the legislative or judicial branch) lag behind much more liberal popular opinion."

Scenes from the 2009 Fall Dinner

Last Thursday was our 18th annual Fall Dinner, the Pride Agenda’s biggest fundraising event of the year. With more than 1200 supporters in attendance, we had a great mix of donors, activists, elected officials and celebrities.

The night kicked off with our hilarious emcee, Margaret Cho, who kept us laughing with her colorful sense of humor!

We then heard from Pride Agenda Executive Director Alan Van Capelle, who reminded us that in regards to the marriage bill:

“…the time for making cases is past. The time for petty partisan finger pointing is past. The time for lame excuses, for botched maneuvers and simple, plain old foot dragging is past. The time to get this bill to the floor of the New York state Senate is now. The time for the state Senate to acknowledge our existence is now the time for us to hear our lives - our lives! - debated on the floor of the New York state Senate is now."

We had a great musical performance from actor, singer and activist Alan Cumming, with Lance Horne leading the band.

Our keynote speaker was U.S. Senator Charles Schumer, who spoke about his experiences fighting for equal rights for LGBT people on the federal level. He praised the Senate for passing the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act earlier that day, and pledged to continue to work on reform for our community, including repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” Part one of his speech is below:

(Click here for Part 2).

We also welcomed special speaker Governor Paterson, who pledged to put the marriage bill on the Senate’s agenda as soon as it comes back for its extraordinary session.

Part one of his speech is below:

(Click here for Part 2).

Finally, we honored the Hathaway family – actress Anne, her parents Gerald & Kate, and brothers Thomas and Michael, as well as Michael’s husband Joshua Lawson.

As the recipients of our 2009 Douglas W. Jones Leadership Award, the Hathaways are an inspiring example of the important role that families play in our movement.

Thanks again to everyone who helped make the Fall Dinner a success!

(Photos courtesy of Doug Meszler and Steve DiMaio).

Morning Sweep

Sorry for our absence...we've been recovering from the 2009 Fall Dinner! We'll recap the event in an upcoming post. Now, on to the news:

Gov. Paterson has stated that he wants to bring the NY Senate back for a special session on November 10, and he has promised to put marriage on the agenda for this session.

The Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act passed the U.S. Senate on Thursday and is set to be signed into law by President Obama tomorrow. Read the Pride Agenda's statement on the bill passing here.

A panel of justices in New York County's Supreme Court ruled last week that a transgender person seeking judicial permission for a name change should not be required to furnish medical documentation supporting the change.

At a town hall meeting at the LGBT Community Center in NYC on Sunday, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand spoke on many issues important to the community, including same-sex marriage, DADT, ENDA, immigration reform and gay persecution in Iraq.

The New York Times writes more on the U.S. district court's refusal to grant a request by backers of the Prop. 8 campaign to dismiss the federal lawsuit against the ban.

Supporters of marriage for same-sex couples in Maine have raised more money than their opponents, but polls are still predicting close results on the Nov. 3 referendum.

More than 250 people will testify for and against marriage equality in D.C. Council hearings.

The federal Housing and Urban Development Department has announced that it is developing regulations to ensure that LGBT people aren't denied access to federally subsidized housing based on sexual orientation or gender identity. The HUD will also commission a first-ever nationwide study to determine the extent of anti-LGBT discrimination in housing sales and rental programs.

Morning Sweep

The Buffalo Common Council held a public hearing yesterday to discuss a proposal to create a citywide domestic partnership registry.

NY Rep. Jerry Nadler and VT Sen. Patrick Leahy urge Congress to pass the Uniting American Families Act, which would allow LGBT Americans to sponsor their non-citizen same-sex partners for permanent residence in the U.S. An estimated 36,000 bi-national same-sex couples would be affected by this law.

A new bill introduced by CA Rep. Pete Stark called the Every Child Deserves a Family Act would seek to prevent bias in adoption and foster care by restricting federal funds for states that discriminate against LGBT applicants.

The Vatican is taking steps to make it easier for Anglicans who are uneasy with their church's acceptance of female priests and openly gay bishops to join the Roman Catholic Church.

No More Waiting - Pride Agenda launches our first-ever click-to-call campaign

This week the Pride Agenda launched our first-ever click-to-call campaign to connect LGBT New Yorkers and their allies directly to their Senators' offices with just a few clicks of the mouse. The time is now to reach out to Senators and let them know that our community won't stand for inaction on the marriage bill any longer--we demand a vote on the vital protections of marriage that our families need and deserve. Click the graphic below and you'll be prompted to enter your information so you can be matched with your Senate district. The service will then call the phone number that you enter and patch you directly through to your Senator's office so that you can tell them you expect them to vote on marriage equality. It's that simple!

Your phone call will only take a few minutes of your time, and calling your Senator is one of the most important things you can do to help win marriage equality before the end of this year. Even if you have called your Senator before, please take the time to do it again now. Keep up the pressure and let Senators know that New Yorkers won't wait any longer for equality!