What it takes to be OUR Miss New York

In a year where we are celebrating the passage of the Dignity for All Students Act, a law to combat LGBT bias-based bullying, harassment and discrimination in the state's public schools and the first New York State law to include protections based on gender identity and expression, we are inspired by advocates who are working so hard to fight discrimination and open the dialogue around the issues facing the LGBT community, and especially our youth.

That is why we are so pleased to invite you to join us at the Empire State Pride Agenda's Fall Dinner on Thursday, October 14, where we will recognize the recipient of our 2010 Douglas W. Jones Leadership Award, Claire Buffie, Miss New York 2010.

For the first time in the 90 year history of the Miss America Pageant, Claire selected LGBT equality as her platform, working to engage and inspire straight allies to understand the discrimination LGBT youth face. Her groundbreaking platform, Straight for Equality: Let's Talk, is based on her past work with organizations such as PFLAG and A Thousand Moms to break the stigma of marginalized youth, eliminate discriminatory vocabulary and change the climate in New York schools by opening the dialogue about equality among youth, teens and adults alike. She, like the majority of New Yorkers, recognizes the unequal treatment that the LGBT community faces and is dedicated instilling pride, dignity and respect in developing minds and compassionate hearts.

Please join us in recognizing her at our 2010 Fall Dinner. The Fall Dinner is our chance to raise critical funds that will go directly to our efforts to increase awareness of our issues and elect supportive candidates for office. We are prepared to change the debate in Albany, support those who stood by us and bring in new legislators who consider our rights a real priority. In the coming weeks, we'll be helping to elect those who have stood by our side as well as new candidates who we can be certain will bring about real change in Albany.

Change happens when our community and our allies, like Claire, come together and support those who can -- and will -- fight for our equality right here in New York. This work can only happen with your generosity -- and with it, we will lead our community to equality and justice. That is why we want you to join us on October 14 and be part of this important night.

You will also be joined by our hosts for the 2010 Fall Dinner, award-winning actress and longtime LGBT advocate, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Bravo's SVP Original Programming and Development and host of Watch What Happens: Live!, Andy Cohen. In addition, you will be joined by opinion makers, celebrities and elected officials from across New York and the country.

And, it is not too late to be added to our invitation -- the deadline is being extended until Wednesday, September 1! Sign up right now, and join our growing list of Table Captains and Sponsors! Join us in celebrating our community and our allies who are committed to supporting our work.

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.

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).

Remembering Senator Kennedy

On October 3, 1996 Senator Ted Kennedy gave the keynote address at the Pride Agenda’s Fall Dinner in New York City. He was a surprise stand-in for Senior Adviser to the President George Stephanopoulos, who at the last minute was unable to fly up from Washington, D.C.

Senator Kennedy got a standing ovation that night from the 1100 people in the Grand Hyatt Ballroom when he walked on stage, and he received thunderous applause many times throughout his speech.

The Senator’s appearance in 1996 came at a terribly disappointing time for the LGBT community. The Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) had shockingly gone down in the U.S. Senate by just one vote on September 10. That same day, in a second slam to LGBT Americans, the Senate passed the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA). A few days later on September 21, President Clinton announced his decision to sign DOMA into law. Senator Kennedy led the unsuccessful fight on the floor to pass ENDA and he condemned the passage of DOMA.

Senator Kennedy gave us hope that night in the ballroom, just as he had so many times before.

When few politicians from either political party would say the word “AIDS” in the 1980s, Senator Kennedy did. He was not embarrassed to stand with us in fighting AIDS when just about every other politician was at best afraid to say anything and at worst just plain happy we were dying. And he was more than just words – he was action. From his post on the Senate Health, Education and Labor Committee he made sure government started providing funding for research, treatment and prevention.

Senator Kennedy told us that night he’d never stop fighting for us and he never did. And he told us to never give up and we never will. While support for our issues is broader today than it was in the 80’s and the 90’s, we’ve obviously still got a lot of work to do.

Thank you Senator Kennedy for making our lives better in so many measurable ways. Thank you for playing such a critical role in putting America on a path that will, with continued hard work, win us our equality.

There is hope and it now resides in us.

Speeches from the 2008 Fall Dinner

Last Monday was our annual Fall Dinner, the Pride Agenda’s biggest fundraising event of the year. With more than 1100 supporters in attendance, we had a great mix of donors, activists, elected officials, and celebrities.

The night kicked off with our fabulous emcee, Whoopi Goldberg. From her sharp political and social commentary, one of our favorite lines of the night was: “If you oppose gay marriage, don't marry a gay person!”

We had a great musical performance from South Pacific’s Kelli O’Hara, and then heard from Pride Agenda Executive Director Alan Van Capelle. Part one of his speech is below:

(Click here for Part 2).

Our keynote speaker was Governor David Paterson, who spoke about his experiences with civil rights battles and pledged to continue to persevere for LGBT legislation, including marriage equality. Part one of his speech is below:

(Click here for Part 2).

Alan also spoke about Ralph Lauren, the recipient of our 2008 Douglas W. Jones Leadership Award. For that speech and more from the Fall Dinner, including Whoopi and our Board Co-chairs, Frank Selvaggi and Kim Kakerbeck, visit the Pride Agenda’s YouTube page here.

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

Speeches from the Fall Dinner

Last Thursday night was our annual Fall Dinner at the Sheraton Hotel & Towers in Midtown Manhattan. The event is the Pride Agenda's largest fundraiser of the year and brought together a mix of donors, activists, elected officials and celebrities.

Speakers at the Dinner included activist/blogger David Mixner, UFT President Randi Weingarten, NYS Senate Minority Leader Malcolm Smith, NYS First Lady Silda Wall Spitzer, Pride Agenda Executive Director Alan Van Capelle and Assemblymember Daniel O'Donnell. Caroline Rhea emceed and LaChanze performed. It was a great evening.

Below are speeches from Mixner, Weingarten and Van Capelle:

(Part 2)

(Part 2 / Part 3 / Part 4)

Other elected officials in attendance were: U.S. Reps. Jerrold Nadler, Anthony Weiner and John Hall; NYC Council Speaker Christine Quinn; NYS Comptroller Tom DiNapoli; NYC Comptroller William Thompson, Jr.; NYS Senators Tom Duane, Marty Conner and Liz Krueger; NYS Assemblymembers Richard Gottfried, Sam Hoyt and Matthew Titone.

And, in case you missed it, our friends at Good As You and Queerty joined the fun, too.

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.