Pride in the Pulpit Newsletter

At a recent local Pride in the Pulpit meeting, a discussion developed about how clergy in the area can continue to be advocates for LGBT equality. At one point, the conversation shifted to a dialogue about a minister who everyone felt in his heart was in favor of LGBT equality, but for various reasons, pretended to be the opposite. The conversation suddenly came to a halt when a small laugh erupted from the corner of the table. The laugh came from a clergywoman who has attended almost every meeting. She was responsible for encouraging many of her colleagues to be stronger proponents of transgender civil rights and marriage equality. She looked up at the group and said: "We are who we pretend to be. Your heart does me no good if your words don't back it up." With that statement made, the group proceeded to plan their initiatives for the upcoming months.

I think that it is time for New York State to start speaking from its heart. A recent Quinnipiac poll shows that 56% of New Yorkers support marriage for LGBT people. Our own polling indicates that 78% of New Yorkers support GENDA. The heart of New York State beats for LGBT equality, but the words of our laws do not back this up. In 2011, let us work to end this inconsistency. Let us advocate for what is in our hearts and help our government catch up with its people’s moral conscience.

In Peace,

Kate McDonough
Lead Organizer, coordinator of the Pride in the Pulpit program

STATEWIDE NEWS

Kate McDonough's New Position at the Empire State Pride AgendaI am excited to announce that I have recently been promoted to Lead Organizer. In this new role I will continue to oversee the Pride in the Pulpit program, but will have the additional responsibility of coordinating our organizational wide marriage campaign. I would like to thank all of you for your hard work and support of the Pride in the Pulpit program. I look forward to continuing to work with you both through Pride in the Pulpit and in my new capacity as Lead Organizer.

Presbyteries Throughout the Country Vote on Whether or Not to Ordain LGBTQ Clergy
In January, many Presbyteries throughout the country voted on amendment 10-A, which if ratified, will remove all barriers to ordination for called LGBTQ and Queer people. The Presbyteries that voted this month include: Eastminster, Newton, New Castle, Cayuga-Syracuse, Eastern, Virginia, Elizabeth, Genesee Valley, Mid-Kentucky, San Jose, Beaver-Butler, Western, Reserve, Denver, Utica, Sierra Blanca, Long Island, Riverside, Western North Carolina and Huntingdon. Click here to find out how they voted!

The vote count is extremely close and voting on this important amendment will continue into the spring, so be sure to find out when your Presbytery or the Presbytery of someone you know is voting. Click here to find out more information about 10-A and what you can do to help!

In Memory of David Kato of Integrity Uganda
Ugandans and human rights advocates throughout the world mourn and condemn the brutal and senseless murder of gay Ugandan human rights defender, David Kato. He was brutally beaten to death with a hammer on Wednesday, January 26th. Pride in the Pulpit members involved in international LGBT rights knew and worked side by side with Mr. Kato. Our prayers are with them as well as with Mr. Kato's family and the human rights community of Uganda. In honor of David Kato's memory, please read his unpublished op-ed. Take a moment to forward it along to others so that his words can be read and the vision of the Uganda he wished to see does not die with him.

To get involved with the Pride in the Pulpit program, please contact Kate AT prideagenda DOT org.

Let me introduce myself

Hi everybody, I am one of the new interns at the Pride Agenda and would like to introduce myself before the semester really gets going. My name is Geoff Montes and I’m currently a junior at NYU, majoring in politics, with (hopefully) a double major in urban design. I grew up in the suburbs of Washington, DC and moved to New York when I started college. Since coming here I have been consistently impressed with the message of the Pride Agenda and I look forward to joining the discussion about equal rights. I have experience working in local government initiatives as well as in consulting and public relations. I am interested in encouraging acceptance and fostering dialogue about LGBT equality across the state.

News sweep: marriage update

The fight for marriage equality is heating up across the country! New key players are taking a stand, and things look promising for supporters in a number of states.

Iowa Democrats may have lost the House, but they’ve maintained a firm hold on the Senate. Chairman Mike Gronstal previously pledged never to allow any proposals to repeal marriage equality to even make it to a vote, and today Senate Democrats defeated a Republican attempt to suspend the Senate rule that prevents such a vote on marriage from taking place without the approval of Majority Leader Gronstal.

The Religious Freedom and Civil Marriage Protection Act was introduced in the Maryland State Senate last week; a corresponding bill is expected to be taken up in the House. With the recently enlarged Democratic majority in both state houses, the chances of achieving marriage for same-sex couples in Maryland look very good.

Though New Hampshire Republicans might have the voting power to repeal the 2009 marriage equality law, House Majority Leader D.J. Bettencourt has asked that the repeal bill be held until 2012. Bettencourt wishes for the state to focus on budget issues this year.

Rhode Island Democrats have introduced marriage equality bills in both chambers, in hopes that their maintained majorities along with the support of the newly elected Governer Lincoln Chafee will finally allow the bill to come to a vote. Unfortunately, Republican Senate President Teresa Pavia Weed remains opposed to marriage equality.

A Quinnipiac University poll released today has shown that 57 percent of New Yorkers support allowing same-sex couples to marry.

The NYC Star Awards

Last night, the Pride Agenda took over the Vlada Lounge to celebrate the amazing contributions of our volunteers. Delicious food and drinks were enjoyed by all, and staff, board, volunteers, and supporters alike all got to mix and mingle to the fabulous beats of DJ Missy B (Pride Agenda’s own Lead Finance Coordinator Missy Bolds)!

The night revolved around honoring five of our incredible volunteers for all they’ve done for the Pride Agenda. Reverend Anna Taylor Sweringen and Gustavo Pedroza were unable to attend, so Lead Organizer Kate McDonough graciously accepted their awards on their behalf. Rev. Taylor Sweringen was instrumental in building broader support among clergy in Queens and Gustavo was a tireless volunteer on key campaigns in Queens.


Special Events Coordinator Joshua Best presented volunteer Thao Le with a Star Award for her wonderful efforts at many fundraising events. Thao has come to be an integral part of the Pride Agenda’s fundraising work, acting as a leader and always having a smile on her face. Thao told us, “It’s great to be recognized for something you love to do.” Thank you, Thao!


Director of Major Gifts Donnie Roberts presented a Star Award to Dusty Mortimer-Maddox, who “never thought you could get an award for licking envelopes!” In reality, Dusty assists the Pride Agenda with a great number office-related tasks that would never get done without her dedication and attention to detail. The Pride Agenda thanks you, Dusty!


Kelly Canzoneri received her Star Award from Director of Downstate Organizing Desma Holcomb. Kelly began working with the Pride in Our Union effort and is now a shop steward at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Kelly has exhibited her amazing and unique talents both in her own work and in her work with the Pride Agenda, and we couldn’t be more grateful!


Each and every volunteer plays a vital role in this organization’s ability to function and in the movement toward LGBT equality. Thank you so much to each of you. We’re looking forward to another great year!

Sign up to volunteer for your chance to get a Star Award of your own this year.

Yet another poll shows NY wants marriage

This morning Quinnipiac University released a poll showing New York State voters support legislation allowing same-sex couples to marry 56 - 37 percent, the highest margin ever for that poll.

A Siena poll released last week found that 57 percent of New Yorkers agreed with Governor Andrew Cuomo’s support for legalization of same-sex marriage, and last summer the New York Times estimated that 58 percent of New Yorkers are in favor of allowing same-sex couples to marry.

Pride Agenda Executive Director Ross Levi had this to say:

“Polls consistently show that allowing same-sex couples to legally marry has majority support in New York State. We look forward to the governor and the legislature working together to carry out the will of the people and pass this legislation, so loving same-sex couples in New York can finally protect each other and their children just like any other family.”

Angels in America welcomes the Pride Agenda

The cast, crew and award-winning author of the revival of the landmark play ANGELS IN AMERICA: A Gay Fantasia on National Themes welcomed the Pride Agenda for a January 6 performance benefitting the work of the organization. A night at the theater turned out to be a most appropriate start to our year!

Playwright Tony Kushner, a longtime supporter of the Pride Agenda, warmly thanked the audience members before the show for supporting a cause close to his heart.

Afterwards, our executive director, Ross Levi, noted the connections between this historic play and the Empire State Pride Agenda, both created around the same turbulent time in our community’s history. The character Ray Cohn infamously dismisses the movement by declaring “A homosexual is somebody who, in 15 years of trying cannot get a pissant anti-discrimination bill through the City Council.” The Pride Agenda was one of the lead organizations that got a nondiscrimination law passed statewide in a major victory a few years later.

Now celebrating our 20th anniversary, we’re still working to fulfill Pryor Walter’s prophetic vision: “We will be citizens.”

Managing Director of Operations Lynn Faria with Board Member Bill Porter, who plays Belize

Zoe Kazan, who plays Harper, with Board Chair Frank Selvaggi

More photos >

Ask your senator to support the marriage equality and GENDA bills!

You can help kick off the new legislative session in Albany with marriage equality and GENDA bills that are stronger than ever by asking your state senator to support or co-sponsor both. Communication from constituents like you is essential to changing the hearts and minds of elected officials.

Before marriage equality and GENDA are re-introduced for the new 2011-2012 legislative session, state senators have the opportunity to show their support by becoming co-sponsors of the bills. This is a new opportunity for senators to step up and publicly endorse these bills now that the recent elections have shown how supporting our issues is a winning strategy.

Contact your senator right now. Email them through our action center or call them on the New York State Senate switchboard at 518-455-2800 with the reasons why they should support and even co-sponsor these bills:

"As your constituent, it's important to me that all New Yorkers are treated fairly. Will you support both the bill to allow same-sex couples to get married in this state and the Gender Expression Non-Discrimination Act?"

Your work to persuade your senator is vital to regaining the momentum towards the broad bipartisan support that will be necessary to actually pass GENDA and marriage equality into law.

Governor Cuomo has already shown a commitment to LGBT equality and justice by calling for marriage equality this year in his State of the State address, by promptly reissuing the executive order prohibiting discrimination against transgender people in state employment, and by appointing Alphonso David -- an African American gay attorney -- to the newly-created position of Deputy Secretary for Civil Rights. We need the New York State Senate to follow his lead. We need you to call your senator early in the legislative session to tell them why they should reconsider their position on legislation providing marriage for same-sex couples and basic transgender civil rights.

Next step: let us know what happened! If your senator's office responds, please contact our Director of Legislative and Political Affairs Brian Coffin at bcoffin AT prideagenda DOT org and tell us what they said.