Rod 2.0:Beta #gay #news #lgbt #gaynews

PHOTOS: Cheers and "Thank You Gov. Cuomo" Signs at NYC Pride

PHOTOS: REUTERS, GETTY

The undisputed heavyweight at New York City's Pride Parade: Gov. Andrew Cuomo. Thousands of people lined the parade route with signs thanking the governor for making marriage equality a reality.

On Friday, the New York state legislature voted to legalize same-sex marriage. Cuomo signed the bill late Friday night. It will become the law in 30 days. Marriage equality is now the law in states and the District of Columbia.

Cuomo, Council Speaker Christine Quinn and Sen. Thomas Duane AFTER THE JUMP ...

1200+ Expected to Rally for Marriage Equality in Albany

More than 1,200 supporters of marriage equality are expected today in Albany for the Empire State Pride Agenda's Equality & Justice Day.

The annual lobbying and advocacy day begins at 10AM at the Empire State Plaza Convention Center, with remarks from Lt. Gov. Robert Duffy and openly gay lawmakers state Sen. Thomas Duane and Assemblyman Daniel O'Donnell. Gov. Andrew Cuomo is not on the agenda, reports Politics on the Hudson.

Cuomo’s office has not provided an explanation on why he won’t be there, but he has made it clear he wants same-sex marriage passed this session—and it’s one of the issues he plans to tout as part of his statewide tour this week. Cuomo has had an uneven relationship with the gay community, and some have privately continued to question how much Cuomo this year will push Senate Republicans to pass it—the only obstacle for it to become law. The bill has passed the Democratic-led Assembly twice.

Only last week, Cuomo said that he was "optimistic" a marriage bill would pass this session. "I know it's failed before, but I think this is a different day," said the governor.

The Poughkeepsie Journal adds: "The Democrat said he believes the Senate will produce the 32 votes needed for passage in the six weeks remaining in the legislative session. Cuomo said talks with legislative leaders and the rising public poll numbers for gay marriage are among his reasons for optimism. He is also spearheading a new, concerted effort by advocates for same-sex marriage."

Eight Democratic state senators helped defeat marriage by a 38-24 vote in December 2009. Gay City News reported in late April that five state senators who voted against tha bill are now "taking no public position" on the issue.

NY Gov. Andrew Cuomo to Push for Marriage Equality Vote

Some welcome news for gays and lesbians in the Empire State. New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo says he will push for a marriage equality vote this year, reports the New York Times.

Mr. Cuomo, who included legalizing same-sex marriage in his campaign platform, said Wednesday that he intended to ask the Legislature to take up the matter in its current session, which ends in June. "We’ll be working very hard to pass it," the governor, a Democrat, told reporters after delivering an encore of his budget address at Hofstra University on Long Island.

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 issue like legalizing same-sex marriage a priority.

The measure faces an uncertain future. Marriage equality legislation has repeatedly passed the Democrat-dominated New York State Assembly, most recently by an 89-52 vote in May 2009. The vote failed spectacularly when the Senate took it up for the first time in December 2009. The vote was 38-24, with 8 Democrats joining the entire GOP caucus to oppose the bill.

The Senate is now controlled by Republicans. Majority Leader Dean Skelos has repeated a campain pledged not to block the vote, reports The Advocate. "Skelos said that he thinks his chamber is likely to vote on the marriage equality bill by June, and that he would let Sen. Thomas K. Duane, the chamber's only out member, carry the measure."

But the bill still needs GOP votes. Some 26 senators, all Democrats, support same-sex marriage. Thirty-two votes are needed for passage.

NY Gov. Paterson Vetoes Rent Relief HIV/AIDS Patients

Last May, you'll recall the news item about New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg lobbying Gov. David Paterson to veto a bill that would have offered greater rent relief to more than 11,000 New York City residents living with HIV/AIDS. The measure passed by the State Assembly and Senate would have prevented people receiving housing assistance from the city's HIV/AIDS Services Administration from spending more than 30 percent of their income on rent. Paterson promised to sign the bill in 2009 and 2010.

On Sunday, the governor vetoed the bill.

Said Paterson in a statement:

"This is my most difficult veto. I recognize, sadly, the history of the inadequacy of services government has brought to bear for those with H.I.V./AIDS. I have pledged not to impose unfunded mandates on cash-strapped localities, and to prevent the state from taking on additional financial burdens outside the budget process without an identified funding source.

Paterson pledged to sign the bill if the Legislature made other budget cuts equal to the $20 million the bill is estimated to cost.

HIV/AIDS and housing advocates have slammed Paterson for the veto, saying higher subsidies would have meant the equivalent savings by preventing evictions, emergency housing and payments of rent. "I'm appalled and I'm incredibly disappointed. Governor Paterson had last December made a promise that he would sign this bill into legislation," said President Charles King of Housing Works. "Frankly, he's lied to people who are living with AIDS."

Bloomberg, who aggressively lobbied for the veto, praised Paterson's decision as "difficult and wise." The city couldn't afford the bill, Bloomberg claimed, although the mayor didn't have a problem finding $41 million for his proposed Governors Island beautification project. Priorities, priorities ...

During the July 2009 Senate vote, you may recall that Sen. Thomas Duane delivered an angry and emotional 3am floor speech reminding people of the horrors of the 1980s AIDS epidemic.

In New York City, more than 100,000 people are living with HIV/AIDS. The city has the highest AIDS-case rate in the country. New data show HIV is spreading in New York City at about three times the national rate. Black gay and bisexual men are hit the hardest, according to the New York City Department of Health.

Some Background:
Bloomberg Opposes Housing Subsidy for HIV-Poz

NY Gov. Paterson Signs DASA, Comprehensive Anti-Bullying Bill

This morning at the LGBT Community in New York City's Greenwich Village, Gov. David A. Paterson signed the Dignity for All Students Act (DASA), the comprehensive anti-bullying legislation that finally passed the New York State Senate in June after a nine-year delay. 

The Dignity for All Students Act explicitly prohibits harassment and discrimination of students with "respect to certain non-exclusive protected classes, including, but not limited to, the student's actual or perceived 'race, color, weight, national origin, ethnic group, religion, religious practice, disability, sexual orientation, gender or sex.'"

DASA becomes New York's first statewide law to include protections for gender identity and expression. The Senate overwhelmingly approved the bill by a vote of 58-3. New York is now one of more than 40 states with anti-bullying laws. Including New York, fifteen states plus the District of Columbia explicitly protect sexual orientation and gender identity or expression. 

The Senate bill was sponsored by Sen. Thomas K. Duane. The Assembly version was sponsored by Assemblyman Daniel O'Donnell.

The law is scheduled to take effect on July 1, 2012, but rules and regulations necessary to implement the bill could become law sooner.

You May Have Missed:
Paterson to Sign Comprehensive Anti-Bullying Bill
NYS Senate Approves Anti-Bullying Legislation 58-3

READ: Statement by the President on National HIV Testing Day

Today is National HIV Testing Day. President Barack Obama has released this statement:

As we mark this day, I would like to renew my call for all Americans to help reduce the risk of infection by getting tested for HIV and learning their HIV status.  One in five Americans who are currently living with HIV-- more than 230,000 people -- do not know their status.  The majority of HIV infections are spread by those who are unaware that they have the disease.  And research shows that people who know their status take better care of themselves and take steps to reduce the risk of transmitting HIV to others.  That is why it is so important that people get tested.

In recent years, we have made huge advances in HIV research, prevention and care.  Still, HIV and AIDS remains an epidemic in this country.  That is why my Administration is launching in the coming days a comprehensive National HIV/AIDS Strategy focused on reducing new HIV infections, increasing access to care, and reducing HIV-related health disparities.  But government cannot address this important issue alone.  We need the commitment of businesses, churches and faith groups, philanthropic organizations, the scientific and medical communities, educational institutions and others.  And all of us have a responsibility to reduce our risk and know our status, to continue to support those already affected by this disease, and to fight the stigma and discrimination people still face.  So on this National HIV Testing Day, let us all recommit to do our part to help stop the spread of HIV and AIDS.

Free rapid testing is being offered in ten cities: Atlanta; Chicago;  Cleveland; Dallas and Houston;  Los Angeles;  Miami; Newark; New York City and Washington, D.C. Or, find your closet HIV testing center HERE.

The President's statement comes as the New York State Senate passed a bill "requiring HIV testing to be offered to everyone age 13-64 in most medical settings," reports The Advocate. "The senate passed the bill, sponsored by Sen. Thomas Duane, by a 42-10 vote. The assembly version ... is also expected to pass."

New York State Senate Approves Anti-Bullying Legislation 58-3

After a nine-year delay, on Tuesday night the New York State Senate passed comprehensive anti-bullying legislation. The Dignity for All Students Act (DASA) was overwhelmingly approved and included the vote of one unlikely ally: Sen. Ruben Diaz Sr..

The anti-bullying measure, already approved by the Assembly and supported by Governor David Paterson, provides protections based on a number of categories, including sexual orienation and gender identity. The late evening vote was 58-3, with all three no votes coming from Republicans. The ayes, surprisingly, included Bronx Democrat Ruben Diaz, Sr., a fiery anti-gay Pentecostal minister, who has been the LGBT community's political bête noire for nearly two decades. DASA represents the first time that the Senate has approved any legislation making reference to gender identity. Yet, just two weeks after the Senate Judiciary Committee rejected the Gender Expression Non-Discrimination Act, in a 12-11 nearly party line split, the inclusion of gender identity in the legislation approved this evening elicited no comment at all during the floor debate.

Only two weeks ago, Diaz Sr. joined the Republicans on the Senate Judiciary Committee and cast the decisive vote to kill GENDA.

Gov. Paterson is expected to quickly sign the bullying bill.

NYC Mayor Bloomberg Opposes Housing Subsidy for HIV-Positive

New York state's proposed housing subsidy for the HIV-positive has a major foe: Michael Bloomberg. The New York City mayor is urging Gov. David Paterson to veto the bill that would offer greater rent relief to more than 11,000 New York City residents with HIV/AIDS.

The city just can't afford it, the mayor's office tells The New York Times.

The bill would mean that low-income people receiving housing assistance from the city’s H.I.V./AIDS Services Administration would be required to spend no more than 30 percent of their income on rent. Despite the city’s current subsidy, many beneficiaries of the program still spend more than half of their income on rent. The office of Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg, which sent a memo to senators in January opposing the bill, said that the city would spend $150 million on the program this fiscal year, and that the new measure would cost it an additional 10 percent. Yet paying more toward low-income tenants’ rent would result in fewer evictions and fewer placements in emergency housing, both of which are expensive, according to Senator Tom Duane, the Democrat from Manhattan who sponsored the bill.

Independent analysts calculate the new law would cost the city and state an extra $19 million a year and result in $20 million in annual savings. On the other hand, Bloomberg didn't have a problem finding $41 million for his proposed Governors Island beautification project. Priorities, priorities ...

The bill passed the Assembly by 84 to 54 and the Senate by 42 to 19. During last July's Senate vote, you may recall that Sen. Duane delivered an angry and emotional 3am floor speech reminding people of the horrors of the 1980s AIDS epidemic.

Governor Paterson says he will sign the bill.

NYS Assembly Passes GENDA, Passage Uncertain in Senate

By a 91-40 vote, the New York Assembly passed GENDA, the Gender Expression Non-Discrimination Act, or GENDA, which would protect transgender people under the state's Human Rights Law. The vote came with bipartisan support. This is the third time GENDA has passed in the Assembly and unfortunately it has yet to pass in the more conservative Senate.

The Senate bill is being stalled in a committee whose membership includes Sen. Ruben Diaz Sr, the rabidly anti-gay Bronx Pentecostal minister who is the leading opponent of gay rights and marriage equality in the state. Diaz Sr. wants to add "anti-transgender rights" to that portfolio, Gay City News reports.

GENDA currently awaits action in the Investigations and Government Operations Committee chaired by Nassau County Democrat Craig Johnson. Though Johnson is a strong supporter of the measure, he has been unable to overcome opposition by fellow Democrat Ruben Diaz, Sr., a Bronx Pentecostal minister and fierce LGBT rights foe, in forging a majority in the committee where Democrats hold a 5-3 edge. For the moment, at least, the bill cannot move to the floor without the committee’s approval.

Another obstacle in the Senate could be Joseph Addabbo, the Queens Democrat who infuriated LGBT advocates when he voted against the marriage equality bill in December after enjoying "significant gay support" in his first Senate win in 2008. GCN adds: "Curiously, Addabbo voted for the city’s transgender civil rights measure while on the City Council in 2002." The freshman senator is being targeted by gay donors and activists for replacement.

In December, Gov. David Paterson issued an executive order covering state employees that bans discrimination based on gender identity and expression.

Only 13 states and the District of Columbia have laws to protect transgender people from employment, credit, public accommodation and housing discrimination. Several cities and counties in New York, including Rochester and New York City, have similar GENDA laws.

New York Senate Overwhelmingly Rejects Marriage Equality 38-24

After months of delay and uncertainty, the New York Senate overwhelmingly rejected marriage equality.

After more than two hours of intense debate at today's special legislative session, the Senate voted 38-to-24 against passsage. This was eight votes short of a majority. None of the Senate's 30 Republicans voted for the measure. Of the 32 Democrats, 24 voted for it, eight against. The state assembly marriage bill passed for the third time late last night.

Gov. David Paterson repeatedly pressed senators to vote on the bill although it's fate was uncertain. That's unusual in Albany, where legislation usually makes it to the floor only if passage is guaranteed. Supporters were disappointed with the vote but vowed to continue fighting. 

Sen. Tom Duane, the openly gay senator from Manhattan, was the bill's lead sponsor. Duane tells the Daily News: "The time is never right for civil rights - the economy, wars, the troubles we've had here in the Senate - but the paradox is it's always time to be on the right side of history."

Democrats hold a tenuous, razor-thin 32-30 majority in the Senate. Republican votes were always necessary for passage. The eight Democrats voting against marriage equality include: Rabidly anti-gay Bronx Pentecostal minister Ruben Diaz Sr; ; Shirley Huntley Queens; Joseph Addabo, (Queens); Darrell Aubertine (Adirondacks); Carl Kruger (Brooklyn); Hiram Montserrate (Queens); George Onarato (Queens); William Stachowski (Lakeview). Six of the eight Democrats who opposed the marriage bill are from New York City.