Today, On the 'NY Gay Marriage Vote'...

Majority Leader Dean Skelos

Here's an update the mini-series known as NY Gay Marriage.

From the NY Times

Frustrations flared in the Capitol on Friday as Democratic lawmakers and gay rights advocates suggested that the Republicans in the State Senate were deliberately delaying a vote on whether to legalize same-sex marriage in New York.

It was a marked change of tone from proponents of gay marriage, and it seemed to indicate that their collaborative relationship with the Republicans, in whose hands the fate of the measure rests, had begun to fray.

“It’s outrageous,” said State Senator Liz Krueger, a Manhattan Democrat. “We were sent home last night without really any explanation.”

But Thomas W. Libous, the Senate Republican deputy majority leader, said that negotiations were on track and that he expected votes on most issues early Friday afternoon. Asked whether gay marriage could be voted on Friday, Mr. Libous said yes.



“Nobody wants to stay here tomorrow,” he said.

So today, maybe?  We will see.

Could the NY Gay Marriage Vote happen in a few Hours?

The NY gay marriage could happen today. On Sunday, I received word from a lobbyist in New York that today could be the day. Maybe they are  right? Here's more:

State legislative leaders said Wednesday afternoon there are no major obstacles to a vote on whether to legalize gay marriage.


Democrats and Republicans emerged from meetings with Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo and said there is progress toward proposed additional religious protections that could bring a gay marriage bill to the Senate floor for a vote as early as Wednesday night. No deal had been struck as of Wednesday afternoon.


More protection for religious organizations such as adoption agencies and marriage counselors is sought by undecided Republican senators who are key to the vote.


Currently, the Senate appears to be one vote shy of making New York the sixth state where gay marriage is legal. It's viewed as a critical moment in the national gay rights movement.

Fingers Crossed.

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WATCH: Maggie Gallagher vows to get any GOP Senator who supports Gay Marriage

This heifer needs to have a seat!

In New York: No Gay Marriage Vote until Next Week?

The marriage equality vote in New York is taking a different turn. It seems that the Senate Republicans can't get the process done.

State Senate Republican leader Dean Skelos says there's still no decision on the bill to legalize gay marriage in New York that passed the Assembly on Wednesday.


He spoke as he emerged from another private GOP meeting on the issue, this time with New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg.

Republican Sen. Martin Golden of Brooklyn says the collapse of a deal to extend New York City rent control regulations late Wednesday night has complicated the gay marriage issue.
Golden says Thursday he still expects the marriage bill to get to the Senate floor for a vote, but that may not happen this week and could be Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday of next week.

Hopefully, they can get this done! New York is too close for marriage equality. The Repubs need to be on the right side of history for once.

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Too Late to Apologize, Carl Paladino

Carl Paladino is such a gentleman. After his insane haterade on us, he sends out an apology letter

I am Carl Paladino, a father, a husband, a builder and a business owner. I am neither perfect, nor a career politician. I have made mistakes in this campaign - I have made mistakes all my life- as we all have. I am what I am - a simple man who works hard, trusts others, and loves his family and fears for the future of our State.

Yesterday I was handed a script. I redacted some contents that were unacceptable. I did also say some things for which I should have chosen better words. I said other things that the press misinterpreted and misstated. I sincerely apologize for any comment that may have offended the Gay and Lesbian Community or their family members. Any reference to branding an entire community based on a small representation of them is wrong. My personal beliefs are:

1) I am a live and let live person.
2) I am 100% against discrimination of any group. I oppose discrimination of any kind in housing, credit, insurance benefits or visitation.
3) I am 100% against hate crimes in any form.
4) I am in support of civil agreements and equal rights for all citizens.
5) My position on marriage is based on my personal views. I have the same position on this issue as President Barrack Obama. I have previously stated I would support a referendum by New York voters. I have proposed Initiative and Referendum so New Yorkers can decide important issues like this.
6) The portrayal of me as anti-gay is inconsistent with my lifelong beliefs and actions and my prior history as an father, employer and friend to many in the gay and lesbian community.

I am concerned with the future for all our citizens, gay, straight, Catholic, Protestant, Jewish and Muslim and Agnostic. Although I am not perfect I do admit my mistakes. I will reach out to leaders of the gay community to educate me on how to better represent my support for the rights of all citizens. If elected as your governor I will stand and fight for all gay New Yorkers rights. I ask you for forgiveness on my poorly chosen words and the publication by others not involved with our campaign of unredacted script that did not reflect my oral statement or match my personal feelings. Please go to my website www.paladinoforthepeople.com to learn more detail about the issues including my staunch support for civil rights for all New Yorkers.

Whatever...

WATCH More of Carl Paladino Homophobic Foolishness on the Today Show

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New York Senate Finally passes the Anti-Bullying Bill

After years of fighting for this bill to be real, NY Senate succeeded in passing the Anti-Bullying Bill.

The bill passed 58-3, with three Republican senators voting against it: John DeFrancisco, George Maziarz and Dale Volker. Republicans attempted to amend the bill to include “cyber-bullying” that might take place off of school grounds, which amendment sponsor Sen. Stephen Saland called a “glaring omission” from the legislation.

“It’s a very important bill for many many reasons to many many people, and it’s a very important bill for, I hope not too many generations, but certainly at least for a generation or two to come,” said Sen. Tom Duane, D-Manhattan, the bill’s sponsor. “A students ability to excel in school is severely hampered by taunting, or intimidation or bullying.”

The bill would apply to events on school grounds and at school functions. It only applies to public schools. It prohibits harassment, “the creation of a hostile environment by conduct, verbal threats, intimidation or abuse that has or would unreasonably interfere with educational performance, opportunities, benefits, or physical or emotional well being, or cause fear for physical safety” an prohibits discrimination based ond “actual or perceived race, color, weight, national origin, ethnic group, religion, religious practice, disability, sexual orientation, gender or sex.”

“If I hadn’t been afraid in schools, I would have done better in school,” Duane, who is openly gay, said.

Congrats!

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Hiram Monserrate has LOST!

And he's out of here!!!

Troublemaker, abuser and back stabber, Hiram Monserrate lost the special election tonight!

With 35 percent of the vote counted, unofficial returns from the overwhelmingly Democratic 13th State Senate District showed Mr. Peralta with 60 percent and Mr. Monserrate with 34 percent. The Republican candidate, Robert Beltrani, an administrative law judge, came in a third with six percent of the vote.

Just after 10 p.m., Mr. Monserrate arrived to deliver his concession speech at a restaurant on Northern Boulevard in Jackson Heights, where about 50 supporters were gathered. Before he walked in, he said, “We fought a hard-fought fight. It’s a testament to our community that we pulled 4,000 votes. What we showed here is that there’s an alternative to politics as usual in Queens.”

Yes! He lost! He should've known he would, especially after that mess he pulled as the member of the Gang of 3 or 4, then his gay marriage betrayal and getting expelled. Of course his ass was out!

But I think the abuse of his ex-girlfriend was reminder of what this man is really all about. However, it was really sad to see her still support him in the end.

sad girl.

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Hiram Monserrate heckled at NY Debate

Hiram, why do you continue?

On Thursday, Hiram and Jose Peralta faced off at a debate in Queens.

However, Hiram got an earful from the 'fam', as well as, folks drawing slash marks in lipstick on their faces, referencing Hiram's act of violence towards his ex-girly.





Here's some more action from the debate

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Fair is Fair: If we call out Ford's past, we have to do the same to Gilly

After watching this clip, I had to really look into Kirsten Gillibrand's record.

Now, I like her, really do, but her past ain't all that cute.

On the issue of gay rights, Gillibrand received an 80 out of a 100 rating from the LGBT advocacy group the Human Rights Campaign. That was the lowest score out of New York’s Democratic representatives. According to the Human Rights Campaign, she voted against the repealing of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" legislation she declined to co-sponsor legislation that would have repealed the military's Don't Ask Don't Tell policy, opposed legislation that would grant equal tax treatment for employer-provided health coverage for domestic partners, opposed legislation to grant same-sex partners of U.S. citizens and permanent residents the same immigration benefits of married couples and opposed legislation to permit state Medicaid programs to cover low-income, HIV-positive Americans before they develop AIDS.

That said, Gillibrand is not an ideologue. The positions she took were arguably necessary as a means of getting elected in a conservative-voting district. And there is a notion among political observers that if she represented the entire state, those positions would soften to better reflect New York’s more liberal complexion.

Funny, during the whole Harold Ford issue, his past was a punching bag. But I rarely heard the same points about some of Gilly's dealings.

Yes, she is better than Ford on LGBT issues, but this has a stench of double standard to it. I'm afraid this info could be an issue for her if she doesn't completely address it. Also this could hurt our credibility if we don't address it as well.

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A Message from Cynitha Nixon

Hiram Monserrate is an Omega ASSHOLE!

Hiram Monserrate is a pure snake in the grass!

First, he claimed to be for us, even took money from LGBT organizations.

Then, he turns his back on us during New York's gay marriage vote.

Finally, his past caught up with him and he got expelled from office.

Now we are here. In a special election to replace him, Hiram completely turns his back on gays with this mess.

It's all part of the expelled ex-lawmaker's continued effort to ride an evangelical wave back to his Senate seat in the special election that is being held on March 16.

The flyer casts Monserrate's opponent, Assemblyman Jose Peralta, as the "leading spokesperson for the gay community in NYC" and the tool of "mega rich gay fanatics" who are pushing for the legalization of same-sex marriage.

It also claims he was "affectionately called Peralta the gay caballero" at a recent LGBT fundraiser.

Now this is the man NY gays need to chase out of town. He is a pure traitor and should be dealt with properly.

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Harold Ford Jr. disses Gilly

I hate to say it, but he may be back.

Harold Ford Jr. is Not running for NY Senator

My ex-husband has decided not to run for NY Senator, so Gilly is safe for now (jk).

This is what he had to say:

"I've examined this race in every possible way, and I keep returning to the same fundamental conclusion: If I run, the likely result would be a brutal and highly negative Democratic primary -- a primary where the winner emerges weakened and the Republican strengthened," Ford wrote. He continued: "I refuse to do anything that would help Republicans win a Senate seat in New York, and give the Senate majority to the Republicans."

However, there are rumors that he could go for Governor. But those are huge rumors.

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Interesting Quote: Sen. Ruben Diaz

“The Governor went out on a limb for the gay community in his efforts to support marriage equality and to bring that bill to the Senate floor, even though he knew it did not have sufficient votes to pass and that thousandsof people in New York State did not want it and will not support him for election because of that issue. Where is the gay community now that the Governor needs them?”

Senator Diaz mocking Governor David Paterson.

But does he have a point?

Hiram Monserrate has been EXPELLED!

The man who assaulted his girlfriend, by slashing her face.

The man who double-crossed the gays during the NY marriage debacle.

And the man was a part the trouble making coup this summer... Just been Expelled!

Disgusted Democrats and Republicans joined together 53-8 to make Monserrate the fourth sitting state lawmaker ever expelled - and the first since 1861.

"Sen. Monserrate's abusive and unlawful conduct damages the integrity of the New York state Senate and demonstrates a lack of fitness to serve in this body," Sen. Eric Schneiderman (D-Manhattan) said after the vote.

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What does Vincent Morgan and Harold Ford Jr. have in Common?

They are cousins!!!

However, the cute Harlem investment banker/Congress hopeful is nothing like his cousin (my ex-husband).

Morgan also appears to have none of Ford's political baggage. He is firmly pro-choice and unequivically believes in Marriage Equality, a position potentially at odds with many of his prospective Harlem constituents. "Some advisors have warned it would be unwise to support same-sex marriage, but this is just the right thing to do," says Morgan, whose campaign has formed an LGBT campaign committee. "We've let the religious right marshall this debate," he adds. "But to me, this is simply about relationships -- I support same-sex marriage and everyone's right to have their own relationships respected."

Morgan's sentiments are hardly surprising considering his unique background. While many of his cousins -- and 15 half-siblings -- were at prep school like Harold, Jr., "I grew up poor, I dropped out of high school and got some help by people who believed in me," says Morgan who ultimately finished high school before enrolling in Howard and eventually completing graduate school at Columbia University. "I know what it's like to feel like an outsider. I was the 'light-skinned' kid in an all-Black neighborhood, I did not have a father, I was wedged between groups."

Today, Morgan hopes to channel that earlier sense of isolation into unifying Harlem as he challenges Rangel for New York City's coveted 15th Congressional District.

Interesting. I wonder if he will campaign on the behalf of his cousin? Or will they be at odds?

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What could be Trouble for Senator Kirsten Gillibrand?

Senator Kirsten Gillibrand has made serious headway in LGBT rights for NY and the nation. However, she may have to fight to keep her position as Senator.

Why you may ask? Well, as I like to believe she's safe, that may not be the case. My Ex-husband, Harold Ford Jr. could come from nowhere and still win.

I will present some points I've learned from the previous weeks.

• Gov. Patterson's support doesn't carry much weight as it used to. After the gay marriage debacle, folks are not so sure of his choices (He appointed Gillibrand).
• Her background ain't that cute either. Before she was appointed Senator, her LGBT ratings were low. She only supported civil unions and wouldn't co-sponsor the repeal of DADT. Later, she changed her stances and won praises for that. But one would question, if she could change, why can't Harold Ford Jr.? I only bring this up, because it will be used in the campaign. I bet my LV bag on it.
• She was appointed not elected. And she wasn't the top choice either. Some NY politicians were angry at Patterson for that.
  
• According to this article, 63% New Yorkers said they didn't know enough about her to have an opinion. Meaning, she will need to introduce herself to New York. Many, however are familiar with Ford.
• Many of her supporters are from one group (gays). If she wants to win, she will need to court and I mean court other groups. The 2 she needs the most important tide turners, the labor unions and minorites (these are supposedly Ford's lock downs)
• Gillibrand is considered very liberal, which leave opportunities for a moderate Dem or Independent to step in and shake up the election.

Just my views. Let me know what y'all think.

Harold Ford Jr.: I'm Coming for New York

The man that's stirring up drama is keeping the show on the road.

Harold, in his own words, pleads his case in NY Post. Here are some key pieces:

I am pro-choice -- have always been since I entered politics almost 15 years ago. My cumulative grade with NARAL during 10 years in Congress was right at 80 percent. Any assertions to the contrary are false.

Well, this clip says otherwise.

Not cute, cutie.

And from the moment I arrived in Congress, I supported civil unions. Like New York's senior senator, after listening to and participating in the national conversation about full equality and fairness, I support same-sex marriage.

Okay, you said "you thought about it". But your actions needs to speak, Harold.

Despite what critics say about me, I enjoyed uninterrupted support from organized labor throughout my time in Congress.

This is KEY, this is where he's super strong. If he wins these folks, it's almost over. That's Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand's kryptonite.

Again, I'm not defending him. I'm trying to keep an open mind.

Harold is a strange creature because his credentials has both positive and negative aspects. But again, his actions will be the true judge of character.

Interesting Quote: Alan Van Capelle

“I know Harold Ford, Jr. just arrived to New York, but as a native and lifelong resident I know what New York values are and I know a snake oil salesman when I see one. You simply can’t claim to be pro-equality if you’ve twice voted to enshrine discrimination into the U.S. Constitution.”

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