Harold Ford's intrusion into New York politics initially sparked some reactions from some black politicians I talked to that basically indicated to me that Ford would not be doing well among black politicians in NYC. Even the Caribbean community, who might to some degree side with Ford's more conservative social views, seems wary of him (see, for example, Rock Hackshaw's piece). So far Harold Ford's main supporters have been Michael Bloomberg and Vito Lopez, two people I particularly do not respect.

Now NY State's LGBT politicians are officially siding with Senator Kirstin Gillibrand of New York over failed Senate candidate from Tennessee, Harold Ford. From their press release:  read more »

Like an unchecked cancer, hate corrodes the personality and eats away its vital unity. Hate destroys a man's sense of values and his objectivity. It causes him to describe the beautiful as ugly and the ugly as beautiful, and to confuse the true with the false and the false with the true.

Martin Luther King, Jr., Strength To Love, 1963.

There is dismay tonight in the Empire State. The resounding defeat of a bill in the Senate to grant - what a curious term, grant - the simple right to get married, to finally be equal in the eyes of the law, to gay and lesbian New Yorkers is yet another setback for the only group of Americans that can still be openly discriminated against. And no, I don't give a flying fuck what you think your god says is right or wrong, Senator Diaz, you cretinous hypocrite. Go officiate at Hiram Monserrate's wedding, buddy.

We as gays and lesbians are used to this. It was ever thus. We are easy to hate, and not because there is anything in us that makes hatred intrinsically possible, but because of bigotry borne in silence. We have always hidden in the shadows.

No longer. We have a long way to walk yet, but know this: history will yet spit on the grave of Ruben Diaz's bigotry. The day will dawn.  read more »

Looks like DC beat New York State to the gay-marriage punch on a technicality : D.C. Council votes to legalize same-sex marriage - washingtonpost.com

After months of debate, the council passed the bill 11 to 2. It still must take a second vote in two weeks before the measure can go to Mayor Adrian M. Fenty (D), who has said he will sign it.

If the bill survives a required congressional review period, the District will join New Hampshire, Connecticut, Iowa, Vermont and Massachusetts in allowing same-sex marriage.

There was a rumor floating around this morning that the New York State Senate was poised to vote on their version of the same-sex marriage bill that was passed by the Assembly earlier this year. What may end up holding the vote hostage? The DRP or Deficit Reduction Plan the NYSenate has been squabbling about for what seems now like an eternity.
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Last night was the Rumble at IND. Most of the excitement came during the closed door, members-only discussion and I will not (unlike some so-called "journalists") violate the integrity of such a private discussion. But for those who stayed to hear the results, there was a great deal of yelling after wards as well.

Statements from two candidates in the 39th race can be found at the end.

Some very deep betrayals played out at IND last night and some very deep resentment has been built and it will hurt the club and it will hurt Assembly member Joan Millman. And there are some who will slam Jo Anne Simon with this, fairly or not, and she had better be prepared. Can they survive it? Quite probably. But, IND's impact on this year's election will be about equal (maybe a little more) than when they endorsed Suozzi for Governor, and there are some of their constituents who are now deeply, bitterly angry.

My wife epxressly invites all who are dissatisfied with IND's actions to come to CBID's brand new storefront at 548 10th St. right off 7th Ave. in Park Slope, Phone: 718-788-3409. CBID's general meetings will still be at the Isaac Abraham free space at the basement of Park Slope Methodist Church, 6th Ave & 8th St in Park Slope. Next general meeting is Jun.25, 2009 7.30 PM.

Click on "READ MORE" for the details.  read more »

In case you missed the Pride Parade this year - I'll confess, I did - check out Senator Tom Duane's podcast, complete with a chat with Scott Stringer. And if the idea of listening to a chat between two of the funniest politicians in New York isn't enough for you, check it out for the fantastic production values and fab musical score alone.

Oh, and snort. Here's a quote, from Albany, meet Podcast.

"It turns out not everyone in New York State or in Albany even knows what a podcast is".

How. Totally. Awesome.