Issues: Civil Rights

Wedding of friends and constituents Lawrance Rodrigues and Frederick Bramfield

Last Friday Senator Perkins attended the wedding of his friends and constituents Lawrance Rodrigues and Frederick Bramfield who live in Harlem.  The well attended ceremony was held at Mr. Rodrigues' art gallery, Casa Frela. " This  is a great occasion for me," Senator Perkins told the couple, who had waited 25 years for the opportunity to marry.  "Sponsoring New York's Marriage Equality Bill, I hoped to give everyone the same benefits under the law. Lawrance and Fred's was the first LGBT wedding I've attended since our bill passed in June, but I'm looking forward to attending many, many more."

November 22, 2011
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Wedding of friends and constituents Lawrance Rodrigues and Frederick Bramfield

Last Friday Senator Perkins attended the wedding of his friends and constituents Lawrance Rodrigues and Frederick Bramfield who live in Harlem.  The well attended ceremony was held at Mr. Rodrigues' art gallery, Casa Frela. " This  is a great occasion for me," Senator Perkins told the couple, who had waited 25 years for the opportunity to marry.  "Sponsoring New York's Marriage Equality Bill, I hoped to give everyone the same benefits under the law. Lawrance and Fred's was the first LGBT wedding I've attended since our bill passed in June, but I'm looking forward to attending many, many more."

November 22, 2011
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Manhattan BP Scott Stringer and NYS Senator Eric Adams Call on Federal Government to Investigate NYPD’s Controversial Stop and Frisk Program

Cite U.S. Attorney’s charges against NYPD officer for arresting African-American male for racist reasons, blast program that overwhelmingly targets Black and Latino men

October 21, 2011
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Oppenheimer Celebrates Marriage Equality

Chris Fraley and Victor Self share in the joy of their recent marriage with Senator Suzi Oppenheimer and their seventeen month o

          Marking the historic passage of the marriage equality law, Senator Suzi Oppenheimer (D-Mamaroneck) was honored to attend the recent wedding of Chris Fraley and Victor Self.  Surrounded by family and friends, Fraley and Self exchanged vows on Sunday afternoon in Rye, becoming one of the first couples in Westchester County to marry under the new law.

July 26, 2011
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Advisory: Senator Squadron, Colleagues to Host "After 'I Do': What's Next for LGBT New Yorkers?"

 

Forum Will Bring Together Public Officials, Experts, Advocates to Address Obstacles Still Facing Married LGBT New Yorkers 

NEW YORK – State Senator Daniel Squadron, Congressmembers Carolyn Maloney, Jerrold Nadler and Nydia Velázquez, Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer, Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz, Assemblymembers Deborah J. Glick, Brian Kavanagh, Joseph R. Lentol and Joan Millman, Councilmembers Margaret Chin, Brad Lander, Stephen Levin, and Rosie Mendez, and the Senate sponsor of marriage equality State Senator Tom Duane will host a public forum on the challenges that remain for married LGBT New Yorkers following this year’s historic passage of marriage equality.

July 26, 2011
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Forum/Town Hall: After ‘I Do’: What’s Next for LGBT New Yorkers?

Even after the historic marriage equality vote, LGBT New Yorkers still face a number of challenges after they’re married -- including DOMA, interstate travel and relocation, adoption, social security, and health benefits. Join Senator Squadron and colleagues for a panel discussion with experts and advocates on the obstacles and opportunities for LGBT New Yorkers after ‘I Do.’

August 16, 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM
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Rally in Support of the Sofitel Hotel Attack Victim

July 17, 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
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SENATOR MONTGOMERY HONORS LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD RECIPIENT DOROTHY BURNHAM, A BROOKLYN “RENAISSANCE WOMAN”

The lifetime achievements of Brooklyn native Dorothy Burnham were recognized and lauded by NYS Senator Velmanette Montgomery (D-Brooklyn) during the reading of a Senate resolution, which was unanimously passed by the full Senate during the final days of the 2011 Legislative Session. The resolution paid tribute to Dorothy Burnham’s many notable contributions to our public education system, the advancement of civil rights, and to the promotion of racial and economic equality. Ms. Burnham was also honored for her designation as recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award by the New York Friends of the People's World. “Dorothy Burnham is a Renaissance Woman,” said Senator Montgomery.

July 11, 2011
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Wedding bells ring for gay New Yorkers

Queens Chronicle quoted Senator Gianaris on the historic passage of the Marriage Equality Act.

It is said that marriage marks the beginning of the rest of your life, and for gay and lesbian New Yorkers, Friday night was nothing less than a fresh start.

“We are now being treated as fully equal citizens,” said gay Councilman Danny Dromm (D-Jackson Heights), touting the passage of state legislation legalizing same-sex marriage. “Having the option just makes us more whole as human beings, whether we choose to get married or not.”

In bars and in clubs, in homes and on the steps of City Hall, New Yorkers from all walks of life celebrated.

June 30, 2011
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Krueger Looks To Lady Gaga On #SSM

By David King

June 22nd, 2011

Senate Democrats have a hot new Twitter hash tag: “#letusVote” to prod Senate Republicans to bring same-sex marriage legislation to the floor for a vote. Sen. Liz Krueger is credited with creating the tag and she has been trying to get prominent same-sex marriage proponents to use it. “@ladygaga #NYSenate needs your help!” Krueger tweeted. “Can you & ur Little Monsters pls help us trend #letusVOTE We want to vote for #samesexmarriage in NY” Lady Gaga has yet to pick up the tag says,” Krueger spokeswoman Katie Kincaid,” but we’re working on it

June 28, 2011
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SENATOR GIANARIS APPLAUDS HISTORIC PASSAGE OF MARRIAGE EQUALITY ACT

Queens, NY – Senator Michael Gianaris was proud to be one of the 33 votes in favor of the Marriage Equality Act, which passed the New York State Senate on Friday, June 24 by a vote of 33-29 and was signed into law by Governor Cuomo.

New York is now the sixth state in the nation to legalize same-sex marriage, giving LGBT couples the same domestic and human rights as heterosexual couples.

“Today, New York reclaimed its mantle as the nation's human rights leader. I am proud to be one of the 'yes' votes that made marriage equality a reality in our state,” Senator Gianaris said. “May our example set the tone for the rest of the country so that all Americans can enjoy the same rights and privileges.”

June 25, 2011
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Senator Ball Interviewed on Anderson Cooper 360

http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/2011/06/24/video-lawmaker-explains-opposition-to-gay-marriage/

6/25/2011 - Senator Greg Ball is interviewed by CNN's Anderson Cooper about the gay marriage vote in New York State.

 

June 25, 2011
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Newsday: Sen. Espaillat talks about lawmakers and activists suffering from 'Albany Fatigue', calls on Republicans to bring the major issues to a vote

'Frankly, it's very scary'

By Yancey Roy

June 24, 2011

For about four hours now, rank-and-file lawmakers have just been milling around and waiting while backroom negotiations continue on the major bills at the end of the legislative session. Activists on either side of the same-sex marriage issue have been shooed out of the State Senate chamber but have taken to shouting at legislators from behind the glass doors. In general, aggravation is rising.

“You walk the hallways and I’ve been here 14 years and I haven’t seen the levels of anxiety and passion,” Sen. Adriano Espaillat (D-Manhattan) said, “and frankly, it’s very scary.”

June 24, 2011
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YNN State of Politics: Sen. Espaillat, Sen. Krueger and Sen. Gianaris call on the Senate Republicans to take up bills passed by the Assembly; Sen. Espaillat says it is dangerous to play games with people around Same Sex Marriage and Rent

Senate Dems Show Frustration

By Liz Benjamin

June 24, 2011

Senators Mike Gianaris, Liz Krueger, and Adriano Espaillat (who all have been tweeting up a storm trying to make several hashtags trend) held a press conference this morning to blast the lack of progress at the capitol.

“Unfortunately we have been here all week when were just supposed to be here on Monday. There are important issues to decide. We stand as a conference on the Democratic side ready to vote on all the issues of the day that have been outstanding all week. We cannot understand what the hold up is,” Gianaris said. ”

June 24, 2011
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NY1 News: Sen. Espaillat calls on Senate Republicans to bring Rent Regs and Same Sex Marriage for a vote

State Lawmakers Head Back To Capitol; Same-Sex Marriage, Rent Regulations Await

By NY1 News

The waiting game continues in Albany this afternoon as several pieces of pressing legislation, including rent regulations and a possible vote on same-sex marriage, remain up in the air.

The State Senate adjourned just before 11 p.m. yesterday following a marathon session...

..."We should give New Yorkers closure on this. There should be an answer on marriage. Five extenders on rent and last night they didn't even bring up an extender. Quietly in the middle of the night, with troopers in the galleries and people passionate on both sides, they quietly scooted out of the chambers," said State Senator Adriano Espaillat.

June 24, 2011
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MSNBC: Senator Ball Interviewed on Marriage Equality

See video

6/22/2011 – Senator Greg Ball is interviewed about Marriage Equality by Thomas Roberts on MSNBC.

June 24, 2011
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