Urge Continued Funding of The LGBT Health and Human Services Network of New York

A network of over fifty nonprofit organizations serving over 800,000 LGBT New Yorkers is striving to get the bare minimum necessary from the state for funding purposes. The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Health and Human Services Network of New York reduces health disparities and promotes access to quality care. The amount requested for this fiscal year is $2.048M which falls short of the amount of funding needed but serves to maintain basic and critical services.

New Yorker's please use the e-action form to contact your elected officials.

Vigil and 'Kiss-Out' Tonight Protesting Anti-Gay Assault in Brooklyn

Activists have organized vigil for tonight at 8:30 pm at the corner of Luquer Street and Hamilton Avenue in the Carroll Gardens section of Brooklyn, New York to rally against an anti-gay hate crime in which a man was attacked and severely beaten by a gang of five men last week.

The vigil will be preceded by a KISS-OUT at South Brooklyn Pizza at 5:30 pm. The organizers write: "This Monday, March 15th at 5:30 pm, we’ll assemble at the pizza place (451 Court Street) and then, starting at 6pm, groups of two or more will be given a place to go and kiss. You will be directed to stand at an intersection and kiss for 20 minutes. Ideally, we'll have 4 groups at a given intersection, one at each corner. By stationing ourselves on each corner in the neighborhood, we're aligning ourselves with the street-- a fixture that isn’t going away. At 6:30, everyone is invited to return to the pizza place and enjoy the night together."

Crossposted via Towleroad.

Fight Back New York PAC Aims to Defeat Anti-Marriage Senators

A new political PAC called Fight Back New York has set up shop. The group aims to strategically replace anti-equality NY senators who voted against same-sex marriage with pro-LGBT senators. The group is non partisan and will be targeting both democrats and republicans who voted against marriage.

Sign up, donate, and tell friends to participate with Fight Back New York.

Queer Rising to Protest New York City Marriage Bureau

Recently formed direct action activist group called Queer Rising will engage in civil disobedience at the New York City Marriage Bureau on Friday, February 12th.

Inside the bureau couples will attempt to apply for marriage licenses and those who support marriage equality will be rallying outside. There will also be a marriage between a gay man and lesbian to highlight the absurd notion of restricting marriage to opposite-sex couples.

Below is a video of Queer Rising's last action during MLK Day.


The protest at the New York City Marriage Bureau is on Feb 12th:

Manhattan Marriage Bureau
8:00-10:00 AM
141 Worth St.
New York, NY

For more information on the protest or to attempt a marriage license email queerrising@gmail.com

Campaign to Win GENDA in New York State!

There is hope that the Gender Expression Non-Discrimination Act (GENDA) has enough votes to pass in the New York State Senate and Assembly in the upcoming weeks.

The time is now to get active and push for the bill to come up for a vote. Empire State Pride Agenda urges you to...

1. Call Senator Tom Duane, lead sponsor of GENDA, at (518) 455-2451. Ask Senator Duane to bring the bill to the floor for a vote in February.

2. Call your own Senator to tell them that you expect them to bring GENDA (S.2406) to the floor and vote in support of it. You can find your State Senator's Albany phone number here.

Here are some talking points for your calls:

-Due to difficulty with job discrimination, one-fifth of transgender New Yorkers have incomes below $10,000 a year.

-28% of transgender New Yorkers have experienced a serious physical or sexual assault motivated by hate.

GENDA has widespread support, 78% of New York voters, Unions representing 2.1 million working New Yorkers, 30 Fortune 500 companies based in cities like Rochester, Corning, New York City and White Plains, and 547 clergy and lay leaders representing over 20 different denominations.

Weekend Protests Directed at Anti-Marriage Equality NY Senators

Marriage Equality New York is organizing several protests against senators who voted against equal marriage rights for same-sex couples. The protests follow a recent vote by the New York State Senate where same-sex marriage failed by a 38-24 margin.

The protests are scheduled throughout the weekend. Activists are responding by supporting opposition (pro-equality) candidates for the upcoming 2010 election.

MENY Protests are against Senators Hiram Monserrate, Carl Kruger, George Onorato, and Thomas Morahan.

New York Marriage Debate Set for Tuesday's Senate Agenda

The New York State Senate under the order of Governor David Patterson is scheduled to discuss and possibly vote on the issue of marriage equality. The marriage bill has been passed by the house, if the senate concurs, the bill will be signed into law by the governor.

New Yorkers please take a minute to call your state senator through the Empire State Pride Agenda's click to call action service.

New York to Vote on Marriage Equality Shortly

New York Governor David Patterson has promised that he will get the NY State Senate to vote on marriage equality in the coming days. The governor has been committed to getting this legislation passed and signed into law but the NY state senate has been a wrestling rink between republicans and democrats resulting in a stalemate on many issues that occurred this summer.

Now that the senate is in the hands of the Democrats by a slim 32-30 margin, there is a real chance for this issue to be voted on. While the issue may get a vote, the outcome is less than certain as some democrats will oppose it, and some republicans support it.

Be sure to contact your senator and urge their support!

Take action with this neat click-to-call widget I found over at Good As You.

New York Gets Active on Behalf of Marriage Rights

New York's Governor David Patterson a strong ally committed to equality has signaled that a vote on marriage may come as early as this month! The Empire State Pride Agenda will be holding events throughout the state in an effort to re-engage people to pressure the legislature.

Below is a list of events and opportunities to help out through the state:

Buffalo

Labor Parade and Picnic – Buffalo AFL-CIO
Date: Monday, September 7
Time: Noon- 2 PM
Location: Parade begins at the corner of Abbott and Stevenson; picnic is at Cazenovia Park, Buffalo
Action: Volunteers will help circulate materials and collect letters in support of marriage and GENDA.
Contact: Todd Plank, (518) 271-2420 or (585) 880-2508, tplank@prideagenda.org

Music is Art Festival
Date: Saturday, September 12
Time: 10 AM - 10 PM
Location: Grounds outside the Albright Knox Gallery at 1285 Elmwood Ave., Buffalo
Action: Volunteers will help circulate materials and collect letters in support of marriage and GENDA.
Contact: Todd Plank, (518) 271-2420 or (585) 880-2508, tplank@prideagenda.org

Rainbow Pride Conference
Date: Saturday, September 12 and 13
Time: 11 AM - 8 PM
Location: Chautauqua Institute at 1 Ames Ave, Chautauqua
Action: Volunteers will help circulate materials and collect letters in support of marriage and GENDA.
Contact: Todd Plank, (518) 271-2420 or (585) 880-2508, tplank@prideagenda.org

Buffalo IMPACT Meeting
Date: Tuesday, September 15
Time: 6 PM
Location: Pride Center of WNY, 206 South Elmwood Ave., Buffalo
Contact: Todd Plank, (518) 271-2420 or (585) 880-2508, tplank@prideagenda.org

Primary Election Day - Polling Locations
Date: Tuesday, September 15
Time: TBA
Location: TBA
Action: Volunteers will help circulate materials and collect letters in support of marriage and GENDA.
Contact: Todd Plank, (518) 271-2420 or (585) 880-2508, tplank@prideagenda.org

Pride in the Pulpit Faith & Lay Leader Breakfast
Date: Wednesday, September 30
Time: 8:30 PM
Location: Unitarian Universalist Church of Buffalo, 695 Elmwood Ave., Buffalo
Contact: Todd Plank, (518) 271-2420 or (585) 880-2508, tplank@prideagenda.org

Capital District

Primary Election Day - Polling Locations
Date: Tuesday, September 15
Time: TBA
Location: TBA
Action: Volunteers will help circulate materials and collect letters in support of marriage and GENDA.
Contact: Ejay Carter, (518) 472-3330 ext 306 or ecarter@prideagenda.org

Phone Banking
Date: Wednesday-Friday, September 16, 17 and 18
Time: 5 – 8 PM
Location: TBD, Capital District Area
Action: Volunteers will phonebank constituents in key senate target districts to urge them to call their pivotal, crucial and influential Senators.
Contact: Sheilah Sable, (518) 472-3330 ext 303 or ssable@prideagenda.org

Larkfest
Date: Saturday, September 19
Time: 10 AM - 5:30 PM
Location: TBA (Larkfest takes place on Lark Street), Albany
Action: Volunteers will help circulate materials and collect letters in support of marriage and GENDA.
Contact: Ejay Carter, (518) 472-3330 ext 306 or ecarter@prideagenda.org

Capital District IMPACT Meeting
Date: Wednesday, September 23
Time: 6 PM
Location: Conference Room at the AFLCIO Headquarters, 100 Swan Street, Albany
Contact: Ejay Carter, (518) 472-3330 ext 306 or ecarter@prideagenda.org

Troy Night Out
Date: Friday, September 25
Time: 5 -7 PM
Location: River Street, Troy
Action: Volunteers will help circulate materials and collect letters in support of marriage and GENDA.
Contact: Ejay Carter, (518) 472-3330 ext 306 or ecarter@prideagenda.org

Central NY

New York State Fair
Date: Sunday, August 27 – Monday, September 7 (Volunteers needed to assist Stonewall Committee on all days; Pride Agenda will specifically staff the booth on September 3 from 10 AM - 2 PM)
Time: 10 AM -10 PM all days
Location: Stonewall Committee Booth, New York State Fair Grounds, 581 State Fair Blvd., Syracuse
Action: Volunteers are needed to help circulate materials and collect letters in support of marriage and GENDA at the Stonewall Committee Booth on all days of the State Fair. Check in With Stonewall Committee on all days except September 3, when the Pride Agenda will be staffing the booth.
Contact: Ejay Carter, (518) 472-3330 ext 306 or ecarter@prideagenda.org

Long Island

Pride in the Pulpit Community Meeting
Date: Wednesday, September 9
Time: 6:30 PM
Location: Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Huntington, 109 Browns Rd., Huntington
Contact: Joanna Solmonsohn, (212) 627-0305 ext 103, (516) 993-4623 or jsolmonsohn@prideagenda.org; or Kate McDonough, (212) 627-0305 or kmcdonough@prideagenda.org

LIRR Visibility Activity
Date: Wednesday, September 9
Time: 7 -8:30 AM
Location: Ronkonkoma Train Station, Smithtown Ave. and Railroad Ave.
Action: Volunteers will circulate materials and collect letters in support of marriage.
Contact: Joanna Solmonsohn, (212) 627-0305 ext 103, (516) 993-4623 or jsolmonsohn@prideagenda.org

LIRR Visibility Activity
Date: Thursday, September 10
Time: 7 AM -8:30 AM
Location: Hicksville Train Station, Newbridge Rd. and West Barclay St.
Action: Volunteers will circulate materials and collect letters in support of marriage.
Contact: Joanna Solmonsohn, (212) 627-0305 ext 103, (516) 993-4623 or jsolmonsohn@prideagenda.org

Further volunteer opportunities will be scheduled on Long Island shortly. Please contact Joanna Solmonsohn, (212) 627-0305 ext 103, (516) 993-4623 or jsolmonsohn@prideagenda.org to learn more about how you can get involved.

New York City

NYC Pride in Our Union Committee Meeting
Date: Tuesday, September 8
Time: 6:30 PM
Location: SEIU 1199, 330 W. 42nd Street, Meeting Room, 7th Floor, New York City
Contact: Sheilah Sable, (518) 472-3330 ext 303 or ssable@prideagenda.org

Express Bus Letter Collection
Date: Wednesday, September 9
Time: 6 – 8 PM
Location: 23rd Street & Madison Avenue (Midtown)
Action: Volunteers will help collect letters in support of marriage.
Contact: Matthew Brunner, (212) 627-0305 or mbrunner@prideagenda.org

Express Bus Letter Collection
Date: Thursday, September 10
Time: 6 – 8 PM
Location: TBD
Action: Volunteers will help collect letters in support of marriage.
Contact: Matthew Brunner, (212) 627-0305 or mbrunner@prideagenda.org

NYC Labor Day March
Date: Saturday, September 12
Time: 11 AM
Location: Near 5th Avenue and 44th Street
Action: Volunteers will be collecting letters in support of marriage and GENDA.
Contact: Matthew Brunner, (212) 627-0305 or mbrunner@prideagenda.org

Primary Election Day - Polling Locations
Date: Tuesday, September 15
Time: TBA
Location: TBA
Action: Volunteers will help circulate materials and collect letters in support of marriage and GENDA.
Contact: Kate McDonough, (212) 627-0305 ext 106 or kmcdonough@prideagenda.org

Pride in the Pulpit Faith Leaders of Color Meeting
Date: Wednesday, September 16
Time: 6 PM
Location: Middle Collegiate Church, 50 East 7th Street, Social Hall
Contact: Kate McDonough, (212) 627-0305 ext 106 or kmcdonough@prideagenda.org

Phone Banking
Date: Wednesday, September 16
Time: 5:30 – 8:30 PM
Location: TBD
Action: Volunteers will phonebank constituents in key senate target districts to urge them to call their pivotal, crucial and influential Senators.
Contact: Kate McDonough, (212) 627-0305 ext 106 or kmcdonough@prideagenda.org

Phone Banking
Date: Thursday, September 17 and Monday, September 21
Time: 5:30– 8:30 PM
Location: Empire State Pride Agenda office, 16 W 22nd St., 2nd Fl
Action: Volunteers will phonebank constituents in key senate target districts to urge them to call their pivotal, crucial and influential Senators.
Contact: Kate McDonough, (212) 627-0305 ext 106 or kmcdonough@prideagenda.org

Staten Island

Letter Collecting at Q Bar and Grill
Date: Friday, September 4
Time: 7:30 – 10 PM
Location: Q LGBT Night Club, 632 Midland Avenue, Staten Island
Action: Volunteers will help collect letters in support of marriage.
Contact: Matthew Brunner, (212) 627-0305 or mbrunner@prideagenda.org

Brooklyn

West Indian Parade/Carnival
Date: Monday, September 7
Time: 9:30 AM – 1 PM
Location: Buffalo Avenue & Eastern Parkway, Brooklyn
Action: Volunteers will help collect letters in support of marriage and GENDA.
Contact: Matthew Brunner, (212) 627-0305 or mbrunner@prideagenda.org

Queens

Clergy Breakfast
Come for a discussion on LGBT equality & expanding the LGBT faith-based movement in Queens.
Date: Tuesday, September 22
Time: 8:30 AM
Location: Church of the Redeemer, 30-14 Crescent Street, Astoria
Contact: Matthew Brunner, (212) 627-0305 or mbrunner@prideagenda.org

Rochester

Museum of Science
Date: Tuesday, September 8
Time: 5 – 6 PM
Location: 657 East Ave., Rochester
Action: Volunteers will help circulate materials and collect letters in support of marriage and GENDA.
Contact: Todd Plank, (518) 271-2420 or (585) 880-2508, tplank@prideagenda.org

Clothesline Art Festival
Date: Saturday and Sunday, September 12 and 13
Time: Saturday, 10 AM - 6 PM;, Sunday, 10 AM - 5 PM
Location: Memorial Art Gallery of U of R, 500 University Ave., Rochester
Action: Volunteers will help circulate materials and collect letters in support of marriage and GENDA.
Contact: Todd Plank, (518) 271-2420 or (585) 880-2508, tplank@prideagenda.org

Primary Election Day - Polling Locations
Date: Tuesday, September 15
Time: TBA
Location: TBA
Action: Volunteers will help circulate materials and collect letters in support of marriage and GENDA.
Contact: Todd Plank, (518) 271-2420 or (585) 880-2508, tplank@prideagenda.org

Rochester IMPACT Meeting
Date: Wednesday, September 16
Time: 6:30 PM
Location: Downtown United Presbyterian Church, 121 North Fitzhugh St., Rochester
Contact: Todd Plank, (518) 271-2420 or (585) 880-2508, tplank@prideagenda.org

Pride in the Pulpit Faith & Lay Leader Breakfast
Date: Tuesday, September 22
Time: 8:30 AM
Location: First Universalist Church of Rochester, 150 South Clinton Ave., Rochester
Contact: Todd Plank, (518) 271-2420 or (585) 880-2508, tplank@prideagenda.org

Southern Tier

Labor Picnic in Stewart Park
Date: Monday, September 7
Time: Noon – 2 PM
Location: Stewart Park, Gardner Parkway, Ithaca
Action: Volunteers will help circulate materials and collect letters in support of marriage and GENDA.
Contact: Ejay Carter, (518) 472-3330 ext 306 or ecarter@prideagenda.org

Letter Collecting in Finger Lakes Region
Date: Saturday, September 12
Time: TBA
Location: Cayuga Lake
Action: Volunteers will help circulate materials and collect letters in support of marriage and GENDA.
Contact: Ejay Carter, (518) 472-3330 ext 306 or ecarter@prideagenda.org

Primary Election Day - Polling Locations
Date: Tuesday, September 15
Time: TBA
Location: TBA
Action: Volunteers will help circulate materials and collect letters in support of marriage and GENDA.
Contact: Ejay Carter, (518) 472-3330 ext 306 or ecarter@prideagenda.org

SPECTRA’s 6th Annual Film Event
Date: Saturday, September 19
Time: 5:00 - 7 PM
Location: Corning Museum of Glass (Auditorium), 1 Museum Way, Corning
Action: Volunteers will help circulate materials and collect letters in support of marriage and GENDA.
Contact: Ejay Carter, (518) 472-3330 ext 306 or ecarter@prideagenda.org

Ithaca Apple Harvest Festival
Date: Friday and Saturday, September 25-26
Time: Noon-6:30 PM
Location: Commons, Ithaca
Action: Volunteers will help circulate materials and collect letters in support of marriage and GENDA.
Contact: Ejay Carter, (518) 472-3330 ext 306 or ecarter@prideagenda.org

New York to Consider Same-Sex Marriage Today

The New York senate via the direction of Governor David Patterson will hear the same-sex marriage bill today at 3pm. The bill was supposed to be heard yesterday but the republicans did not show up for a vote. Today both the Republicans and Democrats are promising to attend the session. With no majority control over the senate due to the 31-31 democrat and republican split, there is no telling if the bill will finally reach a vote or what the outcome may ultimately be.

Be sure to contact your state senator and tell them to support marriage equality.

Call your senator before 3 p.m. today via the senate switchboard at 518-455-2800

Tell NY Senate to Take Up Gay Marriage Vote!

Even in the midst of a power battle for for the New York senate between the Democrats and Republicans, Governor David Patterson has promised a vote before the legislative sessions ends. The governor can force discussion on the topic, but whether the bill comes to a vote is the decision of the senators themselves.

The senators below just want to vote on a tax bill and end the session without giving a fair chance for the marriage equality bill. It is essential to call them if you reside within their district.

Sen. Diane Savino (Staten Island, BK – Southwest): 518-455-2437
Sen. Daniel Squadron (Lower MH, BK – Northwest): 518-455-2625
Sen. Liz Krueger (Manhattan- UES): 518-455-2297
Sen. Eric Schneiderman (NW Manhattan): 518-455-2041
Sen. Jeff Klein ( Bronx, Lower Westchester): 518-455-3595

New Yorkers, be sure to email your state senator and let them know you demand a vote in the affirmative on marriage equality for same-sex couples, regardless of their previous stated position.

HRC has phone banks set up across New York State, email them now to help volunteer:

NYC: 111 W. 40th St. (@6th Ave.) 5th Floor from 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. *Additional time can be provided if needed. To RSVP, please e-mail roryjomalley@gmail.com with your name, cell phone number and availability. Note: To clear security, all volunteers need valid ID and to be on the RSVP list.

Rochester: e-mail Jeremy at jpmull@gmail.com or call 617-669-4412

Syracuse: e-mail David at HRCSyracuse@gmail.comor call 301-651-8518

Westchester: e-mail Brendan at nymon02@gmail.com or call 914-420-3596