St. Patrick's Day, 2014

Today, LGBT Irish men and women around the world are celebrating St. Patrick's Day. But today, in the most diverse and progressive City in the world, our community is not allowed to march openly in the official parade.

We thank the elected officials who have stood for equality by not marching today including Mayor Bill de Blasio, Comptroller Scott Stringer, Public Advocate Letitia James, Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer, Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito and the numerous federal, state and local electeds who have joined them. We also would like to thank the major corporations who have stood with our community including Guinness, Heineken and Samuel Adams. 

Even with all of this support, the organizers of this parade have continued the practice of not allowing our community to march openly. In a city that is home to Stonewall and the LGBT movement; in a state that continues to spearhead progressive LGBT legislation; in a country where our top leaders are fighting and speaking out for our equal rights - we still, today, live in a city where a parade that is not inclusive can receive a permit to march down 5th avenue.

We condemn Police Commissioner Bratton for moving forward with his participation in the parade under the City seal. Our seal is an image for equality and should not be a part of this event.

Stonewall looks forward to working with parade organizers and elected officials on every level to ensure that next year LGBT Irish men and women can march openly in their heritage parade.

Dear Rob Astorino - NYS Is Not for You

Friends,

Would you vote for someone who doesn't support lgbt equality?
What about someone who praises elected officials that stand in the way of marriage equality?
Did you answer no? Then you should know about Rob Astorino.

This afternoon, Rob Astorino, a vocal elected representing a district just outside of the 5 boroughs, announced his bid to run for governor of New York State. Rob says that "voters shouldn't hold it against him because he is not in support of marriage equality" and Rob has a history of anti-LGBT policy positions, praising electeds for opposing marriage equality for NYS in 2011 saying "thank you for sticking to your guns because marriage (equality) is at the taproot of Western civilization.”  It certainly sounds like Rob is sticking to his guns. He recently praised Conservative Party Chairman Mike Long on his stance to oppose the legalization of same-sex marriage in New York State.

Would you vote for someone like that? No? Then join us as we tell Rob Astorino "New York Is Not For You".

New York State has always been a leader for full and equal protection under the law. These laws and policies have helped make change not only in other states, but around the world.

We are the home state to the Stonewall Movement that helped spark a national LGBT movement. We saw Edie Windsor and Robbie Kaplan head to DC from NY to fight for national LGBT rights in front of the Supreme Court - and win! We are a state that has made homeless youth a priority, funded HASA, and one that will see GENDA as a reality in 2014.

Rob Astorino says that he will talk to every New Yorker. Consider this our invite: let us know when in the next 9 months you can talk to us, Rob. SDNYC would really like to hear an explanation from someone who wants to represent all of New York. 

2014 will be a year of change, but not the change you are hoping for, Rob. New York Is Not For You.

Sincerely,

Eunic Ortiz
President
Stonewall Democrats of New York City

Stonewall Democrats Elect New Leadership

The Stonewall Democratic Club of NYC (SDNYC), the largest and oldest LGBT political club in New York City and New York State, this week elected Eunic Ortiz as President. Prior to being elected President, Eunic sat on the Executive Board of SDNYC for four years, serving as Vice-President for two years and working city wide to help elect our progressive, Democratic leaders in City office.

"2014 will be a year that will continue to shape policy effecting the LGBT community.” Said Eunic Ortiz “Marriage equality was passed two years ago in NYS and there are still many more fights to be won. Education, transportation, housing and other policy areas need to be addressed for our community. I look forward to working with my colleagues on Stonewall's board, elected officials and community groups across the five boroughs to continue to push for better LGBT equality.”

In addition, SDNYC elected club leadership for 2014. Richard Allman, Robert Atterbury, and Rose Christ were elected to serve as Vice Presidents. Joe Hagelmann was re-elected Treasurer, Chap James Day was re-elected Recording Secretary and Bryan John Ellicott was elected to serve as Corresponding Secretary. 

SDNYC Applauds Mayor de Blaiso's Budget Announcement

This afternoon, Mayor de Blasio announced modifications to the current City budget and released the Preliminary Budget for the City's Fiscal Year 2015 (FY15) that will begin on July 1, 2014.

The current and FY15 Preliminary budget includes a restoration of $165 million in budget cuts that were implemented by the Bloomberg Administration. This funding will restore budget cuts that impacted programs across the city, including services for runaway/homeless youth and community based mental health providers. Mayor de Blasio also announced that the City will dedicate $21.7 million to providing a HASA Rent Cap at 30% for HIV/AIDS housing clients. In addition, the current and FY15 Preliminary budget includes $40 million for new initiatives, including the creation of an independent NYPD Inspector General and for the implantation of the Paid Sick Leave act.

SDNYC applauds Mayor de Blasio for implementing these exciting new initiatives and for restoring funding for programs that are critical to the LGBT community. We are proud that NYC has a Mayor that recognizes the importance of affordable housing for people living with HIV/AIDS and who is committed to providing the funding necessary to implement a greatly needed HASA Rent Cap for HIV/AIDS housing clients. We also commend Mayor de Blasio for recognizing the dire need for additional shelter beds for our city's homeless youth, many of whom are LGBT.