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.

Kirsten Gillibrand to Replace NY Senator Hillary Clinton

There has been a lot of talk as to who Governor David Patterson will select to fill the now vacant seat of Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton. The Governor will select congresswoman Kirsten Gillibrand to become the next New York state senator.

There have been conflicting reports as to where Congresswoman Gillibrand stands on LGBT issues. With some reports saying that she supports federal civil unions legislation but not marriage equality, and others saying she does not support a repeal of the Don't Ask Don't Tell policy. She is considered a "blue dog democrat" who has an 80% rating from the Human Rights Campaign and supports gun rights, who has had a more conservative record due to the nature of her district where she needed to get elected.

However, via Towleroad we now learn that New York's LGBT rights organization the Empire State Pride Agenda has only accolade for the incoming senator...

Last night likely Senate pick Kirsten Gillibrand spoke to Empire State Pride Agenda Executive Director Alan Van Capelle about issues important to New York’s lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community

"After talking to Kirsten Gillibrand, I am very happy to say that New York is poised to have its first U.S. Senator who supports marriage equality for same-sex couples. She also supports the full repeal of the federal DOMA (Defense of Marriage Act) law, repeal of Don’t Ask Don’t Tell (DADT) and passage of legislation outlawing discrimination against transgender people. While we had a productive discussion about a whole range of LGBT concerns, I was particularly happy to hear where she stands on these issues."

Below is the contact information should you wish to correspond with the incoming senator.

Click here for an E-contact Form.

120 Cannon House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
Phone: (202) 225-5614
Fax: (202) 225-1168