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.

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.

New York Marriage Inequality Protest Tonight!

After marriage equality suffered a 24-38 loss in the NY state senate, advocates are now protesting the outcome and demanding full equality for all residents.

Tonight marks the second rally in response to the vote and is organized by Marriage Equality New York. NYC Council Speaker Christine Quinn is also expected to be among the crowd. Signs and noise-makers are highly encouraged.

Thursday, December 3, 2009
6:00pm - 7:30pm
Union Square - North End (17th Street)
17th Street & Broadway
New York, NY

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