NY Assemblyman Daniel O'Donnell Calls On State To Divest Russian Assets

Openly gay New York state Assemblyman Daniel O'Donnell today called on the state comptroller's office to divest its pension funds from all Russian interests.  Via press release:

"These issues are very personal for me, both as a gay man and as an elected official who has fought against intolerance and bigotry in my work in the New York State Assembly. New York has made steady progress in this area, including through bills I sponsored, like the Marriage Equality Act and New York’s new anti-bullying legislation. In light of this advancement, it is particularly hard to stomach sending tax dollars—my and other New Yorkers’ tax dollars—overseas to a place that is moving backwards in this respect, where I would not only fear bullying or the disregard of my marriage to my husband, but actual violence or state-sanctioned arrest because of who I am. For this reason, I urge you to cease future investment of any portion of the Common Retirement Fund in Russia, and to move toward the full divestment of any assets the Common Retirement Fund has in that country until this discriminatory and dangerous law has been repealed."

RELATED: Openly gay California state Sen. Mark Leno made a similar demand of his state last week.