New York City Council LGBT Caucus Backs Boycott Of Gay Hoteliers

Posted yesterday to the Facebook page for the boycott of hoteliers Ian Reisner and Mati Weiderpass:

STATEMENT - LGBT CAUCUS - NEW YORK CITY COUNCIL

"Owning businesses that cater to the LGBT community comes with a heightened level of responsibility. For the proprietors of the OUTnyc and Fire Island Pines, hosting anti-LGBT politicians like Senators Ted Cruz and Ron Johnson in their home - for whatever reason - was the height of irresponsibility. We hope that the events of the last week send a message to businesses that serve our community: you cannot make money from our community and support those who don't support our basic civil rights."

LGBT Caucus - Council Members Daniel Dromm (Queens), Corey Johnson (Manhattan), Carlos Menchaca (Brooklyn), Rosie Mendez (Manhattan), Ritchie Torres (Bronx), James Van Bramer (Queens)

‪#‎BoycottFIPOut‬

New York City LGBT Center Celebrates With Ribbon-Cutting After $9.2M Remodel

Last night I attended the ribbon-cutting ceremony at the New York City LGBT Center, which is almost finished with a 14-month $9.2M remodeling that has dramatically reshaped the building, an 1844 structure that in 1938 became Food Trades Vocational High School. Leading the ceremony was Center executive director Glennda Testone and Edith Windsor, who announced that the Center will be the recipient of her personal papers. Speakers included Manhattan borough president Gale Brewer, City Councilman Corey Johnson, state Sen. Brad Hoylman, state Assemblywoman Deborah Glick, NYC Comptroller Scott Stringer, and a representative from Mayor De Blasio's office, who declared yesterday to be LGBT Center Day in New York City. The Center hosts hundreds of groups and was the birthplace of ACT UP. The ribbon was provided by rainbow flag creator Gilbert Baker.

UPDATE: JMG reader Glenn provides us with his video of Edith Windsor's speech. Lots of gay history here.

Plan To Expand LGBT Historical Site List Announced At Stonewall Press Conference

NYT On Counterintuitive Fire Advice

Earlier this month a high-rise fire in Hell's Kitchen took the life of a newlywed gay man and critically injured his husband after they attempted to flee their 38th floor apartment via an emergency stairway. The New York Times reported yesterday that even people who knew that they should have stayed in their apartments did the same thing.

A fire safety notice that is supposed to be affixed to every entry door makes clear that staying in place is often the safest strategy during a fire. Most residents interviewed after the fire said they had never seen the notice, had seen it long ago, lost it, or, treated it like a safety information card on an airplane, and simply did not read it. Even among those who knew the rule, many said the first impulse was to run. “The idea of staying in your apartment when there’s a fire sounds wrong,” said George Hahn, 43, who fled with his dog, Smokey, when the fire alarm sounded. Another resident, Nina Regevik, a physician who is a member of an emergency response team created in New Jersey after the Sept. 11 attack, said she was fully aware of the fire safety procedures in her building. But when someone outside her apartment yelled “Fire!” and told everyone to evacuate, she said she defied her training, picked up her cat and fled with her partner. “Despite how many years of training and hearing what one should do, that was totally trumped by hearing someone in a very worrisome voice saying ‘Get out, get out, fire,’ ” she said.

The story notes: "Because the building was constructed of fire-resistant materials, the blaze barely spread. Even residents who remained in apartments directly next door to the fire emerged unscathed." The surviving gay man remains under sedation and has not yet been told that his husband died. Openly gay City Councilman Corey Johnson, whose district includes Hell's Kitchen, has introduced a bill that would require emergency public address systems for all buildings taller than six stories.

Petition Of The Day

Nearly 5000 people have signed a petition calling on the New York City Council to write new fire safety laws after last week's high-rise fire in Hell's Kitchen claimed the life of a newlywed gay man and severely injured his husband. The two men were found in the emergency stairwell. The FDNY says that in most high-rise fires, it is safer to remain in your apartment than attempt to flee via the emergency stairs. Petitioners are demanding that all such buildings install public address systems that building management or firefighters can use to advise residents. Recently elected and openly gay City Councilman Corey Johnson, whose district includes Hell's Kitchen, will hold an 11am press conference on Monday at City Hall to announce the introduction of a bill requiring "additional safety measures in high-rise residential buildings." 

RELATED: An online fundraiser for the still-hospitalized victim has netted over $66,000 at this writing.

NEW YORK CITY: Corey Johnson Easily Wins Chelsea City Council Seat

Openly gay and openly HIV+ former GLAAD staffer Corey Johnson scored an easy win yesterday, taking the Chelsea/West Village city council district of outgoing Speaker Christine Quinn by a massive margin. Johnson was first appointed to Chelsea's Community Board 4 in 2011 and later became its chair. He is a former contributor to Towleroad.

Openly Gay New York City Council Candidate Corey Johnson Declares Victory

Johnson ran to represent Christine Quinn's former district, which covers much of Hell's Kitchen and Chelsea. Johnson came out as HIV+ in a May interview with the New York Times.  His opponent was openly lesbian lawyer Yetta Kurland. Johnson will face Republican Richard Stewart in the general election and should cruise to any easy win.

Today At New York City Pride 2013

New York City Pride Grand Marshal Edith Windsor rode in triumph today as about a million people screamed her name. When Windsor's car turned onto Christopher Street, the thunderous chants of "EDIE! EDIE! EDIE" echoed down the very blocks where our movement started 44 years ago this week.  I was completely verklempt as were many, many joyous people behind the barricades.

Sen. Chuck Schumer, Governor Andrew Cuomo, and all of the major Democratic mayoral candidates marched today. Also marching was openly gay Assemblyman Daniel O'Donnell, openly gay City Council candidate Corey Johnson, and Rep. Carolyn Maloney. Many more photos are here. You'll love a LOT of today's celebratory signs!

Say His Name: MARK CARSON

Hundreds of LGBT New Yorkers turned out tonight for a candlelight vigil held at the West Village corner where Mark Carson, 32, was murdered early yesterday morning. The event was organized by Adam Feldman and speakers included activists Eugene Lovendusky, Robert Pinter, and Brendan Fay. Among the local politicos in attendance were state Sen. Brad Hoylman, state Assemblyman Micah Kellner, and City Council candidate Corey Johnson.  Speaker after speaker exhorted the crowd: "Say his name!"  Everybody: "Mark Carson, Mark Carson, MARK CARSON!" 

NOTE: On Monday there will be a rally at the LGBT Community Center at 5:30PM, followed by a march to the scene of the murder.

PERSONAL:  Specials thanks go out to the many JMG readers who attended tonight. I just wish I'd gotten to meet you under better circumstances.

NEW YORK CITY: Council Candidate Corey Johnson Issues First Campaign Ad

DISCLOSURE: Johnson is a personal friend and my name appears on a list of supporters issued by his campaign earlier this year.

Tonight In New York City

Organized by City Council candidate Corey Johnson.  Via press release:

Please join members of the Downtown Community in a Candle Light Prayer Vigil for our fallen neighbors in Connecticut's Sandy Hook School. The service will have the participation of clergy from various Churches, Synagogues, and Mosques located downtown. We anticipate that the service will last 30 - 40 minutes. Many of our elected officials or their representatives are expected to attend. Please share with neighbors to spread the word and please bring candles.

Gay Vs Gay For NYC Council

When I ran into attorney and activist Yetta Kurland at the Stonewall Inn two weeks ago, she told me she hadn't yet decided on whether to challenge Community Board 4 chairman Corey Johnson in the race to succeed Christine Quinn as Chelsea's representative on the New York City Council. Today we learn Kurland is in. Via Gay City News:

In 2009, Kurland took on Quinn, who had then been speaker for four years, and earned a third of the vote in a three-woman race, holding the incumbent to just over 50 percent. Since then, Kurland’s visibility has remained undiminished –– tackling issues like the closure of St. Vincent’s Hospital and the rights of Occupy Wall Street participants to hold their ground in Zuccotti Park, and also hosting a weekly radio show on WWRL AM 1600. In announcing her candidacy, Kurland evoked her now familiar combatively progressive tone. Saying New York, her home for the past two decades, is “the greatest city in the world,” she warned, “We’re heading toward becoming a place where only the richest can afford to live and where our public resources are being converted into private profit.”

Kurland has released a list of 65 prominent local activists who support her campaign. Johnson issued his own lengthy list of backers in August.

DISCLOSURE: Johnson is a personal friend and my name appears on his list. However I also quite like Yetta Kurland.  I don't live in their district and therefore cannot vote for either.

At The 2012 Toys Party In Chelsea

Above is the ten-foot-high mountain of toys I encountered at last night's Toys Party, the 27th annual holiday event at Chelsea Piers which raises money for SAGE (Services & Advocacy for Gay Elders).  The event always sells out and the well-dressed crowd of over 2300 was already in a  block-long line when I arrived.  I didn't get a lot of photos as my loyal photographer Dr. Jeff was unable to attend, but below you'll find some shots of JMG readers, uberblogger Andy Towle, NYC Council candidate Corey Johnson, radio host Michelangelo Signorile, nightlife photographer Gustavo Monroy, GLAAD's Rich Ferraro, blogger Kenneth Walsh, and hilarious comedian Robynne Kaamil.  Mayor Bloomberg reportedly spoke to the crowd, but I must have been somewhere else in the giant complex. I don't think I've ever been at such an enormous gay party where most of the crowd didn't have their shirts off.  The toys are donated to the USMC's Toys For Tots program.

UPDATE: The final shot above (that I'm in) is from the event's digital photo booth. Hundreds of more booth photos can be viewed here.

UPDATE II: The embedded slideshow seems to be slowing the page load today, so I've removed it. See the full-screen photos here.

CORRECTION: Although I'm pretty sure I heard the party's announcer say "Toys For Tots," which is a USMC program, I've been corrected as to the destination of the toys. They will go to: "The 9th Police Precinct Community Council, Ali Forney Center, Brooklyn ACE Integration Head Start, God’s Love We Deliver, Grace Baptist/Faith Mission, St. Ann’s Episcopal Church of the Bronx, St. Francis Desales Church of Rockaway NY, UWS Jericho Project/Brick Church, and Youth 4 Seniors/Harlem InterAgency Council."

Sunday In NYC: Ali Forney Center Fundraiser In Hell's Kitchen

Tomorrow in Hell's Kitchen:

The Ali Forney Center (AFC) - the nation’s largest services and advocacy organization working on behalf of runaway and homeless lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning (LGBTQ) youth – had its drop-in center destroyed by the Hudson River storm surge following Hurricane Sandy. The center served as the entry point for a number of AFC services, including medical care, HIV testing, mental health services, housing referrals, and more. In order to raise money for the AFC in this time of crisis, Industry Bar, located at 355 West 52nd Street in Manhattan, will host a fundraising event from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Sunday, November 11, 2012. The event’s hosts will include actress Ally Sheedy and celebrity photographer Mike Ruiz.

The event is co-chaired by AFC board member and Chair of Manhattan Community Board 4, Corey Johnson, and AFC volunteer and OASIS co-chair Michael Green. Tickets are available for purchase at the door for $20, and 100 percent of the event proceeds from ticket sales, bar service and raffle items will go to the AFC. A matching donation of up to $50,000 will be generously made on behalf of AFC Board Member Bill Shea and his husband, Frank Selvaggi. “Sandy upended the lives of many New Yorkers, but not nearly as much as the youth of the Ali Forney Center, who now have nowhere to turn for basic services such as shelter and food. We are proud to help our community come together in support of its most vulnerable youth,” said Shea and Selvaggi.

I'll be there tomorrow! You can also donate directly via the AFC's website.

Openly Gay NYC Council Candidate Corey Johnson Rolls Out Huge List Of Backers

Manhattan Community Board 4 (Chelsea) chair Corey Johnson has published a 500-name list of backers in his campaign for City Council. Politicker reports:

West side City Council candidate Corey Johnson can safely be claimed the early front-runner in the race to replace Christine Quinn, having already maxed out in fundraising and now rolling a rather impressive list of over 500 neighborhood leaders who he says back him for the seat. “Our campaign is moving into a new phase of excitement,” Mr. Johnson said. “The support from grassroots leaders and activists is overwhelming. Together, we can work together for more affordable housing, stronger schools with smaller class sizes, economic and social justice, and the intangible quality of life elements that are so essential the city we love.”

DISCLOSURE: Johnson is an acquaintance of mine and my name appears in the portion of the list for supporters who live outside his district.

NEW YORK CITY: Gay Activist Corey Johnson Explores Bid For City Council

Towleroad tips us that New York City-based activist Corey Johnson, about whom I've written for several years, is exploring a bid to replace Christine Quinn, who will be term-limited out of her City Council seat next year.

Mr. Johnson, who is one of the youngest Community Board Chairmen in the city, previously worked as deputy director for programs at GLAAD. He was among the expected candidates in the potential field that includes Yetta Kurland, an attorney who hosts her own radio show, Brad Hoylman, the chair of Community Board 2, and Andrew Berman, the executive director of the Greenwich Village Society for Historical Preservation. Interestingly, as City & State pointed out, all of these candidates identify as LGBT and the race highlights some of the disagreements and political divisions within the community.

RELATED: Johnson appeared on MSNBC in February to explain GLAAD's support for Ellen DeGeneres in the face of the Million Moms boycott. Johnson first came to national attention in 2000 when he became the nation's first openly gay high school football captain.

GLAAD Backs Ellen On MSNBC

My pal Corey Johnson appeared on MSNBC to explain GLAAD's support for Ellen DeGeneres in the continuing battle of press releases with One Million Moms.

SLIDESHOW: Victory Fund Brunch NYC

Today I attended the first annual Victory Fund brunch in NYC, where headliner Rep. Barney Frank talked at length about the difficulties we face in the repeal of DADT and even getting ENDA to a vote. Comedian Alec Mapa hosted, NYC Council Speaker Christine Quinn spoke, anti-Quinn activists protested outside, and a literal who's who of political homorati mingled over mimosas.

In the house: all the gay NYC council members, activist and event co-chair David Mixner, activist Corey Johnson, early DADT activist Joe Steffan, comedian Kate Clinton and her partner Urvashi Vaid, Reichen Lehmkuhl, actor Jack Noseworthy, former GLAAD head Neil Giuliano, and a boatload of probably similarly famous people that I don't know. I'll let you name them in the slideshow below, since I can't. Lots of ridiculously handsome men within. Full-screen versions of the below photos are here.

SLIDESHOW: Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand LGBT Fundraiser In NYC

Last night NY Assemblyman Daniel O'Donnell, Pam Spaulding, and Jeremy Hooper joined me at Hell's Kitchen's Therapy Lounge for an LGBT fundraiser for U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, an event put together by Out For Kirsten's Todd Beeton. Dropping by were SiriusXM host Michelangelo Signorile, activist Corey Johnson, former Clinton White House adviser Ricard Socarides, and other homo-politicos. Great night! Full-screen version of the below photos can be found here.

Undercover NYPD Cop Rants Outside Of West Village Gay Bar: This Fag Establishment Needs To Be Closed!

Well known NYC gay activists Allen Roskoff and Corey Johnson say they were harassed outside a West Village gay bar by a man later identified as an undercover NYPD detective. Chi Chiz, a Christopher Street bar favored by black gay men, has been the subject of a recent raid over allegations of drug dealing inside the club. Club owners are claiming harassment and overzealous prosecution. The day after the raid, Roskoff and Johnson went to the club where the following is alleged to have occurred.

According to Roskoff — who was with Corey Johnson, also a gay activist and the 1st vice chair of Chelsea’s Community Board 4 (which does not encompass Christopher Street) — as they arrived at the club, the young white man was standing outside yelling, “This fag establishment should be closed.” When Roskoff and Johnson confronted the man, he responded to each of them, “You’re a faggot.” Roskoff said he called 911, at which point the man headed east on Christopher until he arrived at the cigar store at Sheridan Square, where he went inside and changed his clothes, before hailing a cab. At that point, a squad car pulled up and the man was asked to step out of the taxi. The officer at the scene said “Oh, no” when he saw the man, whom he recognized as an undercover in his precinct, according to Roskoff, who said he was interviewed by telephone at 2 a.m. by an NYPD Internal Affairs investigator who had arrived at the Sixth.

Thomas Shanahan, who is representing McKenzie and Ray, said that he was told by Laura Mulle, the NYPD legal unit attorney in the Chi Chiz case, that the man who confronted and then fled from Roskoff and Johnson was, in fact, an undercover Sixth Precinct cop, but that he had been put on desk assignment. Mulle would not divulge the name of the officer to Shanahan — she advised him to file a Freedom of Information Act request. Mulle also declined comment to Gay City News, directing the newspaper to the NYPD’s public information office, which did not respond to a request for information about the undercover officer or his desk reassignment. Shanahan said he has served a subpoena naming Joe Doe targeted at the undercover officer, as well as a notice that he seeks to depose him.

A judge is seeking to broker an agreement between the club and the NYPD in which club owners will "guarantee" that no drugs will be sold amongst the customers. One owner responded, "We can’t guarantee that. When the city figures out how to keep drugs off Rikers Island, they can hold us to the same standard."

(Via Paul Schindler @ Gay City News)