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.

NEW YORK: State Assembly Passes Ban On "Ex-Gay" Torture For Minors

Via the Wall Street Journal:

New York's Assembly has passed a ban against health professionals trying to change a child's sexual orientation through therapy. On Monday the Democratic-led Assembly passed the ban 86 to 28. It would prohibit licensed psychologists, psychiatrists, social workers, mental health practitioners and physicians from using conversion therapy on anyone under 18. Clergy would not be included. The American Psychological Association says there is no evidence so-called gay conversion therapy can change someone's sexual orientation. Bans against gay conversion therapy have already gone into law in New Jersey and California. A proposed ban was voted down in Illinois in April. Opponents of the ban say that it may infringe on a person's freedom of speech.

The Empire State Pride Agenda reacts.

“We’re thrilled by the rapid progress and bipartisan support this bill has earned during this session. We are hopeful that we can see this legislation signed into law this year. We call on the New York State Senate to follow the example of their Assembly colleagues, as well as leaders in New Jersey and California, the medical community, and public opinion, by passing this bill now so we can put it on Governor Cuomo’s desk for a signature.” said Empire State Pride Agenda Executive Director Nathan M. Schaefer. “This issue is non-partisan; we’re all in agreement that harming LGBT youth is unacceptable and we must put an end to this damaging and discredited practice. We cannot let another day go by where our youngest New Yorkers are vulnerable to this avoidable harm.”

The bill's sponsor in the state Senate is openly gay Sen. Brad Hoylman, who writes:

"Today's passage of A.6983-B in the New York State Assembly is a major step towards banning so-called conversion ’therapy‘ on LGBT youth by licensed mental health professionals. Being an LGBT young person isn't an illness that needs to be cured. Thanks to the leadership of Assembly Member Glick and Speaker Silver, we're one step closer to joining New Jersey and California in protecting our kids from being subject to this dangerous practice and their parents from being victims of a proven scam. Banning conversion therapy is a nonpartisan issue that should receive full consideration by my colleagues in the Senate."

The bill faces an uphill battle in the state Senate, where the slim Republican majority has often swatted down pro-LGBT measures with the aid of "Democrats" like Sen. Ruben Diaz. GENDA, the transgender rights bill, has been approved by the Assembly seven times but has never made it through the Senate.

NEW YORK: Gay Lawmakers Introduce Bill To Ban "Ex-Gay" Torture Of Minors

Via press release from the Empire State Pride Agenda:

This legislation would protect LGBT youth from so-called therapists who use dangerous and discredited practices aimed at changing their sexual orientation or gender identity or expression. “Trying to change someone’s true identity through so-called therapy is a dangerous practice that can seriously harm our LGBT youth,” said Pride Agenda Executive Director Nathan M. Schaefer. “Anyone who says they can change an LGBT person from being who they are is preying off of fear and confusion to sell a practice that doesn’t work and causes lasting harm.” “We are happy that Empire State Pride Agenda is advocating for this important legislation,” said Assemblymember Deborah Glick (D – Manhattan). “Stronger laws to protect LGBT youth from being subjected to these unsafe and disproven practices are long overdue.” "Banning this so-called 'therapy' is a bipartisan issue. Since last spring, legislation prohibiting it has passed with bipartisan support in New Jersey and was upheld by a federal court in California,” said Senator Brad Hoylman (D,WFP – Manhattan). "It's time for New York to protect our kids from this insidious practice, which has been thoroughly discredited by experts and poses a serious threat to the health and well-being of LGBT youth."

Similar bills have passed in California and New Jersey. Last week a similar bill was introduced in Maryland.

NEW YORK: Legislators Renew Push For Ban On "Ex-Gay" Therapy For Minors

Perhaps emboldened by the success in New Jersey, a trio of  New York state legislators are renewing the push to ban "ex-gay" therapy for minors.

State Sens. Brad Hoylman (D-Manhattan), Michael Gianaris (D-Queens) and Assemblywoman Deborah Glick say New York pols should swiftly pass a similar bill they introduced earlier this year that stalled in Albany. “Conversion therapy is among the worst frauds in history and has been discredited by the American Psychological Association and other leading mental health organizations,” said Hoylman [pictured], the state’s only openly gay senator. The New York bill would bar mental health providers from trying to change the sexual orientation of anyone under the age of 18. If enacted, a licensed mental health provider who ignored the law would be cited for unprofessional conduct and subject to licensing sanctions.

RELATED: The anti-gay Liberty Counsel yesterday announced that it will sue to block New Jersey's bill from being implemented. California's bill, which was signed last September by Gov. Jerry Brown, remains on hold due to the Liberty Counsel's appeal.

NEW YORK CITY: Gay Politicians Demand Obama Act On Russia's Anti-Gay Abuses

A coalition of gay New York state legislators and gay NYC politicians have issued a joint letter to President Obama which demands that he respond to Russia's crackdown on LGBT people by canceling a coming meeting with Vladimir Putin. Via press release, here's the letter in full:

Dear President Obama:

We write as lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) elected officials from New York City in anticipation of your deciding whether to continue or cancel plans for an upcoming diplomatic trip to Russia to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin. While you are considering whether to cancel that trip in light of Russia's decision to give asylum to Edward Snowden, we also urge you to consider the country's horrendous treatment of members of the LGBT community and its clear human rights abuses aimed at our community. Russia has become a country that persecutes anyone who might be LGBT or supports gay rights.

As then Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said on behalf of your administration, “Gay rights are human rights, and human rights are gay rights. It should never be a crime to be gay.” Given that President Putin and Russia have enacted laws to criminalize gay people and supporters and deny human rights to their LGBT citizens, they should not be the beneficiary of any trip by your office until they fully restore all civil rights to LGBT people in their country. Recent actions taken by the Russian government have led LGBT citizens to face not only a society that is intolerant of their basic civil rights, but also a country that would imprison them for declaring support for their own fundamental rights as humans. This has promoted an atmosphere of hate where gay people fear for their own lives and safety. Police are allowed to arrest foreigners who are considered gay or pro-gay and detain them for up to 14 days. Under their new law, as a pro-gay supporter even you could be subject to arrest and imprisonment while in Russia.

Mr. President, you will remember that in December 2011 the White House released a presidential memorandum directing executive officers and agencies that deal in foreign affairs to address human rights abuses against LGBT people abroad and to pressure foreign governments to decriminalize homosexuality. Now it is time for you and your administration to directly act on this memorandum. The LGBT community and its allies in Russia are under attack and the victims of clear human rights abuses. We urge you to stand in solidarity with us. Refuse any diplomatic mission to Russia until President Putin stops these abuses now and agrees to make Russia a country that proudly supports its LGBT community and its allies worldwide. We expect nothing less.

The letter was signed by NYC Council Speaker Christine Quinn, state Sen. Brad Hoylman, Assemblywoman Deborah J. Glick, Assemblyman Matthew Titone, Assemblyman Daniel O’Donnell, Assemblyman Micah Kellner, and NYC Council members Jimmy Van Bramer, Rosie Mendez, and Daniel Dromm.

Gay NY State Reps Endorse Quinn

New York state Assemblymember Deborah Glick and state Sen. Brad Hoylman have endorsed Christine Quinn for New York City mayor.  Via their joint press release:

“Christine Quinn has remained a stalwart advocate of civil rights, driven by a passion for equality and justice,” said State Senator Brad Hoylman. “She is a ‘do-er’ not a ‘say-er’—her commitment to improving housing and employment rights, increasing public safety, ensuring reproductive freedom and fighting against discrimination in the workplace shows Christine is true leader who will move New York City forward. As a grassroots organizer, I know what it takes to get the job done and Christine Quinn is the candidate I can count on to make sure New York City is just and fair, for residents of all races, genders, sexualities and backgrounds.”

Hoylman was first elected in November and is the only openly gay member of the state Senate. His district includes Chelsea, Hell's Kitchen, and the West Village. Glick's district covers the West Village and much of lower Manhattan. She was the first ever openly gay New York state legislator and is in her eleventh term in the Assembly.

Straight Couple Ditches New York To Hold Wedding In Gay-Friendlier Connecticut

New Yorkers Matt Borden and Rachel Henes say they are ditching the Empire State to hold their wedding in Connecticut, a move they are making as a show of solidarity to LGBT New Yorkers who cannot legal wed in their own state. Borden is chief of staff to Assemblymember Deborah Glick, New York's first openly gay state legislator.

They’re hoping to spark a trend, to get more straight couples to marry in the Nutmeg State, or in any other state that affords equal marriage rights to gay couples. “When we were thinking about getting married it was hard not to look around and realize that it was a real privilege that we could,” Borden, 30, said. “It’s an opportunity to get people to think about the issue,” he said. The couple, who live in Clinton Hill, are writing letters to the governors of New York and Connecticut, as well as to key New York assemblymembers, to inform them of their decision, and to point out exactly how much money their marriage will bring to Connecticut, and how much New York will lose. If lots of other straight couples take up the cause, as Borden and Henes hope they will, it could represent a significant drain of dollars from the Empire State. The letter will be signed by the couple, as well as by wedding guests, “like a petition,” said Henes, 32. “Money is not the primary motivation,” Borden said, “nor do I think in the end it’s going to be what sways people, but it’s an important consideration.”

Borden added: "If every straight person decided they were not going to get married in a state where same-sex marriage was illegal, I think there would be a huge shift. We really hope that it catches on."

New York Primary Deadline Is Friday, Register To Vote Online Via LGBT Center

This Friday, August 15th, is the deadline to register for New York's September 9th primary. The NYC Gay & Lesbian Community Center has a goal of registering 2000 new LGBT voters by then. You can register to vote online via their site.

All of New York's 29 seats in the House of Representatives are in contention, as are all 436 seats nationwide. Of New York's 29 Congressional districts, 25 incumbents are running to keep their seats, including my own Congressperson, the fabulous Carolyn Maloney.

BUT, three out of the four retiring New York Reps are Republican, including Staten Island's vile, anti-gay Vito "Family Values (With A Mistress And A Love Child)" Fossella, the only Republican representing NYC in Congress. THAT is why the NYS primary is important, my tender kittens. Staten Island homos, represent.

And lets not forget the 150 seats in the state Assembly or the 62 seats in the state Senate, all of which are up for grabs. Openly LGBT Assembly members Daniel O'Donnell, Deborah Glick, Matthew Titone, and (my own Assemblyman) Micah Kellner need your support.

As does Thomas Duane, the only openly gay (and openly HIV positive) member of the state Senate. Duane's district stretches down the west side of Manhattan from 85th Street to Canal Street and encompasses major gayborhoods Hell's Kitchen, Chelsea, and the East and West Village.

If you are not registered to vote in New York, please help the LGBT Center reach their goal.