Quote Of The Day - Daniel O'Donnell

"As for many, there is a deeply personal element to this historic victory for me. I am very recognizably Irish-American, from my face to my name, but until these last few weeks, I have often felt that I don’t belong. Last month I was invited to Ireland by the Lawyers for Yes Campaign to help kick off the final weeks of advocacy. As the legislative sponsor of Marriage Equality in New York State, I shared my experience on the fight to achieve equal rights. Irish people from all over the world returned home to vote in this election. I returned to the birthplace of my family to help in any way I could. I feel proud to be Irish in a new way today after the people of Ireland declared that one can be Irish and gay and recognized in loving same-sex relationships. Thank you, Ireland, for voting for another step toward universal human rights for all." - New York Assemblyman Daniel O'Donnell, in a letter published today by the New York Times.

NEW YORK: Assembly Passes Ban On "Ex-Gay" Torture Of LGBT Youth

Via press release from the Pride Agenda:

“Today the New York State Assembly stood with us and agreed that we’ve allowed our children to be subjected to harm for too long and that state licensed therapists should not be allowed to practice widely discredited and damaging conversion therapies that try to change a young person’s sexual orientation or gender identity,” said Empire State Pride Agenda Executive Director Nathan M. Schaefer. “State licensed therapists must not be legally allowed to intentionally harm children. We call on the Senate to swiftly pass this bill and get it to Governor Cuomo’s desk for his signature this session.”

As Jane Shurka, the mother of a conversion therapy survivor Mathew, so eloquently relayed yesterday on the rally stage facing the Capitol Building at the Pride Agenda’s big LGBT advocacy day, Equality & Justice Day, “I don’t blame my ex or myself so much as I blame the therapist. He’s the one with the license and he convinced us that orientation can change when we didn’t know any better. If conversion therapy is not available to minors under 18, parents may question themselves and realize there’s a good reason not to do it. We must pass this bill and make conversion therapy illegal in New York. If it were illegal when my son was coming out, he may not have lost five precious years of his life to this dangerous practice. And I could have been the proud mom of a gay son a lot sooner!”

The state Senate, as always, will be a much bigger lift.

NEW YORK: Dem Assembly Speaker To Be Arrested On Corruption Charges

Federal authorities are expected to arrest Democratic New York Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver today on charges of corruption.Via the New York Times:

The investigation that led to the expected charges against Mr. Silver, a Democrat from the Lower East Side of Manhattan who has served as speaker for more than two decades, began after Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo in March abruptly shut down an anticorruption commission he had created in 2013. Details of the specific charges to be brought against Mr. Silver were unclear on Wednesday night, but one of the people with knowledge of the matter said they stemmed from payments that Mr. Silver received from a small law firm that specializes in seeking reductions of New York City real estate taxes. The total amount of the payments was unclear, but another person has said they were substantial and were made over several years. Mr. Silver failed to list the payments from the firm, Goldberg & Iryami, on his annual financial disclosure filings with the state, as required.

Several New York outlets have observed that the billionaire condo owners in One57, one of Manhattan's latest supertalls, will likely reap a large property tax break due to Silver's intervention. Last week the 90th floor penthouse of One57 sold for a record-setting $100M.

RELATED:  Multiple Democratic members of the New York legislature have been arrested and convicted on various charges in recent years. In 2013 former Senate Majority Leader Malcolm Smith was arrested by the FBI on charges that he tried to buy his way onto the New York City mayoral ballot. Also that year Sen. Pedro Espada was arrested on corruption charges that he blamed on having been molested by a man when he was a child. One month later Sen. John Sampson surrendered to the FBI on embezzlement charges. In 2012 Sen. Hiram Monserrate was convicted on campaign finance charges. Also that year Sen. Shirley Huntley was charged with funneling public money into a charity she operated. And in the case most-closely followed here on JMG, in 2011 closeted Sen. Carl Kruger pleaded guilty to charges that he and his gynecologist boyfriend had taken over $1M in bribes to fund fund an extravagant lifestyle which included a garish waterfront mansion, a luxury yacht, and a Bentley.

HomoQuotable - Daniel O'Donnell

"My partner John and I were among the plaintiffs in the New York State Court of Appeals lawsuit challenging the definition of marriage in 2006. Losing that lawsuit made me realize that my legislative priority had to be the passage of New York's Marriage Equality Act. So we took our struggle to the State Legislature. I introduced and gained passage of New York's first Marriage Equality Bill through the State Assembly in 2007, when public support for marriage equality was under 50 percent. Between April and June of that year, in conjunction with numerous grassroots groups, including synagogues, churches, LGBTQ advocacy organizations, and statewide and national coalitions, we worked to convince 85 of the 150 assembly members from across the state to support marriage equality.

"For every debate and every vote, my partner (now husband!) John joined me in Albany to show my colleagues whom they were voting for. We were a couple like any other, a couple who had been together longer than most -- at that point over 30 years -- and all we were asking for was legal recognition of our commitment to one another. Slowly we won converts, as more of my colleagues and more of the residents of New York learned what same-sex marriage would mean for our state. Sometimes progress happens one individual at a time. Three governors, four years, and a continuing, massive grassroots movement later, we were able to pass this historic act through both houses of the legislature on this day in June 2011." - New York state Assemblyman Daniel O'Donnell, celebrating the anniversary for the Huffington Post.

RELATED: A reception for O'Donnell's reelection campaign will be held from 5-7PM tonight at Cafe du Soleil at 2723 Broadway (@ 104th Street). Donate online 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.

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.

NY Assemblyman Daniel O'Donnell Delivers Epic Rant On Transgender Rights

On Tuesday the New York state Assembly approved GENDA, the transgender rights bill, for the sixth time. But not before openly gay Assemblyman Daniel O'Donnell delivered an epic rant against the idiots who characterized the item as a "bathroom bill."  O'Donnell: "Spare me your lectures about GOD DAMN bathrooms!"

Yet Another NY Dem Busted For Corruption

Democratic New York Assemblyman Eric Stevenson was arrested today on federal corruption charges.

“Stevenson is accused of taking bribes in exchange for official acts, which included drafting, proposing, and agreeing to enact legislation that would benefit the co-defendants’ businesses,” the release announcing the press conference declared. “Two of the other defendants are also charged in connection with their payment of a bribe to another Assemblyman, who was actually cooperating with the Government at the time. The charges include conspiracy to deprive New York State and its citizens of Eric Stevenson’s honest services, federal programs and Travel Act bribery conspiracy, federal programs bribery, and Travel Act bribery conspiracy.”

The "cooperating" Assemblyman not named above is thought to be Bronx Democrat Nelson Castro, who may be resigning today. Stevenson's arrest follows the bust of one-time Senate Majority Leader Malcolm Smith (D), who was handcuffed outside his Queens home on Tuesday on charges that he attempted to bribe his way onto the Republican mayoral primary ballot for New York City. Three other former Senate Democrats are already in prison with a fourth due to be sentenced soon. What a mess.

Anti-Pot GOP Rep Busted For Pot

New York GOP Assemblyman Steve Katz, who is mostly known for his loud opposition to medical marijuana, has had a little run-in with the cops.

In a mailing to constituents, the Yorktown Republican, who serves on the Assembly Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Committee, warned: “Our community has been stricken with an increase in drug use and drunk driving by our youngest citizens.”  On Thursday morning, Katz was ticketed near Albany, accused of speeding and marijuana possession, state police said Friday. Katz, 59, who was first elected to the Assembly in 2010, was pulled over on the northbound Thruway in Coeymans for driving 80 mph in a 65 mph zone, police said. The state trooper noted the smell of marijuana when he approached Katz’s car, police said. Katz turned over a small bag of what appeared to be marijuana, state police spokeswoman Darcy Wells said.

Katz: "This should not overshadow the work I have done over the years for the public and my constituency."  The "issues" page on Katz' website has been deleted.

NY Assembly Passes Gun Bill

The New York Assembly today followed yesterday's action by the state Senate in approving the bill that is being described as the nation's strongest gun control measure.

Openly gay Assemblyman Daniel O'Donnell cheers via press release:

We as a community are still reeling from our overwhelming losses in Webster, NY and Newtown, CT. Even one injury or death from gun-related violence is too many, and last year our country felt the shock and grief these events bring all too frequently. Passing today’s legislation was the least my colleagues and I could do to honor the memory of those lost in 2012, and I am proud that we came together to do so.

I want to thank Governor Cuomo for including in the SAFE Act elements of a bill of mine I have long championed. This section of the bill will require that gun licenses be revoked and/or suspended from individuals subject to an order of protection. With this new safeguard and many other common-sense changes to gun safety laws, our government has proven the strength of its commitment to the security and well-being of all its citizens.

Daniel O'Donnell, DNC Delegate

NY Assemblyman Daniel O'Donnell is also a DNC delegate. O'Donnell was the primary Assembly sponsor of the marriage equality bill all three times it passed.

NEW YORK: State Assembly Candidate Laments Crime In The "Negrohood"

New York Assembly candidate Ben Akselrod says "negrohood" was just an "unfortunate typo" in the campaign flyer sent to voters in his Queens district. He must have a different keyboard than the rest of the us. His campaign manager has resigned.

Danny O'Donnell: Mitt Gets Worse

My buddy!

NY Assemblyman Daniel O'Donnell Gets His Marriage License After 31 Years

Yesterday New York Assemblyman Daniel O'Donnell and his partner John Banta finally got their marriage license after 31 years together. As has been well documented on this blog, O'Donnell is one of the chief architects of marriage equality in New York, having led his chamber to approve the issue in three consecutive years.

O’Donnell and Banta were at the City Clerk’s office in Downtown Manhattan on Wednesday to obtain their marriage license, but the ceremony and reception will be a much more elaborate affair taking place on Sunday. The guest list reads like a who’s who of New York politics and invitations have gone out to more than 400 guests. “I invited almost all of the members of the Assembly and almost all the members of the Senate who voted yes to come to my wedding, which, when you add their spouses, that’s a lot of people," said O'Donnell. "So they were invited, and most of them are coming.” Senators Charles Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand are expected, as is former Governor David Paterson; Cuomo cannot make it. Judith Kaye, the state’s former chief judge, will officiate.

O'Donnell represents Manhattan's Upper West Side. In lieu of a wedding gift, how about a donation to his 2012 campaign?

NY Assembly Approves Marriage

Openly gay New York state Assemblyman Daniel O'Donnell has shepherded his chamber to an approval of marriage equality for the fourth time. Gay City News reports:

While State Senate Republicans on June 15 dragged their heels on moving a marriage equality bill to debate and a vote, the Assembly, having waived the three-day hold on newly introduced legislation, rushed Governor Andrew Cuomo’s measure through committee and to the floor, where it passed by an 80-63 vote Wednesday evening. This was the Assembly’s fourth vote on marriage equality, each one of them successful, since 2007. Upper West Side Assemblyman Daniel O’Donnell, an out gay Democrat, is the lead sponsor. On the heels of two Republican senators pledging their “yes” votes in recent days, the majority in that chamber met behind closed doors for more than four hours on Wednesday morning, only to announce they would pick up the discussion again the following day. Senators who have yet to firmly commit to one side or another refused comment or stuck to their noncommittal positions. The public count of Senate supporters stands at 31, one vote shy of a majority.

NY Assembly Votes Today

That vote is a done deal, of course. Meanwhile today state Senate Republicans met for four hours to discuss allowing a vote in their GOP-dominated chamber. The meeting ended with no decision.

UPDATE: Gay City News reports on the Senate.

The New York State Senate Republican majority conference emerged from a closed-door meeting today having failed to reach agreement on whether to allow a floor debate and vote on Governor Andrew Cuomo's marriage equality bill. "We have reached no conclusion," Dean Skelos, the Long Island Republican who is the majority leader, told reporters as he came out of the meeting. "Members have asked me to keep these discussions in confidence, and we will conference again on it tomorrow."

Greg Ball, the Putnam County Republican who has for weeks raised concerns about the need for religious exemptions, continued talking about that issue as he left the room. Earlier in the day, Ball released a letter spelling out requirements for language he would need to see in the bill in order to support it. One of those requirements is that religious organizations be exempt from providing services to which they object on religious grounds -- a demand that would seem to go well beyond the carve-outs already existing in New York law that Cuomo incorporated into his marriage equality program bill.

Assemblyman Sam Hoyt For NY Marriage

Hoyt is the New York Assembly's majority whip, the guy in charge of rounding up votes.

NEW YORK: Daniel O'Donnell Introduces Marriage Equality Bill In State Assembly

Openly gay New York Assemblyman Daniel O'Donnell yesterday once again introduced a marriage equality bill to his chamber. Similar bills authored by O'Donnell have passed in the Assembly several times in recent years. He writes via press release:

"It is with great pride that I am introducing the Marriage Equality Act. Since the Assembly last passed the bill in 2009, there has been an overwhelming groundswell of support for Marriage Equality across our state. Recent poll numbers have shown a strong majority of New Yorkers now stand firmly in support of Marriage Equality. However, nowhere was this powerful belief in equality more clear than at Monday's 'Equality and Justice Day' rally in Albany, where citizens from across our state came together and demanded equality under law in one unified voice."

NEW YORK CITY: Lawmaker Introduces Bill To Tax Plastic Bags At 25 Cents

New York state Assemblyman Micah Kellner has introduced a bill that would impose a 25 cent tax on every plastic bag issued by New York City retailers. Every year the city sends 5.2 billion plastic bags to the landfill.

"I want to make it a faux pas to be seen on the street with a plastic bag," said Kellner, a Manhattan Democrat. "While we may use plastic bags for a couple of minutes to bring home our groceries, they stay in the environment for thousands of years." Kellner is sponsoring a bill, introduced late last month, that would impose a 25-cent tax on every plastic bag used to carry groceries or other store merchandise in New York City. The same bill would incentivize the use of reusable shopping bags -- made of canvas or thicker, sometimes recycled plastic -- by allowing grocers to give them to consumers if they leave a quarter as a deposit. After a year, the unclaimed quarters would be swept to City Hall's coffers. A tax break would be offered to cover "a majority" of the cost of reusable bags, which cost over $1 on the low end, more if you want hemp or recycled cotton.

Unsurprisingly, plastic bag manufacturers are opposed to Kellner's bill, with one industry spokesman saying, "By that math, he's taxing a family $3.75 every time they go to the grocery store -- money they could use to buy milk for their children." Kellner, the state's only openly bisexual legislator, can often be found outside of Upper East Side stores where he hands out reusable bags with his name on them. "I'm the Justin Bieber of tote bags," he says.

Bronx Pol: If You Tax Cigarettes Too Much, The Terrorists Have Won

A just-approved hike in the state tax on cigarettes will raise the cost to around $12/pack in NYC, prompting Bronx Assemblyman Michael Benjamin to claim that Gov. Paterson hates Israel. Because higher cigarette prices encourages bootlegging. Which is done by terrorists.

"Criminals and terrorists will be further enticed to take advantage of the price differential between high tax and low tax jurisdictions, ie, NYS/NYC, Native American reservation smokeshops, and/or any southern state. We are sowing the seeds of increased terrorism-related activities by those who mean America, Israel and our other allies harm," he said.

Terrorists have been found in the cigarette bootlegging business. The new tax is expected to generate about $440M in added revenue. The state budget has a current shortfall of $9B. NYC adds its own tax to cigarettes and when the price first hit $10/pack last year, the city estimated that about 40,000 residents gave up the habit. A survey taken at the time indicated that the next "breaking point" for smokers would be at the $15/pack level.