John Albert is an attorney making his first try for public office as a candidate for the newly created Assembly district in Flushing. He is an active member of the Hate Crimes Coalition and the Downstate Coalition of Crime Victims. He has also received the endorsement of the Guillermo Vazquez Independent Democratic Club.

Vivian Cook has a long history of supporting lesbian and gay issues, including SONDA and the Dignity For All Students Act. Ms. Cook has served in the State Assembly since 1990.

Jose Peralta is a 30-year-old Dominican union leader making his first effort for elected office in a newly created district in Corona/Jackson Heights. He has worked with the LGBT employee group Pride At Work and as an advocate for LGBT student issues as a member of the United States Student Association. Mr. Peralta has been endorsed by the Lesbian and Gay Democratic Club of Queens and the Guillermo Vazquez Independent Democratic Club.

Clarence Norman is an attorney and chairman of the Kings County Democratic Party. Mr. Norman has been endorsed by the Lambda Independent Democrats of Brooklyn.

Adele Cohen has served in the Assembly since 1998. She is a co-sponsor of SONDA and the Dignity For All Students Act and is an outstanding advocate for gay and lesbian rights, including same-sex marriages. She has also been endorsed by the Lambda Independent Democrats of Brooklyn.

Roger Green is the chair of the Assembly's Children and Families Committee. Mr. Green held a first-ever hearing in Manhattan's LGBT Community Center to specifically hear concerns regarding lesbian and gay families. Mr. Green has served in the Assembly for 22 years and is a consistent supporter of SONDA and the Dignity For All Students Act. He has also been instrumental in bringing funding to constituent groups for HIV/AIDS services. Mr. Green has also endorsed by the Out People of Color Political Action Club and the Lambda Independent Democrats of Brooklyn.

Daniel O’Donnell is one of two openly gay men running in a high-profile race in a large field of candidates to replace longtime Assemblymember Edward Sullivan. Assemblymember Sullivan has endorsed Mr. O'Donnell. Mr. O'Donnell, 41, is a public interest attorney and former Legal Aid lawyer. He has long been active in the Upper West Side community, Democratic Party politics and LGBT organizations. Mr. O'Donnell has been a district leader and a candidate for State Senate.

Mr. O'Donnell has been endorsed by the Gay and Lesbian Independent Democrats, Stonewall Democratic Club, Gay and Lesbian Victory Fund, Assemblymember Deborah Glick and State Senator Tom Duane. Endorsements have also come from NYC Council members Margarita Lopez and Christine Quinn and community school board members Brian Ellner, Doug Robinson and Larry Sauer.

Naomi Matusow is a twelve-year Assembly incumbent who has been a longtime supporter of the White Plains-based LGBT community center, the Loft, and is a staunch supporter of lesbian and gay rights. She has also been endorsed by the Stonewall Democrats of Westchester County.

Noam Bramson is a New Rochelle City Councilman and former staff member to Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney. He is challenging incumbent Ronald Tocci for the Democratic Party nomination. Mr. Tocci consistently votes against SONDA and voted against the Dignity For All Students Act this year. Mr. Bramson's election to this seat would add a valuable ally in the Assembly on LGBT issues. Mr. Bramson has also been endorsed by the Stonewall Democrats of Westchester County.

Ellen Jaffee has been a Rockland County legislator since 1998. Ms. Jaffee was the sponsor of a recent resolution in the county legislature calling on the State Assembly to pass the Dignity For All Students Act. Ms. Jaffe is in a tight three-way race with two other county legislators to replace former Assemblymember Samuel Colman, who is retiring after 18 years. Ms. Jaffee has been endorsed by Nyack Mayor John Shields and Orangetown Democratic chair Tom Dinan.

Barbara Lifton serves as the chief of staff to retiring Assemblymember Martin Luster, who has endorsed Ms. Lifton in this three-way race. Ms. Lifton brings a longtime familiarity with issues of the district and the LGBT community. She has been endorsed by Tompkins County legislator Kathy Luz Herrera.

Crystal Peoples has been an Erie County legislator since 1993. Ms. Peoples is a popular candidate whose progressive record gives her widespread community support. She is running to replace longtime incumbent Arthur Eve, who is retiring after serving 36 years in the Assembly. Ms. Peoples has been endorsed by the Stonewall Democrats of Western New York.