CITY OF NEW YORK

NYC Mayor Democratic Primary - Gifford Miller (Challenger)

Gifford Miller is a longtime supporter of the LGBT community, from his first run for public office in 1995 though his current position as Speaker of the NYC Council.

The number of LGBT bills and issues coming before the City Council during his tenure as Speaker is unprecedented. His leadership was instrumental in the passage of such legislation as the Equal Benefits Bill (EBB), the Transgender Civil Rights Bill, and the Dignity in All Schools Act (DASA). In addition, he led the Council to overwhelmingly override Mayoral vetoes of both the EBB and DASA.

Miller has pro-actively taken a series of steps that are supportive of domestic partners and has been a vocal supporter of marriage equality. He publicly supported the Harvey Milk High School in 2003 when it was under national attack by opponents who mischaracterized the reason for its establishment. He successfully blocked cuts to HIV/AIDS clinics, called for better housing for people living with HIV and AIDS, and funded efforts to fight HIV and AIDS in communities of color.

Empire State Pride Agenda is proud to endorse Gifford Miller's candidacy in the Democratic primary for Mayor of New York City.

Speaker Miller's three opponents, Fernando Ferrer, C. Virginia Fields, and Anthony D. Weiner, all returned candidate questionnaires seeking the Pride Agenda's endorsement. They all expressed their support for a number of LGBT issues, including the right of same-sex couples to marry. The key difference between Miller and the other candidates was Miller's position as Council Speaker and his willingness to use the power of his office in an unprecedented manner to work for LGBT New Yorkers.

NYC Public Advocate Democratic Primary - Betsy F. Gotbaum (Incumbent)

Seeking her second term as Public Advocate, Betsy Gotbaum has been a public supporter of the LGBT community, always speaking at key public event and press conference defending our community and celebrating our victories. In her response to our candidate questionnaire, Ms. Gotbaum said, "I have been at the forefront in supporting the LGBT community's fight for human rights, including securing equal benefits for domestic partners and the right for same-sex couples to marry."

Empire State Pride Agenda is proud to endorse Betsy Gotbaum's candidacy in the Democratic primary for New York City Public Advocate.

Ms. Gotbaum has a number of challengers. Two of them, Andrew Rasiej and Norman Siegel, returned candidate questionnaires seeking the Pride Agenda's endorsement. Mr. Siegel, the attorney on the "Nyack 10" marriage case, and Mr. Rasiej both expressed their support for a number of LGBT issues, including the right of same-sex couples to marry.

NYC Council, District 2 Democratic Primary - Rosie Mendez (Open Seat)

Rosie Mendez is a fourth-term Female Democratic District Leader and former Chief of Staff to Councilwoman Margarita Lopez. She has said, "As an out lesbian, I have a history of fighting for LGBT people and I pledge, elected to the NYC Council or not, that I will continue that fight. . . .In 2002, as Chief of Staff to Councilwoman Margarita Lopez, I worked on passage of the Transgender Rights legislation. In between, I worked on a variety of LGBT issues, including the fight against the Army's 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' policy. Most recently, I have advocated for same sex couples' right to marry."

Empire State Pride Agenda is proud to endorse Rosie Mendez's candidacy in the Democratic primary for NYC City Council, District 2.

Ms. Mendez has a number of opponents. Four of them, Darren Bloch, Claudia Flanagan, Christopher Papajohn, and Guy Tsabar, returned questionnaires seeking the Pride Agenda's endorsement. They all expressed their support for a number of LGBT issues, including the right of same-sex couples to marry.

NYC Council, District 4 Democratic Primary - Daniel R. Garodnick (Open Seat)

Dan Garodnick is the lawyer representing 13 same-sex couples in their marriage case against the State Department of Health. In response to our candidate questionnaire, he stated, "As my professional background illustrates, I am already an advocate for the LGBT community. I am committed to these issues because they are just and right, and will continue to stand with the Pride Agenda as a member of the City Council."

Empire State Pride Agenda is proud to endorse Dan Garodnick's candidacy in the Democratic primary for NYC City Council, District 4.

Mr. Garodnick has a number of opponents. Two of them, Jak Jacob Karako and Jack Lester, returned a questionnaire seeking the Pride Agenda's endorsement. They expressed their support for a number of LGBT issues, including the right of same-sex couples to marry.

NYC Council, District 5 Democratic Primary - Jessica Lappin (Open Seat)

Jessica Lappin is the former Chief of Staff to Speaker Gifford Miller. In her role at the Speaker's office, Ms. Lappin worked diligently behind the scenes with the Pride Agenda to secure funding for LGBT community organizations and to help pass legislation including the Equal Benefits Bill and the Transgender Rights Bill. She expressed her support on our candidate questionnaire, adding, "I am proud to have spent the last seven years working for the City Council to advance civil rights for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender community. … I have consistently stood with LGBT advocates on the issues that are important to the LGBT community and will continue to do so as a member of the City Council."

Empire State Pride Agenda is proud to endorse Jessica Lappin's candidacy in the Democratic primary for NYC City Council, District 5.

Ms. Lappin has a number of opponents. One of them, Dan Quart, returned a questionnaire seeking the Pride Agenda's endorsement. He expressed his support for a number of LGBT issues, including the right of same-sex couples to marry.

NYC Council, District 9 Democratic Primary - Inez Dickens (Open Seat)

Inez Dickens is a Democratic District Leader, First Vice Chair of the New York State Democratic Party, an active member of the Democratic National Committee, and a founding member of Children of Parents with AIDS. Ms. Dickens has said, "I have a demonstrated record of support for LGBT rights and of fighting AIDS… As the First Vice Chair of the New York State Democratic Party, I worked with my colleagues and friends to lobby the members of the Executive Committee and the State Party at large, to pass the Gay Marriage resolution - which calls for the legalization of Gay marriage. The resolution was adopted as the official Party position."

Empire State Pride Agenda is proud to endorse Inez Dickens' candidacy in the Democratic primary for NYC City Council, District 9.

Ms. Dickens has a number of opponents. Two of them, Rodney Carroll and Cynthia Doty, returned a questionnaire seeking the Pride Agenda's endorsement. They expressed their support for a number of LGBT issues, including the right of same-sex couples to marry.

NYC Council, District 11 Democratic Primary - G. Oliver Koppell (Incumbent)

Councilman Koppell has voted correctly on all LGBT issues that have come before him, both as a member of the City Council and as a former Assemblymember. While a member of the City Council he supported the Transgender Rights Bill, the Equal Benefits Bill, and Dignity in All Schools Act. He has said, "I have consistently supported equal rights for the LGBT community over my long career in public service."

Empire State Pride Agenda is proud to endorse Oliver Koppell's candidacy in the Democratic primary for NYC City Council, District 11.

Councilman Koppell is being challenged by Aaron Hoffnung, who did not fill out a questionnaire seeking the Pride Agenda's endorsement, though he has stated his support for our issues.

NYC Council, District 25 Democratic Primary - Helen Sears (Incumbent)

Councilwoman Sears is a two-term City Councilmember who has always voted correctly on our issues. While a member of the City Council she supported the Transgender Rights Bill, the Equal Benefits Bill, and Dignity in All Schools Act. She has expressed support for our community, saying, "In my role as a Budget negotiator, I have made sure that money was allocated to many groups that service the needs of the LGBT Community…. I will continue to fight to ensure that all citizens have equal rights and equal protection under the law."

Empire State Pride Agenda is proud to endorse Helen Sears' candidacy in the Democratic primary for NYC City Council, District 25.

Councilwoman Sears is being challenged by two opponents, one of whom, Bryan Pu-Folkes, returned a questionnaire seeking the Pride Agenda's endorsement. He expressed his support for a number of LGBT issues, including the right of same-sex couples to marry.