Quinn Pushes for More LGBT Lawmakers

David Freedlander — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 12:15:09 -0400

A reader sent to us the following fundraising solicitation from Council Speaker Christine Quinn on behalf of the Gay and Lesbian Victory Institute , a political action fund dedicated to electing more LGBT public officials.

In the email, Speaker Quinn talks about the fight for same-sex marriage in Albany and has high praise for her fellow LGBT elected officials and Gov. Cuomo.

Openly LGBT lawmakers have worked tirelessly on this issue in Albany, and that made a huge difference when this opportunity came along. For years they wrote legislation, lobbied their colleagues, introduced their partners and families, spoke passionately about their lives and argued that their state should not discriminate against any New Yorker.

As Speaker of the New York City Council, I was proud to travel frequently to Albany to stand next to those LGBT lawmakers and support their brave efforts. I was proud of the coalition we helped build with business, labor and LGBT groups. And I was exceptionally proud of my governor.

It is true of course that openly LGBT lawmakers like Tom Duane and Danny O'Donnell helped lead the fight in Albany for marriage equality, but so did a number of straight elected officials in both chambers. And of course none of this would have occurred had not a few Republicans flipped their votes.



		Dear XXXX Six months later, LGBT New Yorkers are still walking around with smiles on our faces. When the New York state legislature this year voted to allow same-sex couples to marry, it gave thousands of people – including me and my fiance – the legal and financial tools to care for one another. More importantly, that vote finally recognized the love and commitment at the heart of our relationships. There is much left to achieve for LGBT New Yorkers, but I'm overjoyed by this victory. Openly LGBT lawmakers have worked tirelessly on this issue in Albany, and that made a huge difference when this opportunity came along. For years they wrote legislation, lobbied their colleagues, introduced their partners and families, spoke passionately about their lives and argued that their state should not discriminate against any New Yorker. As Speaker of the New York City Council, I was proud to travel frequently to Albany to stand next to those LGBT lawmakers and support their brave efforts. I was proud of the coalition we helped build with business, labor and LGBT groups. And I was exceptionally proud of my governor. This has worked in towns and cities across America. When members of our community gain political power they elevate all of us and add our voices to the public debate. They make LGBT issues real, and they fight hardest to make sure their colleagues understand them. That's why I'm asking you, at the end of this remarkable year, to join me in contributing to the one organization that's preparing LGBT leaders to step into public roles at all levels of government. Give a tax-deductible gift before the end of this year and help the Victory Institute train the men and women who will be fighting for us as elected officials across the country in 2012 and beyond. To me, 2011 will always be that incredible year LGBT New Yorkers took a giant leap towards equality. Let's resolve to make that happen again and again, all across America, in the years to come. Happy New Year. Sincerely, Christine C. Quinn Speaker New York City Council

Politicker » Quinn Pushes for More LGBT Lawmakers

Quinn Pushes for More LGBT Lawmakers