Empire State Pride Agenda

Winning Equality and Justice for
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender
New Yorkers and Our Families

Empire State Pride Agenda

     
Archived Press Releases
2005
October 21, 2005Empire State Pride Agenda Announces General Election Endorsements Across New York State
October 06, 2005Mayor Wins Agreement from Insurance Companies to Provide Domestic Partner Health Coverage to Small Businesses in NYC
October 03, 2005Phoenix, NY Woman's Struggle to Care for Dying Partner to Be Highlighted at State's Largest Gay Rights Fundraiser on October 6 in NYC
September 15, 2005Teamsters at JFK Provide Spousal Benefits to Long Island Member Who Married Same-Sex Partner
August 19, 2005Empire State Pride Agenda Calls Weld’s New Position On Marriage a Disappointing Reversal
August 17, 2005Empire State Pride Agenda Announces Primary Endorsements Across NY State
June 29, 2005New York Legislature Extends Control of Remains Authority to Include Same-Sex Partners
June 29, 2005Empire State Pride Agenda Applauds Canada for Marriage Decision
June 26, 2005Empire State Pride Agenda Endorses Gifford Miller in Democratic Primary for Mayor of NYC
June 22, 2005CUNY to Respect Marriages of Same-Sex Employees for Employee Benefits
May 20, 2005Religion is Anti-Gay?
May 02, 2005"LGBT Equality & Justice Day" Set for May 24 in Albany Registration in Process; More Than 50 LGBT Groups across NY State Supporting Effort
April 07, 2005New York City Recognizes Marriages of Same-Sex Couples
April 06, 2005New Poll Shows Statewide Support for Same-Sex Marriage Increasing
March 15, 2005Statement by Alan Van Capelle, Empire State Pride Agenda Executive Director, Regarding the New York State Appellate Court's Rejection of the Equal Benefits Law (Local Law 27)
February 14, 2005Clergy across New York Voice Support for Right to Marry by Same-Sex Couples
February 05, 2005Empire State Pride Agenda Responds to Mayor Bloomberg's Decision to Appeal the Marriage Ruling to the Court of Appeals
January 05, 2005Eastchester Town Board Repeals DP Health Benefits
2004
December 06, 2004Empire State Pride Agenda's Pride in the Pulpit Program Asks Networks to Apologize for Refusing UCC Ad
November 18, 2004Mayor Bloomberg Calls for City Pension Funds to Treat Marriages of Same-Sex Couples Like All Other Marriages
November 15, 2004Judge Rules Mayor Bloomberg Must Enforce Equal Benefits Bill
November 03, 2004Rochester School Board Approves Domestic Partner Benefits for Employees
October 21, 2004Empire State Pride Agenda Announces General Election Endorsements
October 13, 2004New York State Retirement System to Treat Canadian Marriages of Same-Sex Couples Like All Other Marriages
October 01, 2004Governor Signs Law to Further Protect Patient Rights
September 14, 2004Pride Agenda to Send Busload of New Yorkers to Cincinnati, Ohio for Oct. 1-3 Weekend of Voter Registration Work
August 20, 2004Pride Agenda Announces Endorsements & Releases Voter Guide for September 14 Primary
August 12, 2004NYS Legislature Opens Hospital Doors to Same-Sex Couples
August 09, 2004NYS Assembly Releases $1.28 Million for LGBT Health and Human Services Network
July 28, 2004Suffolk County to Offer Domestic Partner Health Benefits to County Employees
July 21, 2004Pride Agenda Releases Survey Results of NY House Delegation on So-Called "Marriage Protection Act" (H.R. 3313)
July 14, 2004Federal Marriage Amendment Dies in U.S. Senate After Loss on Procedural Vote
June 28, 2004NYC Council Overrides Mayor's Veto; Equal Benefits Bill Becomes Law
June 04, 2004Mayor Bloomberg Vetoes Equal Benefits Bill
June 03, 2004NYS Assembly Votes 141 - 1 to Provide Hospital Visitation Rights to Domestic Partners
May 14, 2004NY Attorney General Spitzer Sends March 2004 Opinion on Same-Sex Marriage to MA Governor Romney
May 05, 2004NYC Council Overwhelmingly Approves Equal Benefits Bill
April 19, 2004Pride Agenda Releases Results of New York Statewide Poll on Marriage for Same-Sex Couples
April 08, 2004Albany Common Council Bans Transgender Discrimination
March 10, 2004Assembly Votes To Protect Students From Bias-based Bullying, Discrimination and Violence
March 05, 200469% of NY's Democratic Primary Voters Back Increased Government Recognition & Support for Same-Sex Couples
March 05, 2004Buffalo and Brighton Recognize Marriages of Same-Sex Couples
March 03, 2004Empire State Pride Agenda Statement Regarding Attorney General Spitzer's Opinion on Marriage for Same-Sex Couples
March 02, 2004Town Hall Meetings on Marriage to Take Place Across NY State
March 01, 2004Pride Agenda Releases Survey Results on NY Congressional Delegation's Stand on Constitutional Amendment
March 01, 2004City of Ithaca Recognizes Marriages of Same-Sex Couples
February 27, 2004New York Village of Nyack Recognizes Marriages of Same-Sex Couples from Other Jurisdictions
February 24, 2004Statement By Empire State Pride Agenda Executive Director Alan Van Capelle In Response To President Bush's Support For A Constitutional Amendment Banning Civil Marriage for Same-Sex Couples
February 18, 2004Rockland County Legislature Approves Domestic Partner Benefits for County EmployeesNew York to Recognize Same-Sex Couples in Unemployment Insurance
February 11, 2004New York to Recognize Same-Sex Couples in Unemployment Insurance
January 21, 2004Empire State Pride Agenda Denounces President's State of the Union Remarks
January 20, 2004Funding For LGBT Health and Human Services Programs Continues at Reduced Level in Governor's '04-'05 Executive Budget
January 08, 2004Domestic Partner Bill Goes to Governor McGreevey for Signature
January 07, 2004No Surprises For New York's Gay Community In 2004 State Of The State Address
January 06, 2004Empire State Pride Agenda Mourns Death of Suffolk County Legislator Maxine Postal
2003
December 22, 2003Rochester School Board Approves Protections for Transgender Students
December 19, 2003H&M No Bargain for Employees
November 18, 2003Massachusetts High Court Rules 4-3 In Favor Of Civil Marriage for Same-Sex Couples
November 14, 2003Council Hearing On Equal Benefits Bill Shows Broad Support For Passage
October 25, 2003New Jersey Supreme Court Rules Same-Sex Couples Must have Access to the Rights and Benefits of Marriage
October 24, 2003Empire State Pride Agenda Endorses Candidates For Local Offices Across New York State
October 22, 2003Empire State Pride Agenda Denounces Protest Planned by Rev. Fred Phelps at Mepham High School
October 07, 2003NYC Council Considers Legislation to Combat Bias and Violence in City Schools
September 24, 2003Governor Pataki Signs Campus Bias Bill Into Law
September 22, 2003New York Democratic State Committee Supports Same-Sex Couples Right to Civil Marriage
September 15, 2003Carmen Vazquez Named Pride Agenda Deputy Executive Director
August 20, 2003Nation's Largest Statewide Lesbian and Gay Political Organization Announces NYC Council Primary Endorsements
August 08, 2003Empire State Pride Agenda Mourns Death of Nassau County Activist Bill Borman
August 07, 2003Empire State Pride Agenda Begins Compiling Data On Same-Sex Married Couples in New York State
July 29, 2003New York's Statewide Gay Rights Group Urges Lawmakers to Finish Work on Safe Schools Legislation
July 22, 2003NY State Issues First Hate Crimes Report
July 02, 20032003 NY State Legislative/Government Update
June 26, 2003Statement By Empire State Pride Agenda Executive Director Alan Van Capelle On The U.S. Supreme Court's 6 - 3 Decision On Lawrence and Garner v. Texas
June 25, 2003Differences Between Assembly and Senate Over Gender Expression Issue Kills Agreement On Safe Schools Legislation
June 20, 2003New York to Open Credit Unions to Domestic Partners of Members
June 19, 2003New York to Require Colleges & Universities to Address Bias Crime on Campus
June 19, 2003New York to Strike Terms "Sodomy" and "Deviate Sexual Intercourse" from State Law
June 18, 2003Pride Agenda Applauds Same-Sex Marriage Ruling in Ontario, Canada
June 12, 2003Senate Votes 54 - 4 to Protect Students from Bias-based Bullying, Discrimination and Violence
June 10, 2003Assembly Votes 136 - 8 to Protect Students from Bias-based Bullying, Discrimination and Violence
June 02, 2003New York's Gay/Lesbian Civil Rights Group Thanks Governor Pataki For Intervening On Behalf Of Same-Sex Partner In Unemployment Benefits Case
May 23, 2003U.S. Senator Rick Santorum Becomes Major Donor To Leading Gay Rights Organization
May 07, 2003Leading LGBT Organizations in NYC Praise Legislature for Restoring Budget Cuts
April 24, 2003Gay Families Winning Legal Protections Incrementally In NY State
April 13, 2003Lawmakers Introduce Bill Banning Transgender Discrimination Across New York State
April 11, 2003Lobby Day On LGBT Family Issues Set For April 28, 2003
April 02, 2003Alan Van Capelle Named Executive Director Of Empire State Pride Agenda
March 19, 2003Assembly Education Committee Approves Dignity For All Students Act by 26-2 Vote
March 19, 2003Pride Agenda Begins Work With State Lawmakers to Extend Government Safety Net To Cover Same-sex Relationships Post 9/11
February 25, 2003Empire State Pride Agenda Schedules Meetings Across State With LGBT Communities To Hear Priorities and Discuss Next Steps In Our Civil Rights Movement
January 29, 2003Pataki Puts $1.0 Million in '03-'04 Executive Budget for Gay/Lesbian Health and Human Services Programs
January 16, 2003ANTI-GAY DISCRIMINATION BECOMES ILLEGAL IN NEW YORK TODAY
January 08, 2003New York's Gay/Lesbian Civil Rights Organization Applauds Governor's Call For Extending Domestic Violence Protections to Gay Families
January 06, 2003New York's Statewide Gay Rights Organization Welcomes Republican Decision To Hold 2004 Convention in New York City
2002
December 17, 2002NEW YORK OUTLAWS ANTI-GAY DISCRIMINATION
December 16, 2002On the Eve of Historic Gay Rights Vote in New York - Statement by Matt Foreman, Executive Director Empire State Pride Agenda
December 04, 2002Pride Agenda Praises NYC Comptroller and NYC Pension Funds for Role in Cracker Barrel Decision to Prohibit Discrimination Based Upon Sexual Orientation
December 03, 2002Campaign To Kill Anti-Gay Discrimination Bill Becomes Increasingly Vicious As Senate Vote Approaches
November 26, 2002State Education Dept. Reverses Position: Will Survey Students on Bias Harassment in Schools After All
November 07, 2002Election Day Yields Few Surprises As Incumbents Prevail Across New York
November 01, 2002GAY GROUPS URGENTLY CALL ON NETWORKS TO REINSERT A QUESTION ABOUT THE GAY VOTE IN VOTER NEWS SERVICE EXIT POLLING
October 26, 2002Empire State Pride Agenda Endorses Governor George E. Pataki for Reelection
October 23, 2002New York's Leading Lesbian and Gay Civil Rights Organization Announces Endorsements for Senate & Assembly Races
October 18, 2002Conservative Party Chair Michael Long Makes Public Concession on Gay Rights Bill
October 17, 2002NY State Crime Victims Board Extends Equal Benefits to Surviving Domestic Partners of Homicide Victims
October 02, 2002State Education Department Refuses to Survey Students on Bias Harassment in Schools
October 01, 2002State Education Department Refuses to Survey Students on Bias Harassment in Schools
September 25, 2002Westchester County Approves Domestic Partner Registry
September 23, 2002Bill Introduced in NYC Council Requiring Equal Benefits for Domestic Partners
September 17, 2002Golisano Supports Civil Unions
September 11, 2002Openly Gay Danny O'Donnell Wins NY Assembly Seat
August 28, 2002Pride Agenda Criticizes Selection of Ruben Diaz, Sr. as Bronx Democratic Party's Candidate in Senate Primary Race
August 24, 2002Red Cross Makes Guidelines for Disaster Assistance to Gay Partners of 9/11 Victims Permanent Across All Chapters
August 23, 2002State Fair Opens Arms to Gays Second Year in a Row
August 21, 2002New NY State Law Giving Spousal Benefits To Gay Partners of 9/11 Victims Is A 'Significant Step Forward,' But Gay Families Still Unprotected in Tragedies
August 15, 2002New York City Council Votes 34-7-4 to Recognize Same-Sex Marriages From Other Jurisdictions
July 17, 2002State's Largest Lesbian and Gay Political Organization Endorses Alan Hevesi in Primary Race for Comptroller
June 28, 20022002 State Legislative Wrap-up
June 26, 2002State Legislature Approves Workers Compensation Benefits for 9/11 Same-Sex Survivors
May 16, 2002Record $3.6 Million in '02-'03 Budget Agreement for LGBT Health and Human Services Network
May 07, 2002NY Assembly and Senate Unanimously Pass 9/11 Victims Bill
May 06, 2002September 11 Gay & Lesbian Family Fund Raises $379,000 for Surviving Gay/Lesbian Partners
May 01, 2002New York State's Leadership Introduces Joint Bill That Takes Additional Steps Supporting Family Members of 9/11 Victims
April 30, 2002Mayor Bloomberg Signs Transgender Bill into Law New York City Becomes Largest Jurisdiction in Country to Provide Rights
April 24, 2002New York City Council Votes 45-5-1 to Extend Protections to Transgender People
April 24, 2002Following City Council Vote Mayor Bloomberg Renews Promise to Pride Agenda to Sign Transgender Bill
April 22, 2002Statement from Empire State Pride Agenda on Msgr. Eugene Clark's Attack on Gays from St. Patrick's Cathedral
April 17, 2002Comedian Bob Smith to Keynote Annual Brunch of State's Largest Lesbian & Gay Organization
April 10, 2002Senate Committee Votes 17-2 to Open Family Court to Same-Sex Partners
April 08, 2002Assembly Votes 144-2 to Protect Students from Bullying, Discrimination and Violence
April 04, 2002DCJS Modifies Incident Report Form to Better Comply with Law
April 02, 2002Dignity for All Students Week, April 7 - 13
March 27, 2002Assembly Provides $1.5 Million in 2001 Supplemental Budget Funds for LGBT Health and Human Services Network
March 19, 2002LGBT Community & Others to Converge on Albany to Urge Legislators to Remedy Harassment Epidemic in Schools
February 27, 2002LGBT Advocates to Meet with State Policymakers to Discuss Funding for Health & Human Services Programs
February 05, 2002Five Bills Important to LGBT Community Overwhelmingly Approved by Assembly Committees
January 28, 2002New York Assembly Votes By Record Margin to Ban Anti-Gay Discrimination
January 22, 2002Pataki Puts Record $2.5 Million in Executive Budget for LGBT Health and Human Services Network
January 17, 2002September 11 Gay & Lesbian Family Fund Raises $190,000; Distributions to Surviving Partners Ongoing Application Deadline Extended to February 14
January 16, 2002State's Largest Lesbian and Gay Political Organization Announces Endorsements for February 12 Special Elections
January 09, 2002Governor Pataki Calls for Passage of SONDA During State of the State and Receives Standing Ovation
2001
December 20, 2001Federal Victim Compensation Fund to Accept Claims from Gay/Lesbian Surviving Partners
December 18, 2001Pataki, Giuliani & Spitzer ask President to Extend Eligibility of Sept. 11 Federal Fund to Gay/Lesbian Survivors
December 07, 2001Albany County Approves Domestic Partner Benefits for Lesbian/Gay Employees
December 05, 2001New York Democratic State Committee Calls for Equality for Gay and Lesbian Relationships
December 04, 2001Red Cross Issues Guidelines on Relief Assistance to Gay/Lesbian Survivors of September 11
November 14, 2001Falwell Blames Gays for Attack on America
November 09, 2001Joseph S. Grabarz, Jr. Named Pride Agenda Executive Director
November 07, 2001Large Number of Openly Gay and Gay Supportive Candidates Win Races in New York City and Across State
October 19, 2001State's Largest Lesbian and Gay Political Organization Endorses Mark Green for Mayor of New York City
October 16, 2001GOVERNOR PATAKI SPEAKS OUT IN SUPPORT OF SONDA
October 12, 2001Gay Rights Organization Praises Governor Pataki for Order Granting Equal Benefits to Gay Partners of those Killed in WTC Attacks
September 24, 2001Suffolk County Strengthens Anti-Gay Discrimination Law
August 21, 2001State's Largest Lesbian and Gay Political Organization Announces New York City Primary Endorsements
August 20, 2001Statewide Lesbian/Gay Civil Rights Organization to Conduct Outreach Effort at New York State Fair
June 14, 2001Law Firm Report Calls Local Laws on Anti-Gay Discrimination A "Piecemeal Regime" and "Inadequate Alternative" to State Law
June 12, 2001Billboard in Albany Presses for Passage of SONDA
May 20, 2001Report Released on Anti-Gay Discrimination in New York
May 09, 2001Lesbians and Gays to Converge on Albany to Lobby for Rights
March 20, 2001Assembly Education Committee Addresses Hate-Based Bullying In Schools
March 12, 2001Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual And Transgender Advocates To Seek Increased State Funding For Health And Social Programs
February 12, 2001Assembly Votes By Record Margin to Ban Anti-Gay Discrimination
January 29, 2001State's Largest Lesbian/Gay Political Organization Praises Clinton for Declaring Opposition to Ashcroft Nomination
January 19, 2001Statewide Gay Rights Group Applauds Senate Majority Leader Bruno's Extension of Domestic Partnership Benefits for Senate Employees
January 11, 2001State's Largest Lesbian/Gay Political Organization Asks Schumer and Clinton to Grill Ashcroft on Gay Issues
January 05, 20012001 Report Hails Successful Partnership Between State and Lesbian/Gay Health and Social Service Programs
January 03, 2001State's Gay Lobby Welcomes Tone of and Key Points in Governor Pataki's State of the State Address
2000
December 11, 2000Nassau County Legislature Votes Unanimously To Outlaw Anti-Gay Discrimination
November 08, 2000GOP State Senate Majority Strategy of Moderating Its Position on on Pro-Gay and Progressive Issues Pays Off at Polls
November 07, 2000Overwhelming Gay Support for Hillary Clinton and Al Gore
October 25, 2000State's Largest Gay and Lesbian Political Organization Announces New York Senate and Assembly Endorsements
October 23, 2000Record number of State Grants Awarded to Lesbian and Gay Health and Human Services Organizations
October 19, 2000Sexual Assault Reform Act Signed Into Law
September 11, 2000Hillary Rodham Clinton to Keynote State’s Largest Annual Lesbian and Gay Political Event
July 27, 2000Empire State Pride Agenda, State's Largest Lesbian and Gay Political Organization, Endorses Hillary Clinton for U.S. Senate
July 10, 2000HATE CRIMES BILL SIGNED INTO LAW
June 23, 2000NEW YORK STATE LEGISLATURE PASSES HATE CRIMES BIL
June 23, 2000SEXUAL ASSAULT REFORM LAW TO REPEAL CONSENSUAL SODOMY STATUTE
June 13, 2000Assembly Overwhelmingly Votes to Ban Anti-Gay Discrimination by Record Margin
June 08, 2000ITHACA ADOPTS STATE'S FIRST LAW TO INCLUDE PROTECTIONS FOR TRANSGENDER PERSONS
June 07, 2000NEW YORK STATE SENATE PASSES HATE CRIMES BILL
June 05, 2000New Transgender Anti-Discrimination Legislation Introduced by 22 New York City Council Members
May 24, 2000Assembly Education Committee Moves Historic Bill to Protect New York's Students from Discrimination and Harassment
May 03, 2000Pro-Gay Candidate Elected to Nassau County Legislature
April 20, 2000Sexual Orientation Non-Discrimination Act Sees Movement in New York State Senate Committee
April 06, 2000National Report on Anti-Gay Violence Underscores Need for Hate Crimes Legislation
April 03, 2000Pressure Forces Senate Majority Leader to Pledge Action on Hate Crimes Legislation
March 02, 2000Vice President Gore to Speak at Gay/Lesbian Rally on Election Eve
February 15, 2000Pride Agenda Endorses Vice President Gore in March 7 Primary
February 08, 2000$2 Million Appropriated to 27 Groups Statewide for Lesbian and Gay Health and Human Services
January 27, 2000Gay/Lesbian Lobby Hails Buffalo Board of Education Vote on Non-Discrimination and Safe Schools Policies
January 10, 2000Report Reveals New York State Health and Social Service Institutions Fail Lesbian and Gay People
January 04, 2000Hate Crimes Bill Coalition Releases First-Ever Legislative Report Card
1999
December 20, 1999Following Vermont Marriage Victory, Pride Agenda Calls on New York State Senate To Stop Blocking Debate on Lesbian and Gay Equality
December 13, 1999Broad Anti-Discrimination Law Passes in Westchester
December 03, 1999Gay/Lesbian Lobby Welcomes Catholic Conference Statement on Hate Crimes Legislation as 'Positive Step'
November 22, 1999Graphic Ad Campaign Blasts State Republicans for Inaction on Hate Crimes Legislation
November 03, 1999Four Openly Gay Candidates Win Races Across New York
October 07, 1999Speeches By Clinton and Schumer to Gay Rights Group Show Growing Power of Lesbian/Gay Vote in New York
April 14, 1999Pride Agenda Condemns Lack of Action on Hate Crimes
March 24, 1999Assembly Votes to Ban Anti-Gay Discrimination By Record Margin
February 02, 1999State's Largest Lesbian/Gay Political Organization Endorses Christine Quinn for Manhattan City Council Seat
1998
December 03, 199811 Groups Receive Grants in Historic State Initiative for Lesbian and Gay Health and Human Services
October 10, 1998State's Largest Lesbian/Gay Political Organization Endorses Chuck Schumer
July 08, 1998New York City Takes Historic Step on Domestic Partnership
June 01, 1998Policy Position on HIV Surveillance
May 11, 1998Pride Agenda Hails NYC Domestic Partners Bill
March 01, 1998Empire State Pride Agenda Lobby Day 1998 - March 31!
January 04, 1998Pride Agenda Announces 1998 Public Policy Agenda
1996
December 03, 1996NY Statewide Lesbian and Gay Group Applauds Decision on Hawaii Marriage Trial
November 07, 1996Pride Agenda Election Victories Signal Momentum for Gay Civil Rights Bill
October 12, 1996Pride Agenda Testifies Before City Council in Support of Permanent HIV Services
September 21, 1996Statement by Dick Dadey on President Clinton's Announcement on Gay Marriages
September 10, 1996Pride Agenda Condemns Votes on Anti-Gay Marriage Bill and Non-Discrimination Bill
August 21, 1996Pride Agenda Announces the Appointment of Tim Sweeney as Program Director
July 15, 1996Pride Agenda Condemns Passage of Defense of Marriage Act in Congress
May 22, 1996Statement by Dick Dadey on President Clinton's Announcement on Gay Marriages
May 20, 1996Victory for Lesbian and Gay Community!
April 29, 1996Gay Organization Publishes School Board Voter Guide
April 11, 1996Gay Rights Lobby Welcomes Pataki Reissue of Order Banning Discrimination
March 04, 1996Community Rallies Against Republican Candidates
February 02, 1996Pride Agenda Names Field Manager For Rochester Office
February 01, 1996Pride Agenda Names Communications Director
January 22, 1996Pride Agenda Sets Legislative Priorities
   

© Empire State Pride Agenda
16 West 22nd Street, New York, NY 10010

This is the website of the Empire State Pride Agenda, Inc. and the Empire State Pride Agenda Foundation, Inc.
Click here
to learn more about the distinction between these two organizations.