Appendix E

The Empire State Pride Agenda is New York's only statewide lesbian and gay political advocacy organization. Dedicated to maximizing the lesbian and gay community's ability to shape the laws and policies that affect our lives as citizens of New York State, ESPA advances the community's agenda by lobbying the state legislature and the Governor in Albany, electing supportive candidates to public office, organizing constituent pressure locally, and educating the public about the rights of lesbians and gay men.

The Empire State Pride Agenda Foundation helps to organize broad based grassroots support for the lesbian and gay community's most critical political and social objectives by identifying, developing and pursuing effective education, organizing, and advocacy strategies for the benefit of lesbians and gay men throughout New York State.

Acknowledgements

The Empire State Pride Agenda Foundation would like to thank Mark Aurigemma for the extensive research, time and interest he devoted to this report. ESPAF also acknowledges the valuable advice and guidance provided by David Hansell and Ruth Finkelstein.

The Foundation would also like to thank Tim Sweeney, Deputy Director of the Empire State Pride Agenda, Sheila Healy, Program Director of ESPAF, and members of the New York State Lesbian and Gay Health and Human Services Network for their contributions to making this report a meaningful, accurate and educational document.

This publication is made possible through a grant from:

New York Community Trust

Additional support is provided by:

Bell Atlantic Foundation

Gill Foundation

Steven Kossak

Paul Rapoport Foundation

Royal S. Marks Foundation

The Michael Palm Foundation

Michael A. Recanati & Ira J. Statfeld

Jeff Soref

Henry van Ameringen

The Terrance K. Watanabe Charitable Trust

Olive F. Watson & Joanne Grover

Richard Winger & Matthew Hobson

Amy Zimmerman & Tanya Wexler