NEW YORK, NEW YORK—The Log Cabin Republicans of New York City Caucus today announced their endorsement of Mayor Mike Bloomberg for reelection in the 2009 mayoral race.

“Log Cabin New York City is proud to stand once again with a man who has proven himself time and again to be the strong leader and ally of equality our city needs,” said Log Cabin’s Caucus Representative Gregory T. Angelo. “The government and residents of New York City face one of the greatest financial crises in the history of the city. We need a Mayor with a proven record of results, a history of accomplishment and an outspoken stance on equality for all New York taxpayers.”

“The LGBT community in New York City has moved the marriage debate in Albany so far so fast, that we now stand closer than ever to passing legislation that would truly make history—and I continue to call on the State Legislature to pass a same sex civil marriage bill before the end of this current session,” said Mayor Bloomberg. “In the meantime, our Administration will continue doing everything possible to ensure that all people are treated equal under the law. I am thankful to have the support of the New York City chapter of the Log Cabin Republicans.”

Log Cabin noted that in a year when marriage equality could well become a reality—but only with Republican votes—Mayor Bloomberg has repeatedly stated his support for ensuring the civil right to marry for all New Yorkers. Log Cabin also praised Mayor Bloomberg for his leadership in implementing a safe schools initiative in the New York public school system that is a model for the country.

Posted: June 22nd, 2009 under Elections.
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Log Cabin Republicans National Spokesperson Charles Moran is quoted in CNN’s piece highlighting the lack of actual benefits in POTUS’s domestic partners ‘benefits’ policy.

http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/06/17/obama.gay.critics/index.html Follow Log Cabin on twitter at http://twitter.com/LogCabinGOP

Posted: June 20th, 2009 under Democrats, In the News.
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ALBANY, NEW YORK—Log Cabin Republicans of New York thanked former Republican Senator Majority Leader Joe Bruno today for his support of marriage equality for all New Yorkers.

The announcement marked an evolution for Bruno, who until recently had supported only civil union but came to realize that marriage equality is the only way to ensure equal treatment under the law.  Bruno recognized, “I previously endorsed civil unions as a pragmatic compromise.  However, civil unions seem reminiscent of segregation.  They relegate same sex couples to second class citizenship.  In essence, we are telling them you can be equal, so long as you are separate.  This does not square with the equal protection of the laws of the 14th Amendment and equality is the veritable birthright of the Republican Party of Abraham Lincoln.”

“We are proud that Senator Bruno is standing with us on the right side of history,” said Jeff Cook, Legislative Advisor for Log Cabin Republicans.  “Support for marriage equality transcends ideology, includes all parties and comes from all faiths.  Notable Republicans, from Senator Bruno to former Vice President Dick Cheney, are recognizing that ‘freedom means freedom for everyone’.  Senate Republicans should do what 58 Republican state legislators have already done – stand up to ensure that all families can live freely and equally with the same full protection of our laws.”

The Senate Republican Conference has previously helped pass several measures to treat New Yorkers equally regardless of sexual orientation, including the Sexual Orientation Non-Discrimination Act (SONDA) and rights for same-sex couples in domestic partnerships.

“Our party is and should be proud of its history on civil rights,” said Cook.  “Senate Republicans have played a critical role in the passage of every bill that has made our state a more inclusive place to live.  Now is the time for our friends in the Senate to make the difference on marriage equality.”

Freedom For All – By Joseph L. Bruno

As a Republican, I believe in personal freedom.  I believe the government ought to fundamentally leave people alone and I believe that people are people, no matter their color or stripe.  When it comes to the right of homosexuals to marry, a right Governor Paterson has recently proposed to extend to them, these beliefs lead me to conclude that their rights are no different than ours.

When I was the Senate Majority Leader of New York State, I opposed same sex marriage largely because the overwhelming majority of my caucus opposed it.  As a relatively conservative Roman Catholic, I instinctually view marriage as the foundation of the family. However, that view really does conflict with the rights that are afforded to all of us.

Our founding fathers gave us individual freedoms and the right to choose how to live our lives. This is America and we have unalienable rights. Let everyone decide how to pursue their own happiness.  I understand that this issue stirs great passion in many people.  I understand that many view it as a moral threat.  However, my instincts tell me that homosexuals who wish to enter into the union of marriage are just like the rest of us and they ought to be free to enter into it.

Recently, former vice president Dick Cheney told the National Press Club that he favors the rights of homosexuals to marry because people should be free to enter into a union of their choosing.  I agree with the vice president that people should be free, after all personal freedom is the cornerstone of all our beliefs and rights.

I previously endorsed civil unions as a pragmatic compromise.  However, civil unions seem reminiscent of segregation.  They relegate same sex couples to second class citizenship. In essence, we are telling them you can be equal, so long as you are separate.  This does not square with the equal protection of the laws of the 14th Amendment and equality is the veritable birthright of the Republican Party of Abraham Lincoln.

The Governor’s bill also contains an important amendment that allows individual religious institutions to opt out of the performance of gay marriages.  We can’t and shouldn’t force churches to marry, but we should allow for same sex marriages. I believe this amendment is a crucial element because the bill does not use the hand of government to force a private religious institution to perform any rite outside of its belief system.  Church and State are separate powers.

Governor Paterson has introduced this contentious issue for consideration. The senate leadership should follow suit and allow this bill to move forward.  Life is short and we should all be afforded the same opportunities and rights to enjoy it.

Joseph L. Bruno served as the Majority Leader of the New York State Senate from 1995 to 2008

Posted: June 18th, 2009 under From the Right, GOP Progress.
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LOG CABIN REPUBLICANS STATEMENT ON
SENATE LEADERSHIP CHANGE

ALBANY, NEW YORK—“It has been no secret that Republican votes are needed to pass the marriage equality bill and that Log Cabin has been leading the fight to win that critical support,” commented Jeff Cook, Legislative Advisor for Log Cabin Republicans.  “Log Cabin will continue to engage our friends in the Senate to secure the votes we need to make marriage equality a reality for all New York families.” 

“The Senate GOP has an inclusive record it can be proud of – passing non-discrimination, hate crimes and several domestic partnership measures.  Majority Leader Dean Skelos continued that tradition this year with his commitment to allow Republicans to vote their conscience on the marriage bill,” Cook continued.  “With our party in the majority, our work has never been more important.  We will not rest until all New Yorkers are treated equally under the law, and our Republican friends in the Senate remain key to making that happen.”

Posted: June 9th, 2009 under In the States.
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Comment from Dr. Reznik:  It is time for the Obama Administration and the U.S. Congress to completely lift the travel ban for persons living with HIV/AIDS visiting the U.S…  Continuation of this ban only feeds into the stigma associated with HIV disease that is driving this pandemic world-wide.  Policies put in place in the early days of the epidemic based on lack of scientific knowledge and prejudice against those living with this disease should be erased from U.S. law. The willingness of several national advocacy groups to be complacent in light of inadequate federal funding for HIV prevention, treatment and care in light of state fiscal difficulties must end. The U.S. AIDS advocacy community must wake up and continue the fight for the rights of people living with HIV/AIDS and end the approach of waiting for ‘crumbs’ as they seek a voice at the table in the heatlhcare reform debate.” 

Implementation of a 2008 US policy ostensibly meant to ease international travel for persons with HIV has instead made the process more difficult, say Canadian HIV activists who had hoped to attend this week’s Housing and HIV/AIDS Research Summit in Washington.

Until last summer, the United States maintained an outright ban on visitors or immigrants with HIV. It was among a dozen countries – including Russia, Saudi Arabia, and Sudan – to do so. However, the United States would also issue “blanket waivers” that allowed persons with HIV to attend conferences.

In anticipation of the AIDS 2008 Conference in Mexico City, President George W. Bush removed the ban. But in September of that year, the Department of Homeland Security filled that regulatory void and began requiring HIV-positive travelers to secure a 30-day visa for entry into the United States.

Officials at Bruce House, an Ottawa residential care facility for persons with HIV, said the revised process amounts to a travel ban. “It’s a costly process, it’s an embarrassing process, and it’s a discriminatory process. That’s not what HIV activists were thinking was going to be the result of lifting the ban,” said Bruce House Executive Director Jay Koonstra.

Koonstra said many people did not even try to get into the United States under the new visa process. An HIV-positive traveler destined for the United States would have to meet with an official at the consulate, disclose medical details and pay about $130.

“It’s tantamount to branding yourself because you are forever on the American list of being HIV-positive, and you know what Americans do with lists,” Koonstra said.

David Hopper, the US counsel general in Canada, said Canadian activists rejected an attempt by his office to facilitate their entry into the country.

David A. Reznik, D.D.S.
Director, Oral Health Center, Infectious Disease Program
Chief, Dental Service
Grady Health System
341 Ponce de Leon Avenue
Atlanta, Georgia 30308
voice: 404-616-9770

Posted: June 7th, 2009 under In the News.
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Posted: June 4th, 2009 under GOP Heroes, In the States.
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Posted: June 2nd, 2009 under In the States.
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Speaking at the National Press Club, Cheney seemed to suggest he is not as opposed to same-sex marriage as other Republicans. Cheney’s daughter is gay, and the former vice president said the issue should be left up to the states instead of the federal government.

“I think freedom means freedom for everyone,” he said. “People ought to be free to enter into any kind of union they wish, any kind of arrangement they wish.

“The question of whether or not there ought to be a general statute that governs this, I don’t support. I do believe, historically, the way marriage has been regulated is at a state level. It’s always been a state issue, and I think that’s the way it ought to be handled today,” he said.

Posted: June 1st, 2009 under From the Right, GOP Progress.
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