We've moved! Please visit us at our new home on the web:

www.sdwny.org. 

Thank you!

Stonewall Democrats of Western New York is proud, and thrilled, to support a true progressive and independently minded candidate in Sean Cooney for the office of NYS Senate District 58. Sean Cooney has been a champion of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender rights for years, and as state senator, we know that he will be our voice in Albany, and will always vigorously defend equality and justice. We are incredibly fortunate to have such a great candidate in him to restore equality to the office of the NYS 58^th Senate District, which is currently so lacking.

SDWNY looks forward to the coming year and campaign, as we will work with our candidate Sean Cooney to replace the current incumbent and anti-LGBT senator, William Stachowski. Sean Cooney, endorsed unanimously at our February meeting, has an absolutely perfect record on and grasp of LGBT issues and civil rights. When elected to the New York State Senate, Sean Cooney will be one of our fiercest advocates on the issues important to the LGBT community—such as the Gender Non-Discrimination Act, the Dignity for All Students Act and the Marriage Equality bill—where he will continue the staunch, equality-minded advocacy he has worked on for years with the LGBT community in Western New York. We congratulate Sean Cooney on receiving our endorsement, and look forward to the work to be done in the year ahead which will result in his election as NYS Senator from the 58^th District.   

View Sean Cooney’s SDWNY Candidate Questionnaire here.

 For your review over the weekend, the following are the candidate questionnaires we have received back from candidates, have asked they be returned by yesterday (Friday, February 12, 2010.)

Sean Cooney

Michael Kuzma

Timothy Kennedy  

William Stachowski (Questionnaire not yet recieved) 

*The links are to files hosted on the website Scribd. You may view the document directly at that link, Download or Print the file, by clicking on the corresponding buttons at the top of the page. Files may be downloaded as a PDF of TXT file. 

Questionnaires will also be provided at the meeting on this Tuesday, February 16. Which will again be at 7PM, El Museo Gallery, Buffalo. We hope to see you there!

Meeting Notice

As was decided at our January meeting, our next regular meeting was moved up a week, due to Marriage Equality New York’s lobbying day in Albany falling on the fourth Tuesday of the month.

Next Meeting:

Tuesday, February 16, 2010

At El Museo Gallery

91 Allen Street

Buffalo, NY

At 7PM

At our meeting next Tuesday, February 16, 2010, we will consider endorsement for the 58^th New York State Senate District. We decided at our last meeting to do this due to the strong feeling regarding the incumbent Sen. William Stachowski’s vote on Marriage Equality late last year. Endorsement questionnaires have been sent to the candidates running—attorneys Sean Cooney and Michael Kuzma, and Erie County Legislator Tim Kennedy—as well as Sen. Stachowski.

This meeting is an important opportunity to make your voice heard in the upcoming elections for the New York state legislature, the governing body which will control our main issues of the Gender Expression Non-Discrimination Act (GENDA), the Dignity for All Students Act (DASA) and Marriage Equality. This is your opportunity to listen to the candidates running in the race, and ask them questions regarding our issues facing our community as LGBT citizens and supporters, and other issue that is important to you.

We hope to see you there!

Stonewall Democrats of Western New York held our yearly elections for officers this Tuesday, January 26, 2010. The officers for the coming year, elected unanimously, are as follows:

Bryan Ball, President

Kitty Lambert, Vice President for Community Outreach

Bruce Kogan, Vice President for Party Affairs

Thomas Peglowski, Secretary

Ron Groth, Treasurer

We are looking forward to a productive year working on the many challenges ahead faced by our community!

At 7:30PM

*PLEASE NOTE THE HALF HOUR DELAY AND TIME CHANGE*

El Museo

91 Allen Street

Buffalo, NY 14202

Business will include election of officers and discussion of goals for the coming year.

 Stonewall Democrats of Western New York recently sent a letter of concern to Darius Pridgen, a candidate for the vacant Ellicott District council seat in the City of Buffalo, and now the candidate recommended by the Erie County Democratic Committee (determined by a vote of committee members.)  Our letter expressed the concerns of many in our community, asking the candidate about his positions on the issues important to us, and to explain how he would legislate from a position of true fairness and equality, and not let any religious views he may have negatively effect his legislating, in light of the fact that he is a religious pastor who has made comments in the past many in our community find troubling. Copies of the letter were also sent to each council member, as well as The Buffalo News.

 Mr. Pridgen has yet to respond. The letter follows in its entirety below:

 Stonewall Democrats of Western New York

PO Box 857 

Buffalo, NY 14205

 January 4, 2010

Darius Pridgen

Subject: Your Candidacy for Ellicott District Councilmember

Dear Mr. Pridgen: 

We are a group of concerned citizens from the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community. Our mission is to promote, advocate and fight for equality within all levels of government for the LGBT community. As you know, the Ellicott District is home to a large segment of our community. To our knowledge, your campaign for the Ellicott District Councilmember appointment has not addressed the important issues which are specific to the LGBT community in Ellicott and across the City of Buffalo. We write you today to find out your stances on LGBT issues, as well as address past comments you have made in the media which are offensive and troubling to the LGBT community. We respectfully ask that you respond by the end of this week, on Friday, January 8, 2010.

Our questions, which will accurately gauge the ability of the next Ellicott Councilmember to competently serve all the citizens within his or her district, are the following:

1.) Being that the institution of marriage is still segregated by the state of New York based on sexual orientation, will you support and promote a domestic partner registry to benefit LGBT couples in gaining recognition and protection for their families and relationships in the City of Buffalo?

2.) Would you support and promote a resolution establishing a committee of LGBT citizens which will regularly meet with a committee of law enforcement officers, including the Police Commissioner, to discuss and cooperatively seek resolution to issues and problems facing the LGBT community, including but not limited to discrimination, harassment, hate crime and sensitivity training for police officers?

And lastly, how will you, as the Councilmember representing the Ellicott District, be a just representative of all the citizens in the district you seek to represent, especially the LGBT community? Apart from the issues mentioned in this letter, what issues are important to our community, and how will you serve us as our democratically appointed and elected representative? There are deep concerns within our community that your position as a religious leader conflicts with being able to accurately represent all the citizens within our district.  Ellicott, as it now stands, is an incredibly diverse district, and should have that diversity   represented, celebrated and respected in the office of the Common Council.

Therefore, we are concerned with remarks you have made which are offensive to the LGBT community. The remarks, quoted from an Ethics Newsweekly Viewer's Guide (2003) magazine article, condemn homosexual persons. These remarks, made during a discussion of the disease HIV/AIDS, are as follows:

  “But despite the fact that Pridgen is taking on the AIDS issue directly, he separates support for AIDS patients and the need for prevention from accepting what he cannot condone. He condemns homosexuality and non-marital sex in unambiguous terms. ‘You have to call sin sin, but HIV/AIDS is not the sin, it's the disease,’ he says. ‘Until you separate the sin from the disease, people are not going to get tested.’”

With all due respect, these beliefs, that homosexual persons are living an immoral life, may be in line with the teachings and preaching of some organized religions, such as the organization for which you are a pastor. The right for anyone to hold and express these—or any other— beliefs should never be infringed upon or not respected in this country. In America, we have freedom of religious expression, freedom of speech and a just separation of the church and the state. However, it is nevertheless a problematic situation when a person holds these beliefs, which infringe and cast judgment upon the lives of other citizens, and enters the world of government and public office. The office of a District Councilmember should represent, respect and celebrate the views and lives of all persons and communities within a district; whether that be a family who believes in the preaching of your church or a gay family making a life within the district. These remarks are ones which any citizen of this country would be entitled to making and holding, regardless of who they may or may not offend or unjustly condemn. But were these remarks to be those of a public servant, the offense would be entirely unjustified as these words, coming from an appointed or elected representative, cast judgment and condemn, from a religious standpoint, members of the community which the representative serves. No citizen of the City of Buffalo, or anywhere else, deserves that disrespect from her or his democratically representative government leadership. How do you reconcile remarks such as these with your campaign to become the next Ellicott Councilmember? As Councilmember, how would you work to separate any religious beliefs you may have which would infringe upon the equality and rights of others from your legislative position in government?  

In conclusion, we greatly appreciate your response to our questions and concerns. As a group of LGBT people, many living in the Ellicott District, these issues are of the utmost importance to our citizens and families. These concerns of religion subjectively influencing government and public policy are especially troubling given the recent political climate, which continues to segregate certain civil rights and protections based on sexual orientation. We thank you for your time, and look forward to your response.

Sincerely,

 Bryan Ball

 STONEWALL DEMOCRATS OF WESTERN NEW YORK

CC:

Councilmember Richard Fontana

Councilmember David Franczyk

Councilmember Joseph Golombek, Jr.

Councilmember Michael Kearns

Councilmember Michael J. LoCurto

Councilmember David Rivera

Councilmember Bonnie E. Russell

Councilmember Demone A. Smith

Brian Meyer

 The article of concern, in its entirety.

Stonewall Democrats of WNY commends Governor Paterson for signing an executive order today that includes transgender people in state agencies’ antidiscrimination policies. The order will prohibit New York State agencies from discriminating against individual on the basis of gender identity and expression, in “any matter pertaining to employment by the State.” Only thirteen states and over ninety municipalities and counties prohibit discrimination on the basis of gender. Read more about the executive order on Governor Paterson’s campaign website here.

Stonewall Democrats of WNY Holiday Party

Our holiday party will not be taking place tomorrow, December 17, 2009, as was decided at our last meeting. We do apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused.

Our holiday party this year will be:

Tuesday, December 29^th

At Sugar City

19 Wadsworth Street

Buffalo, NY 14201

Time: To be announced very shortly, as soon as it is set for certain.

As a reminder, we do not have a regular meeting for the month of December. Our next meeting will be in January, on Tuesday the 26^th, at 7PM at El Museo (91 Allen Street, Buffalo.)

Rally at Bidwell Today (12/5)

Outspoken for Equality (www.OUTspokenForEquality.org) is organizing a rally today in response to the New York State Senate’s failure to pass Marriage Equality this week. From Outspoken for Equality:

“Send this to everyone you know through every means possible!

Rally in Bidwell Park (Elmwood ave and Bidwell Parkway)

3 Pm Saturday

December 5th

Rain, shine or snow!

Bring Signs banners and attitude

Western New York isn't scared of weather, but the Senate should be scared of Western New York.

Bring your mom, dad, grandkids, everyone you love and even those you dont like or know very well.

Call if you have questions. (716-578-3782)”

 Today, the Marriage Equality bill, S.66003, failed in the New York State Senate, by a vote of 24 to 38. No Republican supported the bill, and eight Democrats voted against equality and justice for their constituents.

Senator Antoine Thompson was the only member of the Western New York delegation to support the effort and vote in favor.

The other Democrat in our WNY delegation, William Stachowski, voted against the bill.

Click here for a link to the complete roll call tally of the vote.

And here for the names and districts of all eight Democrats who voted against marriage. 

Contact your NYS Senator.

Meeting Reminder, Officer Nominations and The 11^th International Transgender Day of Remembrance

Meeting Reminder:

Our next meeting is next Tuesday, November 24.

7PM

El Museo Gallery

91 Allen Street

Buffalo, NY

As a reminder, the Nominating Committee for next year’s officers would like any nominations by/at our November meeting. Please contact Cory Promowicz ( This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it ), Kendra Korst, Melissa Breckenridge ( This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it ) or Tom Gleed ( This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it ) with nominations and for further information.

From Spectrum WNY…

11th INTERNATIONAL TRANSGENDER DAY OF REMEMBRANCE

Thursday, November 19, 2009 - 7 p.m.

Church of the Ascension
16 Linwood Avenue (corner of North Street)
Buffalo, NY

Join us for an evening to reflect on our shared humanity and carry on the
light of those who have suffered from anti-transgender hatred and
violence.

Stand with us as we honor our families and pledge to love and protect each
other.

This event will feature speakers from our local LGBT community, religious
leaders from open and affirming congregations, musical performances, and a
candlelight vigil. Refreshments will be served.

For more information, contact outspokenforequalit y@hotmail. com or
(716)578-3782

As I am sure you know, Governor Paterson has put the Marriage Equality bill on the State Senate’s agenda for today, November 10. During his address to the state legislature yesterday, the Governor reiterated his support for equality by saying that “Because justice delayed is justice denied, I am asking both sides of the aisle to take up marriage equality this week.”

Contact your State Senator and express your support for being on the right side of history with their support and vote for the Marriage Equality bill in bringing it to a floor vote today. In Western New York, Sen. Bill Stachowski is our top target—a Democrat who does not support equal marriage. Call his office locally: 716-826-3344 or in Albany: 518-466-2426. Also, our area is proud to have Senator Antoine Thompson as a supporter of marriage equality. You may call his office and reiterate your support and thank him locally at: 716-854-8705 or in Albany at 518-455-3371.

Other WNY Senators:

Sen. Volker (R): 716-656-8544

Sen. Ranzenhoffer (R): 716-631-8695

Sen. Maziarz (R): 716-731-8740  

Sen. Young (R): 716-372-4901

Don’t know who your NYS Senator is?

Go to www.nysenate.gov/

And go to the box which reads: Find My Senator and enter your street address and zip code.

Election Day is here! Remember to vote for all of our outstanding pro-equality endorsed candidates.

This year's general election slate of endorsed candidates is as follows: 

Erie County Comptroller Mark Poloncarz for Reelection

Captain John Glascott for Erie County Sheriff

Alice Kryzan for Amherst Town Supervisor

Legislator Lynn Marinelli for Reelection in the 11th Legislative District of Erie County

Legislator Maria Whyte for Reelection in the 6th Legislative District of Erie County

Jamestown City Council President Greg Rabb for Reelection 

Note: For offices such as the City of Buffalo Mayor and Erie County Legislature 8th District, SDWNY made endorsements to primary candidates who were not successful. SDWNY was unable to endorse the winners, Mayor Byron Brown and Legislator Tom Mazur, as neither replied to the group for a request for endorsement.