Advancing the Gay Agenda
by Tom Stiles

Tuesday, April 29, 2008 is “Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) Equality and Justice Day” in the State Capitol. The event is annually sponsored by Empire State Pride Agenda (ESPA) – the largest organization advocating for homosexual issues in New York State.

According to the ESPA website, they will be lobbying primarily for four issues: marriage equality, transgender non-discrimination protections, safe schools for LGBT youth, and more funding for LGBT health and human services.

Let’s look at each of these issues briefly:

(1) Marriage Equality is another name for “same-sex marriage.” Last year, the homosexual lobby did get the State Assembly to pass a bill authorizing this perversion of marriage. Thankfully, the Republican-led State Senate stood firm against it. Now same-sex marriage advocates are trying again to force the state to change the definition of marriage. The Same-Sex Marriage Bill is sponsored by Senator Duane (S5994), and by Assemblyman O’Donnell (A8590).

(2) Transgender non-discrimination protections: The bill that would advance this goal is called the Gender xpression Non-Discrimination Act (GENDA). GENDA is designed to prevent transgendered men or women from facing any consequences for their lifestyle, in employment, housing, or public accommodations. The bill is also a uni-bill (an identical version in both houses). Senator Duane is sponsoring S3753A and Assemblyman Gottfried is sponsoring A6584A.

(3) Safe Schools for LGBT Youth sounds good – who could be against “safe schools?” But that is not what the “Dignity for All Students Act” (S1571 Duane/A3496 O’Donnell) would do. The bill demands that public schools teach homosexuality and transgendered lifestyles as normal behavior. The Assembly passed A3496 on February 27, 2008. S1571 is in the Senate Consumer Protection Committee as of April 12, 2008.

(4) More funding for LBGT Health and Human Services Need: Even though the 2008-2009 budget included millions of dollars for LGBT specific health and human services, it is not enough to satisfy this crowd – they demand more money.