Monday, June 23, 2008


Evil Ogre Leaving New York Senate

The Republican State Senate Majority Leader in New York, Joe Bruno, surprised colleagues with the news that he is stepping down. Bruno has been a staunch foe of same-sex marriage and transgender rights, and for years was a staunch foe of any rights for LGBT people until he finally allowed a gay rights bill to be voted on in 2002 (when it passed) after years of joining other Republicans in stalling it.

Democrats have the Assembly and passed a bill last year giving gays and lesbians full marriage rights, and Gov. Paterson is a big supporter of it. Democrats are within striking distance of taking the Senate, and this will surely only help:

“His resignation, I think, will have an effect on their ability to hold on to their majority,” said Assemblyman Michael Benjamin, a Democrat from the South Bronx. “He was the center. And when the center falls, everything falls apart.”

Great news!