NEW YORK: Gay Man Wins Landmark Suit To Inherit Late Husband's Estate

A New York state appeals court has ruled that a gay man married in Canada has the right to inherit the estate of his late husband, despite claims by the husband's family that their marriage was invalid.

While same-sex couples can't wed in the state, J. Craig Leiby and H. Kenneth Ranftle were legally married in Canada, so Leiby is entitled to recognition as the surviving spouse in a dispute over Ranftle's estate, the appellate judges said. Ranftle died Nov. 1, 2008. His brother Richard contested the will and challenged the legitimacy of the marriage, saying it violated state policy.But the state Supreme Court's Appellate Division wrote, "New York's long-settled marriage recognition rule affords [recognition] to out-of-state marriages" that are valid where they are made.

And once again we thank former Gov. David Paterson!

Full text of the court's ruling.

Thank You, Governor Paterson

As his final day in office winds to a close for Governor David Paterson, LGBT New Yorkers should offer him our thanks for being the most relentlessly and loudly pro-gay governor in state and arguably, national history. Our state movement's two most important pieces of legislation, GENDA and marriage equality, remain unattained, but that, of course, is due to our clown car of a state Senate and is no fault of the governor's.

Paterson, to his everlasting credit and over the loud protests of bigots, issued an executive order protecting state employees in New York from discrimination based on gender identity and expression. In May 2008, he directed state agencies to recognize out of state same-sex marriages, a move countered by numerous (and unsuccessful) lawsuits. And if there was a marriage equality rally or an angry protest, we usually showed up to find Governor Paterson at the podium or on a bullhorn. Probably my most memorable moment of Paterson's tenure was watching him stand in a pouring rain in Washington Square to deliver an impassioned speech against the bullying and abuse of LGBT youth.

And let's not forget Gov. Paterson's unexpected selection of an obscure upstate legislator with wobbly bona fides to fill the formidable shoes of then Sen. Hillary Clinton. Many questioned that move at the time (myself included), but Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand has surprised us all and turned into a powerful and effective advocate for LGBT New Yorkers. Sen. Gillibrand may turn out to be Paterson's most enduring legacy for the good of our movement.

We've had the occasional disagreement with Gov. Paterson, in particular the continuing exclusion of indigent HIV patients from the state's rent relief program for the seriously ill. But even that bad decision grew out of the state's financial morass and not from animus. Today, let's thank Governor David Paterson for his support of the LGBT community and hope that one day soon, we'll again see thousands of New Yorkers happily marching in the NYC Pride Parade wearing stickers proclaiming "We Luv Our Guv!"

NYC: Openly Gay State Sen. Tom Duane Among Those Arrested At AIDS Protest

Openly gay and openly HIV+ New York state Sen. Tom Duane was arrested along with several other AIDS activists in a protest at City Hall tonight.

The act of civil disobedience was meant to draw attention to a housing bill that was vetoed by the governor earlier this year. The bill would insure that poor people living with HIV/ AIDS wouldn't have to spend more than 30 percent of their income on rent. Advocates argue the bill saves money in the long run, by lowering the rate of evictions and homelessness. Governor David Paterson vetoed the bill at Mayor Michael Bloomberg's urging. Both men call it an unfunded mandate that neither the city or state can afford. Advocates say the bill would affect about 10,000 low income New Yorkers living with HIV and AIDS.

At the time of the veto, Gov. Paterson remarked that it was the hardest decision he'd had to make since taking office.

NY Gov. David Paterson Leads Crowd In NYC Vigil For At Risk LGBT Youth

Last night New York Gov. David Paterson, possibly the best straight political ally the LGBT community has ever known, lead thousands of New Yorkers in a vigil for the at-risk queer youth of our state. A gentle rain began to fall during the action, matched only by the tears on everyone's faces as Broadway star Cheyenne Jackson led the crowd through a heart-wrenching rendition of Over The Rainbow. Full-screen versions of the photos below can be viewed here.

NY Gov. Paterson Signs Law Allowing Joint Adoption by Unmarried Couples

Gov. David Paterson has signed a bill allowing all unmarried couples to jointly adopt in New York state.

The measure signed by Gov. David Paterson also substitutes the gender-neutral term "married couple" in the adoption statute for "husband and wife." According to sponsors, that partly codifies state appeals court rulings and clears up complications from joint adoption as a two-step process. It’s also meant to help ensure children get support, insurance and other benefits from both adults, as well as lifelong relationships even if couples split up. Single gay people can already legally adopt in New York. "Because same sex couples can’t get married and some heterosexual people don’t want to get married, they were not allowed to adopt a non-related child together," said Assembly member Linda Rosenthal, a Manhattan Democrat and chief sponsor. "If there is a foster child that neither is related to, they had to do it separately. What happens often is one does it, and the other says, ’Yeah, I’ll get to it.’ But it’s a costly endeavor. It’s a separate procedure for both."

The bill becomes effective immediately.

NEW YORK: AIDS Activists Protest Gov. Paterson Over Housing Bill Veto

AIDS activists protested outside the Manhattan office of Gov. David Paterson today over his reneging on a pledge to support a bill that would cap the rents of people with AIDS at 30% of their income. Via press release from Housing Works:

Paterson had agreed to sign the 30 percent rent cap bill in both 2009 and 2010, but went back on his promises yesterday, claiming that it would prove too expensive during a difficult budget year. Since, City Council Speaker Christine Quinn, as well as council members Annabel Palma and Helen Diane Foster, have sharply criticized the governor’s action. The bill would have helped nearly 10,000 low-income New Yorkers with HIV/AIDS, according to July numbers released by the HIV/AIDS Services Administration, by capping their rent at 30 percent of their income. Today, a state policy forces many poor state residents with HIV/AIDS to pay as much as 75 percent of their income toward rent, causing them to make difficult choices between medical care and paying their landlords.

More photos from today's action are here.

NEW YORK: Gov. David Paterson Signs Comprehensive Anti-Bullying Bill

New York Gov. David Paterson today signed the Dignity For All Students Act (DASA), a sweeping anti-bullying education reform bill that grants explicit protections to students based on sexual orientation and gender identity/expression. It is the first law in New York state to include gender identity and expression as protected classes.

The signing of this historic bill took place at the NYC LGBT Community Center. The NGLTF's Rea Carey cheers via press release:

“For some young people, going to school is tantamount to a daily dose of torture. In too many cases, harassment, taunting and abuse are allowed to go on unabated in our nation’s schools. We have repeatedly seen the tragic consequences of this pervasive problem: young people are left emotionally damaged, physically hurt, or feel they have no other option than to take their own lives out of hopelessness and despair. Youth who are lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender — or simply perceived to be — are often the targets of this abuse. Today, New York said enough is enough."

The bill's sponsor was openly gay Assemblyman Daniel O'Donnell:

"Too many students are bullied based on real or perceived differences with their classmates. Every student deserves an environment free of harassment and discrimination, an environment that allows every child to reach his or her full potential. For too long, our educational system has been blind to the plight of these students. I am proud that the Assembly led the way on this important issue, and that today, the Dignity for All Students Act is finally signed into law."

This is a fantastic step forward for the LGBT youth of New York state, but the battle rages on elsewhere as groups like Focus On The Family continue to influence school boards and state legislatures in their campaign to enable the brutalization of gay children.

Bronx Pol: If You Tax Cigarettes Too Much, The Terrorists Have Won

A just-approved hike in the state tax on cigarettes will raise the cost to around $12/pack in NYC, prompting Bronx Assemblyman Michael Benjamin to claim that Gov. Paterson hates Israel. Because higher cigarette prices encourages bootlegging. Which is done by terrorists.

"Criminals and terrorists will be further enticed to take advantage of the price differential between high tax and low tax jurisdictions, ie, NYS/NYC, Native American reservation smokeshops, and/or any southern state. We are sowing the seeds of increased terrorism-related activities by those who mean America, Israel and our other allies harm," he said.

Terrorists have been found in the cigarette bootlegging business. The new tax is expected to generate about $440M in added revenue. The state budget has a current shortfall of $9B. NYC adds its own tax to cigarettes and when the price first hit $10/pack last year, the city estimated that about 40,000 residents gave up the habit. A survey taken at the time indicated that the next "breaking point" for smokers would be at the $15/pack level.

Andrew Cuomo Announces NY Gov Bid

It's been coming for about a year, but today New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo finally announced formally that he is running for governor.

"New York is upside down and backwards; high taxes and low performance," said Cuomo. My campaign is this simple: I represent the people of the great state of New York and we want our government back." Cuomo's announcement isn't surprising but it is significant. Cuomo, the son of former Gov. Mario Cuomo, has long been expected to run -- a path made more clear by Gov. David Paterson's (D) decision not to seek a full term in the fall. Cuomo enters the race as an overwhelming favorite. Former Rep. Rick Lazio and Suffolk County Executive Steve Levy are competing for the Republican nod.

Cuomo previously ran for governor in 2002, but dropped out when it became clear that state Comptroller Carl McCall would win the Democratic primary. McCall lost to George Pataki.

Astroturfers Fight NY Gov. Paterson's Proposed Beverage Tax

NY Gov. David Paterson's controversial beverage tax, which is meant to fight obesity (and help balance the budget), is facing vigorous opposition from soft drink manufacturers. The astroturf group New Yorkers Against Unfair Taxes has been running the below ad on NYC television every hour for the last few days. The proposed tax is one cent per ounce of sugared beverage, which includes colas, most sports drinks, powdered mixes, and some fruit juices.