Proud to Support Marriage Equality - & Danny Dromm

I am leaving for a 7 day cruise to Bermuda in a couple of hours- but I wanted to post before I left, because this issue is so important to me. I just attended Danny Dromm's first fundraiser for his City Council run - prior to Queens's gay pride parade- and I am filled with excitement, both for Danny's future, and the future of marriage equality in New York State and New York City.

This issue is gaining momentum, and with California's recent decision, New York has the opportunity to be the 3rd state to step up to the plate in this important issue of human rights, which really affects all of us. It is through the leadership of individuals such as Danny Dromm that we will accomplish these goals- and so I am proud to support him, my fellow UFT member.

Happy Memorial Day / It's Alright to Cry

I was on my way to work this morning, listening to WFAN and thinking about the sad state of my beloved New York Mets, when Boomer Esiason closed the show by saying, "This Memorial Day, when you're drinking a beer and enjoying a hot dog, take a minute to really think about what the holiday is all about."

He then played "Proud to be an American/God Bless the USA" to close out the morning sports show, and I proceeded to start bawling in my car like I had lost a puppy. Nope, I'm not embarrassed to admit it, I cried, a lot, as I listened to the song and thought about what it means to me.

I am proud to be an American, and I am proud of everyone who has fought for our country to protect the freedoms we often take for granted. Happy Memorial Day, and thanks to all who have fought and continue to fight for the USA.

Knocking on Doors - Just Not for Myself Yet

In the past couple of weeks - I have hit the streets of Queens - going door to door petitioning, chatting with people about the issues important to them, and gathering support- not for myself, but for my friend and future Council mate, Elizabeth Crowley.

Elizabeth is running in the 30th District which covers central Queens, in a special election June 3rd to replace the recently-resigned Dennis Gallagher. It has been a great experience campaigning with and for her, and has energized me in my own campaign aspirations.

Good luck, Elizabeth!

NYSUT Convention a Great Reminder of my Teaching Roots

This past weekend, I attended NYSUT's annual convention of teachers and support professionals from all over New York State. As a math teacher currently on a leave of absence, I was able to attend as a delegate, among many representing UFT at the convention.

Highlights included:

• Hearing Tom Chapin perform live his new parody "Not on the Test".
  
• Hearing David Paterson speak for the first time as Governor on New York.
• Learning officially of Randi Weingarten's candidacy for AFT President.
• Being surrounded by hundreds of teachers who work day after day at improving the lives of their students.

It made me miss being a teacher, but it reinvigorated me in my early quest to serve the city as a Councilperson.

Gennaro a Good Speaker at JFK Club

James Gennaro was the guest speaker at Morty Povman's JFK Regular Democratic Club Thursday night (on whose Board I sit) and he did a very nice job. Gennaro is the current City Councilman from the club's district and he will be term limited out in 2009. Of course, he hopes to not have to worry about that because he's running against longtime Republican State Senator Frank Padavan this year.

The race will be an uphill battle for Gennaro against the ever-popular Padavan, but he did impress at the meeting Thursday. He talked about environmental issues and fiscal equity issues mostly, joking about his recent success at Sundance and talking about the Dems goals of finally taking over the State senate this year.

Good luck, James and let me know how I can help!

Open Message to Male Politicians: Keep it in Your Pants!

The recent news of Eliot Spitzer's illegal involvement with a prostitution ring is nothing short of a total embarrassment, to Spitzer and his family, to New York state, and really to males everywhere.

What the f---?

What makes this so tragic is that Spitzer, the current Governor of New York (undoubtedly not for long) and former Attorney General of New York, has for many years had a squeaky clean image as a family man- and has vigorously pursued criminals and established himself as an upholder of justice for all.

Now he must resign. Whether or not you agree with the morality of the laws concerning prostitution, the laws are there. Worse, because he transported a prostitute across state lines, he has committed a federal crime.

But the worst part of this is not the criminal element. It is the humiliation of another male political leader, a husband and father.

Spitzer's screwup is only one (though arguably the worst) in a long line of idiotic male political leaders:
President Bill Clinton
Governor James McGreevey
Senator Larry Craig
Gary Condit.
Newt Gingrich.
The list goes on and on....

As a young man running for New York City Council and embarking on my own political career, but more important as a proud husband and father, today, I am embarrassed to be a man.

KEEP IT IN YOUR PANTS!

There is absolutely no excuse. If you are a man who takes wedding vows, you have a legal and moral responsibility to your wife not to cheat. If you are an elected official, you have an even greater responsibility to the public to be a role model: To do what is legal and what is right.
If you can't do that, then don't get married, and certainly, don't run for public office!

None of us is perfect. I am certainly far from perfect myself. However, there are certain standards that we must hold ourselves to and that we must hold our elected officials to.

Too many men, most recently Spitzer, have not met these standards, and have disappointed their families and the public.

Just keep it in your pants. It's really that simple.

My First Club Speech Ever!

Last night I had the great pleasure of being the featured speaker at The LGBT Queens Democrats Club, led by my new friend and UFT brother Daniel Dromm. Danny, also running for City Council in the Jackson Heights area of Queens, was kind enough to invite me to speak, and the entire club was friendly, warm and welcoming, from all of their members to their president, Bruce.

My wife was kind enough to come as well and film much of the meeting, and we'll be posting excerpts later. I was a little nervous at first, but mostly very excited. I began by giving a brief bio of myself, from my days at Hunter High School, which featured a 10%+ Club for LGBT kids and their friends, to my college graduation when my best friend came out to me, to my current family, where even though I'm a straight married guy, because I'm a stepfather, my daughter Charlotte has 2 daddies.

I reviewed the 4 major areas of my platform, and then we had a group conversation about issues pertaining to the LGBT community such as marriage equality and homeless NYC LGBT youth. It was not only fun and interesting for me, but truly enlightening- and I look forward to continuing to work with the members and leadership of the club throughout my candidacy and hopefully my term in the Council. Thanks again to Danny for inviting me and making me feel so welcome!