Cuomo Gay Rights Record Examined

[davidinalameda]

The New York Times looks at the “fraught relationship” between New York attorney general Andrew Cuomo and gays and lesbians in the state. Some question the low profile, and even some rocky moments, experienced with Cuomo, now the leading candidate for governor.

Reporter Michael Barbaro recounts an episode from the heated 1977 Democratic mayoral primary in New York City, where Cuomo helped his father Mario, who eventually became governor, run against the unmarried Ed Koch. Late in the campaign, posters appeared in Italian neighborhoods of Brooklyn and Queens that urged people to, “Vote for Cuomo, not the Homo.” Both Cuomos have denied any involvement or knowledge of the posters.

Now, more than three decades later, the younger Cuomo appears on track to succeed David Paterson as governor, with a campaign platform that prioritizes marriage equality, prompting many gays and lesbians to come to terms with his record and get on board.

http://www.advocate.com/News/Daily_News/2010/07/09/Cuomo_Gay_Rights_Record_Examined/

[TheWraith]

1. It's not like there's any choice.

Cuomo is the only Dem on the ballot for Governor. For better or worse, he's going to steamroll into the job with 60 or 70% of the vote. The only place that there's any room to change the face of NY politics is in the state senate races, and to a lesser extent the Attorney General race.

[Smarmie Doofus]

2. Uh -oh. A realist.

You are technically correct. But a spirited challenge from the DEM wing ( the unequivocally pro-equality wing) of the party might have the effect of annoying Andrew and the rest of the party apparatus.

That would be not only entertaining but some actual issues might be seriously discussed. Cuomo might even *learn* something. Otherwise the campaign will be just boilerplate NY Dem politics: Cuomo putting his finger to the wind and then taking "positions". How inspired. How novel.

Then the DEMs will control the statehouse; but will it really matter much?

Besides we will likely keep the statehouse under any circumstance.

[TheWraith]

3. "Annoying" Cuomo shouldn't be the point.

The fact of the matter is that even if Cuomo is disappointing on other fronts, I would say that on gay rights he's probably going to be fine. The only issues on the table are GENDA and the marriage bill, both of which he'll sign if he doesn't want to get garroted by his own party.

Whether we have the votes to pass those in the State Senate is a much bigger question--not to mention the fact that if we get enough real reformers in the Senate then we can hold Cuomo to his promises even if he's not the ideal man for the job. That's why the State Senate is the most important area of NY elections this year.