Kristen Gillibrand To Replace Senator Hillary Clinton
Written by Jimmy Vielkind Friday, 23 January 2009 10:40
ALBANY--Empire State Pride Agenda Executve Director Alan Van Cappelle is firmly behind the selection of ostensibly non-liberal Democratic congresswoman Kirsten Gillibrand for the senate. Read more New York LGBT News.
"After talking to Kirsten Gillibrand, I am very happy to say that New York is poised to have its first U.S. Senator who supports marriage equality for same-sex couples," said Van Capelle in a statement. "She also supports the full repeal of the federal DOMA (Defense of Marriage Act) law, repeal of Don't Ask Don't Tell (DADT) and passage of legislation outlawing discrimination against transgender people. While we had a productive discussion about a whole range of LGBT concerns, I was particularly happy to hear where she stands on these issues."
Gillibrand has been under fire from some of the more liberal wings of the party for her strong support of gun rights. Pride Agenda's endorsement also comes after Danny O'Donnell, the only openly gay candidate for the seat, was not selected.
Read the original story at The New York Observer
Here's what James Withers, contributing editor for 365.gay.com has to say:
From a Kennedy to a Gillibrand. New York Gov. David Paterson will announce today that Congresswoman Kirsten Gillibrand will be Hillary Clinton’s replacement in the Senate.
Gillibrand represents the 20th District in New York (it runs from the mid-Hudson Valley to Lake Placid) and is a lion killer. In 2006, she ran against a four term Republican who had always swatted away the Democratic competition rather easily. However, Gillibrand raised tons of cash (who does that remind you of?) and put a spotlight on her opponent’s weaknesses.
But, as an upstate Democrat Gillibrand represents the conservative views of her voters and has been known to vote with Republicans (she came out against last year’s federal bailout). The National Rifle Association gave her its endorsement, which for liberal Democrats is like the seal of approval from Satan.
As for same-sex marriage, she’s against it. That really should not come as a surprise. Democrats who are pro gay marriage (publicly) are few; however, she gets credit for a civil union view I’m willing to bet her constituents are leery about.
“I think the way you win this issue is you focus on getting the rights and privileges protected throughout the entire country, and then you do the state-by-state advocacy for having the title.”
Will she push for that in her new gig is anyone’s guess, but at the very least New York has a new senator who understands why gay couples are seeking marriage rights.
UPDATE: Ahh the hazards of morning blogging when I’m late for work. Marriage is not the only gay issue out there. Compared to other Democratic representatives from New York, Gillibrand earned the lowest Human Rights Campaign score: a 80 out of 100 (B-?).
“According to the Human Rights Campaign, [Gillibrand] voted against the repealing of ‘Don’ Ask, Don’t Tell’ legislation, opposed legislation that would grant equal tax treatment for employer-provided health coverage for domestic partners, opposed legislation to grant same-sex partners of U.S. citizens and permanent residents the same immigration benefits of married couples and opposed legislation to permit state Medicaid programs to cover low-income, HIV-positive Americans before they develop AIDS.”
Mmmmm. Not a good sign at all. Very Republican-ish of her. But as mentioned before: she did not win in 2006 to represent the Upper Wset Side. Will she change her views now that she represents the whole state? That is the theory, but come on people. We are all adults. If these postions can win her a future election, she will hold to them.
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