Statement by Empire State Pride Agenda Executive Director Alan Van Capelle

January 23, 2009 –  “We congratulate Kirsten Gillibrand for being appointed by Governor Paterson as our new U.S. Senator from New York. Finally, the great state of New York has a U.S. Senator who supports marriage equality for same-sex couples. Kirsten Gillibrand 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. Actions always speak louder than words, and in that spirit, we look forward to working with her on the issues that the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community cares so much about.”