No one is working harder to pass the marriage bill in New York than New York state Senator Thomas K. Duane.
I have known Tom for over twenty years, when he was running for City Council from Chelsea. Then he was a fiery, tenacious advocate for those with less of a political voice including seniors, the disabled, people with HIV/AIDS, and low-income residents. As the first openly gay person elected to the New York City Council then, and now the only openly gay NY state Senator, and openly living with HIV/AIDS, Tom is still the firebrand who selflessly cares about making life better for those in need.
Meeting with him last week to discuss the ongoing historic path towards passing a marriage bill in New York, I saw and heard firsthand that same tenacious and caring person.
New York will soon pass and enact a marriage bill with the proud signature of Governor David Paterson because of many people, including the savvy smarts and directness of openly gay Assemblymember Daniel O’Donnell. But when this bill makes it across the finish line in the New York state Senate in the next few weeks, it will be due to the personal passion of Tom Duane.
The Human Rights Campaign's perspective on the news, issues and events affecting the every day lives of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people across the country.
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