Gillibrand touts LGBT record on Fire Island
0In an exclusive interview with the News in the Fire Island Pines on Saturday, Aug. 28, U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand [D-N.Y.] discussed a range of issues from the Fire Island to Montauk Point (FIMP) Reformulation Study, LGBT rights, green energy and government transparency.
Gillibrand participated in a U.S. Army Corps of Engineer-led tour of the beach (specifically the Fire Island Pines, Ocean Beach and Saltaire) that updated her and other officials on FIMP. Hurricane Danielle-generated swells treated beachgoers and surfers alike at the same time the FIMP update took place. And this trip took place less than a week before Hurricane Earl brushed the area. "We need a resolution and we need a plan," said Gillibrand. "It's far better to have a plan in place that everyone agrees on."
Gillibrand also attended a fundraiser in the Pines. She has spearheaded efforts to repeal both the military's ban on openly gay and lesbian soldiers and the Defense of Marriage Act, which prohibits the federal government from recognizing marriages of same-sex couples. Gillibrand also once practiced law with David Boies, one of the attorneys who argued against California's Proposition 8 in federal court. And she praised U.S. District Court Judge Vaughn Walker's ruling last month that found the voter-approved referendum unconstitutional.
"It was a huge success for America and the gay rights agenda," said Gillibrand, who further stressed mid-term election politics should not deter her colleagues on Capitol Hill (and in the White House) from showing leadership on LGBT-specific legislation. "It is a wonderful step in the right direction because anytime you can guarantee marriage equality; we move one step towards full equality for gay and lesbian Americans."
Governor David Paterson appointed Gillibrand to succeed Hillary Clinton in Jan. 2009, but ongoing scandals over tickets he received to attend the opening game of last year's World Series and allegations he and members of his staff and the State Police pressured a long-time aide's former girlfriend not to pursue domestic violence charges have arguably left Gillibrand in an awkward position. She declined to specifically comment on Paterson, but she touched upon one of her campaign messages-transparent government.
"Government both in Albany and Washington is broken," said Gillibrand. "Our job is to restore public confidence in government."
She has sponsored the Earmark Transparency Bill, which would require lawmakers to post their earmark requests online. Gillibrand also stressed campaign finance reform remains an important issue after the U.S. Supreme Court lifted the ban on direct corporate spending on elections in its Citizens United decision earlier this year. And she has sponsored a bill that would require disclaimers on all special interest-funded television advertisements, a ban on foreign-controlled entities from spending unlimited sums of money in American elections, ban companies with government contracts of more than $50,000 from making unlimited expenditures and block donations from companies that receive funds from the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP) and other government assistance.
This bill would also ban anonymous holds on legislation. "It is not right people can secretly prevent legislation from moving forward," said Gillibrand.
Gillibrand used the Pines business district in June 2009 as a backdrop to unveil a bill that would have allowed municipalities to apply for federal funds to assess possible green projects. This measure has been incorporated into the Livable Communities Act, which U.S. Sen. Chris Dodd [D-Conn.] introduced last year, but those who greeted Gillibrand in the Pines praised her record on Capitol Hill-especially on LGBT rights.
"She's a leader," said Scott Wooledge as he and volunteer Richard Thayer canvassed the Pines harbor in support of Gillibrand. "We need somebody to lead. I'm just glad it looks like she's doing well. It would be nice to see her affirmed at the ballot."