State of New York Archives: on Civil Rights
Andrew Cuomo:
Supports same-sex marriage and same rights of marriage
Friday, June 24, 2011 marked a momentous day in the history of our great State, with the passage of the
Marriage Equality Act, granting same-sex couples the freedom to marry under the law, and the hundreds of accompanying rights, benefits, and protections that have previously been limited to married couples of the opposite sex.
Source: N. Y. 2011 gubernatorial press release "Marriage Equality"
Jul 24, 2011
Bob Good:
Transexuals threaten Christian values
Bob Good, a self-described "biblical conservative" is hoping to rally clergy members with meetings this week attacking a new state law prohibiting discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. "What happens when a male member of your
congregation goes on vacation and returns four weeks later as a female?" the invitation said, adding, "What do your church bylaws state regarding a man dressed as a woman who attends a church function and expects to use the women's restroom."
Source: The N. Y. Times on 2020 VA-5 House race
Aug 16, 2020
Bob Turner:
The ship has sailed on gay marriage; focus elsewhere
Over all, the debate showcased far more policy similarities than differences--all three candidates said they supported hydraulic fracturing, for instance. But they tussled ever so slightly even in areas where they agreed, like same-sex marriage.
Maragos criticized Wendy Long for not publicly advocating the repeal of same-sex marriage in New York. Long said that was not her role, given that she was not a state lawmaker, but Maragos pressed further, saying it was her duty, since she had the
backing of the State Conservative Party--a distinction that Long has eagerly publicized.
Turner was not eager to discuss the subject. "This ship has sailed in New York," he said. "I want to keep the focus on jobs and the economy.
The Gillibrand record, the Obama record--that's what this is going to be about."
In a lightning round of questions, Long said she would refuse to attend a same-sex wedding on principle.
Source: New York Times on 2012 N. Y. Senate debates
Jun 17, 2012
Dave Webber:
Government cannot regulate wages including gender pay equity
- A livable wage NOT minimum wage
- Wages determined by market forces & NOT lost opportunity cost--(Lower taxes)
- Equal pay for equal work with equal qualifications--Government cannot regulate wage & price controls.
- Internships for college students--Helps student earn money while getting college credits
- Prepares them to earn more upon graduation without government edict
Source: 2018 N. Y. Senatorial campaign site DaveWebber4USSenate.com
Mar 31, 2018
David Paterson:
Increased MWBE state contract participation from 4% to 24%
New York State's economic development program has to make sure that is covers all corners of our boundaries. And it is known historically that women- and minority-owned businesses have not had the opportunities or the resources from the State to flourish
To be specific, women--who are 51% of the population and were 29% of the firms that were approved in advance--got 2.6% of the contracts. But it gets worse. Hispanic Americans--8.5% of the threshold vendors, meaning that they had capital, they had been
certified, they passed all the tests--received 0.74%, 3/4 of 1%, of the contracts.
I knew to start a Task Force on Minority and Women Business in June 2008. Here are the results. We have quadrupled the MWBE participation. The minority firms that are
investment banking and involve the issuance of debt went from 4.2% MWB in 2007 to where they stand now--23.9%. Since I have taken office, minority and women firms have yielded $162 million of profit over where they were at that particular time.
Source: N. Y. 2010 State of the State Address
Jan 6, 2010
George Maragos:
Publicly advocate the repeal of same-sex marriage
Over all, the debate showcased far more policy similarities than differences--all three candidates said they supported hydraulic fracturing, for instance. But they tussled ever so slightly even in areas where they agreed, like same-sex marriage.
Maragos criticized Wendy Long for not publicly advocating the repeal of same-sex marriage in New York. Long said that was not her role, given that she was not a state lawmaker, but Maragos pressed further, saying it was her duty, since she had the
backing of the State Conservative Party--a distinction that Long has eagerly publicized.
Turner was not eager to discuss the subject. "This ship has sailed in New York," he said. "I want to keep the focus on jobs and the economy.
The Gillibrand record, the Obama record--that's what this is going to be about."
In a lightning round of questions, Long said she would refuse to attend a same-sex wedding on principle.
Source: New York Times on 2012 N. Y. Senate debates
Jun 17, 2012
Hakeem Jeffries:
Supports affirmative action in state hiring & college
Q: Should the state government consider race and gender in state government contracting and hiring decisions?A: Yes.
Q: Do you support affirmative action in public college admissions?
A: Yes.
Q: Should New York continue affirmative action programs?
A: Yes.
Source: N. Y. Congressional 2008 Political Courage Test
Nov 1, 2008
Howard Mills:
Reduce regulations on private sector
Indicate which principles you support concerning employment and Affirmative Action Issues- Reduce state government regulations on the private sector to encourage investment and economic expansion.
Source: 2000 N. Y. National Political Awareness Test
Jul 2, 2000
Howard Mills:
Include sexual orientation in discrimination & hate crimes
Q: Should New York include sexual orientation in its anti-discrimination laws?A: Yes.
Q: Require that crimes based on gender, sexual orientation, or disability be prosecuted as hate crimes?
A: Yes.
Source: 2000 N. Y. National Political Awareness Test
Jul 2, 2000
Howard Mills:
Restrict marriage to one man and one woman
Q: Should New York restrict marriage to a relationship only between a man and a woman?A: Yes.
Source: 2000 N. Y. National Political Awareness Test
Jul 2, 2000
John Katko:
Same-sex marriage has been decided, so no opinion
Q: Do you support same-sex marriage?
A: Regardless of my personal views, this is ultimately a state issue that has already been decided.
Source: VoteSmart 2014 N. Y. Congressional Political Courage Test
Aug 30, 2014
Rob Astorino:
People from the Bronx drive up costs in Westchester
Democrats in Westchester County are knocking GOP gubernatorial hopeful Rob Astorino for remarks he made about illegal immigrants driving up the cost of services. Astorino, in a 2009 appearance on News 12 in Westchester, suggested undocumented immigrants
and "people who are moving in from the Bronx" are driving up the cost of county services.The video was distributed by the "Astorino Truth Squad"--a group who have been serving as a rapid response team. For now, the Democrats on the local level are
working as surrogates as Gov. Andrew Cuomo has stayed largely above the politically fray at least publicly.
Cuomo earlier teased Republicans for a potential primary: "It's unfortunate that Mr. Astorino has chosen to vilify the hard-working residents of
the Bronx and speak of them as something less than their neighbors in Westchester. I have found that the best path to progress is by celebrating diversity, not insulting one another or pitting New Yorkers against one other."
Source: NY State of Politics blog on 2014 N. Y. gubernatorial race
Mar 1, 2014
Wendy Long:
The Democrats cooked up this whole phony "war on women"
The Post today endorses the candidacy of Wendy Long, a lawyer, former congressional aide and longtime conservative activist, for the GOP nod. She has a long record of involvement on the national level and on national issues. Long, as she herself notes,
is better positioned to fight "this whole phony war-on-women thing that the Democrats are cooking up."
Source: Press Release of 2012 N. Y. Senate debate
Jun 21, 2012
Wendy Long:
Would never attend a same-sex marriage ceremony
At the Republican debate sponsored by Time Warner Cable's Capital Tonight Show and NY1,
Wendy Long said she doesn't feel 'that there are any conservative activists on the current Supreme Court'. She also said she would never attend a same-sex marriage ceremony, despite being a staunch 'women's rights activist'.
Source: PR Newswire coverage of 2012 N. Y. Senate debate
Jun 18, 2012
Page last updated: Feb 07, 2026