Duane Backs Gadson In a surprising move, State Senator Tom Duane has endorsed Jeannette Gadson for borough president, passing over two longtime associates who also sought his nod. The endorsement by one of the city's top gay leaders is sure to play well with white liberals, a group that Gadson and rival State Senator Marty Markowitz are battling over. The Duane endorsement is also sure to influence the Lambda Independent Democrats at its May 10 endorsement meeting. Additionally, the fact that Duane, a former city councilmember, declined to endorse Councilmember Ken Fisher or Markowitz-two officials with whom he has worked closely for years-speaks loudly about his belief in Gadson.

Gadson secured Duane's endorsement by pledging to support gay marriage rights-an issue that has taken on preeminent importance in the gay and lesbian community. Gadson is the only candidate for borough president to support gay marriage, although Markowitz said that he supports civil unions between gays and lesbians. "I think what did put me over the top was her decision to support same sex marriage rights. The most important issue facing the lesbian and gay civil rights movement is the issue of equal marriage rights," said Duane, who added that Markowitz's support for the death penalty also hurt his chances for the endorsement.

"Everybody ought to have a choice. I believe strongly in equal rights for all people whoever they are," said Gadson, who initially waffled on the question of gay marriage several weeks ago during an interview with Assemblymember Dov Hikind's Borough Park political club, but came to make a firm decision after meeting with Duane.

On its face, Duane's decision appears to damage Markowitz more than Fisher. Duane's backing will help Gadson woo voters in one of Markowitz's home bases, Park Slope. Markowitz also must have ambitions about the Lambda endorsement, especially since his campaign manager, Jill Harris, is an openly lesbian Lambda board member. But one prominent Lambda member is now openly speaking out against Markowitz and Fisher. "It is extremely disappointing that Ken Fisher and Marty Markowitz refused to support the rights of gay men and lesbians to marry. Civil marriage is a fundamental right enjoyed by all members of society except gay men, lesbians and transgender people. Because of this restriction we are second-class citizens, no different than interracial couples in the 1960's. Jeannette Gadson has shown true leadership on this issue. I am pleased to support her for borough president," said Alan Fleishman, past president of Lambda, in a statement.

One source said that when Duane informed Markowitz of his decision, Markowitz was more than a bit upset. "Markowitz was apoplectic, hysterical with Duane on the phone-just went bananas, screaming at him, just hysterical," said the source. "No, the word's not mad," said Markowitz. "Each elected official does what's in their best interests-that's it.

"It's upsetting to the extent that I have been in the forefront of gay and lesbian concerns throughout my entire 23-year career as a state senator, including supporting issues of concern to the gay and lesbian community when it wasn't so chic. I did the right thing then, I tried to do the right thing now, and regardless of Tom Duane's endorsement I'll still be supportive of gay and lesbian concerns," Markowitz added. He said that while he voted against a Senate bill last year prohibiting gay marriage, he doesn't support full marriage rights. He does, however, support giving gay couples the same benefits as married couples, also called a civil union.

Fisher's reticence to support gay marriage may stem from practical political considerations, namely a fear of unsettling his supporters in the Orthodox and ultra-Orthodox Jewish communities, although the argument could be made that leaders in those communities may be more concerned with the delivery of social services than gay rights philosophy. Fisher did not return calls seeking comment.

A growing number of elected officials have come out in support of gay marriage, including, according to Lambda questionnaires, all the candidates for public advocate and mayor, with the exception of Speaker Peter Vallone. Brooklyn pols from a variety of areas, including State Senator Velmanette Montgomery, Assemblymember Felix Ortiz, Rep. Anthony Weiner and Assemblymember Joan Millman, also support gay marriage rights, according to the questionnaires. ***

Island Paradise for DiBrienzaCouncilmember Steve DiBrienza's campaign for public advocate got a boost this week with the endorsement of the Staten Island Democrats. "This was a proud endorsement for the executive committee to make and we'll be working hard to make Steve DiBrienza our next public advocate," said John Lavelle, chairman of the Richmond County Democratic Party, in a statement.

The Staten Island Dems is the first county organization to make an endorsement in the public advocate's race. DiBrienza got 26 votes, while Norman Seigel got three and Betsy Gotbaum got one. Carol Butler, DiBrienza's campaign manager, said that he picked up the endorsement because of his support for closing Fresh Kills and his status as a local fighter from the outer boroughs. "He is known as somebody who's from a neighborhood that's really like the neighborhoods in Staten Island, who is a neighborhood activist," said Butler.

The Staten Island Dems also endorsed Bronx Beep Fernando Ferrer for mayor. The endorsement is somewhat surprising, since Ferrer has made attacking the Giuliani administration one of his major campaign themes, and Staten Island is a Giuliani stronghold.

Koch No Longer BulletproofFormer Mayor Ed Koch has joined the list of public officials who've contributed to Assemblymember Dov Hikind's campaign to supply Israeli medics with bulletproof vests. Koch read about Hikind's efforts and decided to donate two bulletproof vests that were specially made for him when he was mayor.

"I've had these vests since I was mayor, and I haven't been mayor for 12 years. They just sit in my closet, and I thought if they could protect someone, why not?" said Koch. "In fact, one of them even looks like a real suit vest."

So far, Hikind has netted over $150,000 for the vests, and has pledged to raise $1 million for additional tactical gear.

Borough Politics Archive
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