Lambda Independent Democrats of Brooklyn (LID), the borough's only Democratic political club representing the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender communities, today responded to the vicious antigay rhetoric used by Democratic Assemblyman Dov Hikind in a September 24th story that appeared in the New York Daily News. "What's next? Do we legalize bestiality? Do we legalize incest?" asked Hikind who represents all or part of the Borough Park, Dyker Heights, Kensington and Flatbush communities in Brooklyn. He was responding to an announcement by the New York State Democratic Committee in support of a bill that would legalize gay marriage in the state.
"If Assemblyman Hikind disagrees with his colleagues on this issue he will have the opportunity to vote against it when it reaches the floor of the Legislature for a vote," said Alan Fleishman, Democratic District Leader from the 52nd AD and a former President of LID "Comparing homosexuality to bestiality or incest is inexcusable. It is the same kind of hateful rhetoric used by Senator Rick Santorum back in April. "Pennsylvania Senator Rick Santorum was widely criticized for remarks he made equating homosexuality with incest and adultery.
"Hikind's words are clearly intended to placate a small minority of Orthodox Jewish voters in his district who believe that there is something sinful and awful about homosexuality. Assemblymember Hikind should step into the 21st century and join the long list of those supporting marriage rights for gay and lesbian New Yorkers," he added.
The issue's list of supporters includes State Attorney General Eliot Spitzer, State Comptroller Alan Hevesi, City Comptroller William Thompson Jr., Public Advocate Betsy Gotbaum and Speaker Gifford Miller. Supporting Brooklyn elected officials include Congressmembers Jerrold Nadler, Major Owens, Ed Towns, Nydia Velazquez and Anthony Weiner; Assemblymembers Jim Brennan, Adele Cohen, Roger Green, Rhoda Jacobs, Joan Millman, Felix Ortiz, Frank Seddio, and Darryl Towns; Councilmembers Tracy Boyland, Yvette Clarke, Bill DeBlasio, Domenic Recchia and David Yassky; and State Senators Carl Andrews, Martin Malave-Dilan and Velmanette Montgomery.
"Assemblyman Dov Hikind is now engaged in the worst kind of pandering," said Dan Tietz, President of LID. "Marriage, whether gay or not, is about love, equality, and inclusion. It's also about the most American of values: the freedom to choose. Once again, Hikind's disgusting remarks about the LGBT community demonstrate his lack of respect for these fundamental values and his inability to engage in civil discourse," he added.
"Civil marriage is a basic and fundamental right as well as a private and public commitment of love and support by adult couples. Marriage provides a gateway to literally thousands of protections, responsibilities and benefits established by the State. Lesbian and gay New Yorkers deserve and are entitled to these benefits," said Mr. Fleishman. "We applaud the State Democratic Committee for backing this bill, and for their resolute support of the struggle to extend civil rights to all Americans. Let's not fall behind Canada and other countries worldwide in extending freedom of choice to each and every citizen. Let's keep America first in freedom."