long island

2010
general election
voter guide

election day is tuesday, november 2, 2010

you may bring this guide into the voting booth with you
September 2010

Dear Friends:

I am pleased to introduce you to Equality Long

Island’s official Voter Guide for the 2010 General
Elections on Tuesday, November 2nd, 2010. As the
political arm of the Long Island Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual
and Transgender (GLBT) Services Network, EQLI is
dedicated and committed to achieving equality for
the GLBT community at all levels of government.
We endorse, support and work with candidates and
elected officials who are unwavering and steadfast in their support for the
GLBT community.

The EQLI-endorsed candidates in this guide have demonstrated support

for our agenda and goals and have shown to be allies and friends of the
GLBT community. We take our endorsement process seriously and when
we decide our endorsements we must be confident that our candidates will
stand with EQLI for equality. The decision on endorsements is made after
careful consideration of our board of directors, myself and EQLI senior
staff. We take into account completed EQLI candidate questionnaires,
the candidates’ past voting records, their statements and actions to the
public, and their opponents’ views.

These endorsements are EQLI’s recommendation for which candidates, if

elected, would work to help achieve our goals. We are not stopping with
just endorsements, we are backing up our words with action, and we need
your help. Equality Long Island has set up phone banking opportunities
through Election Day and we need every phone line in use to make the
most of our time. We are asking for all members and volunteers to donate
one night or even one hour support EQLI’s endorsed candidates. It is
important to show not only the candidates but also the public that the
GLBT community is a force that will not be silenced.

Be sure to vote on November 2nd, and help us win equality for the GLBT
community!

Sincerely,

David Kilmnick, PhD, MSW

Chief Executive Officer
 —Important Federal Legislation—
The Federal Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) defines marriage as a
legal union between one man and one woman for purposes of all federal
laws, and provides that states need not recognize a marriage from another
state if it is between persons of the same sex. DOMA passed both the
U.S. House of Representative and the U.S. Senate and signed into law on
September 21, 1996 by President Clinton.

Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell (DADT) is a policy restricting the U.S. military from
engaging in efforts to discover or reveal gay, lesbian, and bisexual service
members or applicants, while barring those who are openly gay, lesbian,
or bisexual from military service. Over 14,000 men and women have been
discharged by the military since the policy was implemented. DADT is a
1993 Executive Order from President Clinton, it did not require passage
by both houses.

The Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA)is a proposed bill

in the U.S. Congress that would prohibit employment discrimination,
preferential treatment, and retaliation on the basis of sexual orientation
or gender identity. Both the House or Representatives and the Senate
versions of the bill are still in committee.

long island

—Board of Directors—
Marty Scheinman, President
Resi Cooper
Andrew Stern

—Staff—
David Kilmnick, PhD, MSW
Chief Executive Officer

Katie Horst
Director of Government Affairs
 —Important State Legislation—

The Marriage Equality Act provides same-sex couples with the same
opportunity to enter into civil marriages as opposite-sex couples. The bill
also provides that no member of the clergy may be compelled to perform
any marriage ceremony. Marriage Equality was passed by the NYS
Assembly and voted down in the NYS Senate.

The Gender Expression Non Discrimination Act (GENDA), prohibits

discrimination based on gender identity or expression and include
offenses regarding gender identity or expression under the hate crimes
statues. GENDA was passed by the NYS Assembly and was defeated
in committee in the NYS Senate.

The SAFETY Act, authorizes the Office of Children and Family Services
(OCFS) to establish policies and procedures affording all children in OCFS
facilities an environment free of harassment and discrimination based on
actual or perceived race, national origin, ethnic group, religion, disability,
sexual orientation, gender, or sex and requires reporting of harassment
and discrimination. SAFETY Act was passed by the NYS Assembly is
and is pending in the NYS Senate.

The Dignity For All Students Act (DASA), authorizes the commissioner
of education to establish policies and procedures affording all students
in public schools and environment free of harassment that substantially
interferes with their education, regardless of the basis of the harassment,
and free of discrimination based on actual or perceived race, color, weight,
national origin, ethnic group, religion, disability, sexual orientation, gender,
or sex. DASA was passed by both the NYS Assembly and Senate and
signed into law by Governor Paterson on September 8, 2010.
 —The Endorsement Process—
Equality Long Island (EQLI) is working to achieve equality for GLBT people
in every town, village and county across Long Island, and advocate on the
state and federal level as well. A central aspect of Equality Long Island’s
work is the endorsement of Electing and appointing GLBT supportive
candidates at all levels of government, educating political candidates and
endorsing those who support our public policy agenda are important tools
we use to achieve our goals. We believe that by supporting candidates for
elected office, we can increase the number of allies in government, solidify
the commitment of current allies and hold opponents accountable.

When deciding whether to endorse in a particular race, EQLI considers a

number of factors including whether the endorsement furthers our public
policy agenda, allows for coalition building with strategic allies, results in
significant community or capacity building within the GLBT community,
contributes to the election of GLBT candidates, and allows for specific
public education on an issue of importance.

We make our specific endorsement decisions based on responses to the

EQLI candidate questionnaire, an examination of a candidate’s voting
record (for those who have previously held elective office) and the voting
record of their opponent, a review of his or her public acts and statements,
and consultations with other progressive organizations throughout Long
Island.

-Key-
Open Seat: The current officeholder is not
running again for the same office in 2010.

Incumbent: The endorsed candidate currently

holds the office her or she is running for.

Challenger: The endorsed candidate is running

against the current officeholder.

: The candidate’s opponent did not return a

questionnaire.
 —New York State Governor—

Andrew Cuomo
Democratic, Independence, Working Families
Open Seat
Statewide Office
Andrew Cuomo was elected to serve as Attorney General of New York
State in 2007. Prior to his time as Attorney General, Cuomo spent 5
years as the Housing and Urban Development Secretary, established
Housing Enterprise for the Less Privileged (H.E.L.P), and worked for
his father Governor Mario Cuomo. If elected in November, Cuomo
pledges to make marriage equality a priority in his administration.

—New York State Attorney General—

Eric Schneiderman
Democratic, Independence
Open Seat
Statewide Office
Eric Schneiderman was first elected to the New York State Senate in
1998 to represent the people of the 31st District. Prior to his time in
the Senate, Eric fought for equality in the private sector as a partner in
the firm of Kirkpatrick and Lockhart. During his time in public service,
Schneiderman has been a tireless force in the fight for equality and
justice. He was instrumental in passing the hate crimes bill, SONDA
and DASA. Schneiderman has also been a stalwart advocate in the fight for GENDA and
marriage equality. As attorney general, Schneiderman has promised to fight Washington to
repeal DOMA and the military’s position on “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell”.

—New York State Comptroller—

Thomas DiNapoli
Democratic, Working Families
Incumbent
Statewide Office
Comptroller DiNapoli began his public service career in 1972 when
he was elected as the youngest person, at the age of 18, ever to
serve on a school board in New York. In 1986, DiNapoli was elected
to serve the people of the 16th Assembly District. After 20 years of
serving in the Assembly, DiNapoli was appointed by his peers in the
State Legislature to serve as New York State’s 54th Comptroller. In
the Assembly, DiNapoli led the way in recognizing same-sex marriages in New York and
he continues to support equality groups in their fight for equal rights. DiNapoli supports
legislation to legalize same-sex marriages and has directed the New York State and Local
Retirement System to allow surviving spouses of Retirement System retirees to receive
benefits that were previously not provided for non-spousal partners.
 —United States Senate—
Elections will be held for both of New York’s United States Senate seats this year.

Chuck Schumer
Democratic
Class 3 - Incumbent
Statewide Office
Senator Schumer has been a dedicated public servant since he was
first elected to the NYS Assembly in 1974 at the age of 23. After
3 terms in the Assembly, Schumer ran and won election in 1980 to
the 9th Congressional District of the U.S. House of Representatives.
In 1998, Schumer ran and won a hard fought fight for U.S Senator.
Senator Schumer voted in support of expanding hate crimes to
include sexual orientation, and he voted NO on a constitutional ban of same-sex marriages.
Schumer fully supports marriage equality and the repeal of DOMA and “Don’t Ask Don’t
Tell”.

Kirsten Gillibrand
Democratic
Class 1 - Incumbent
Statewide Office
Senator Gillibrand was appointed U.S. Senator in January 2009 by
Governor Paterson to fill the vacancy left by Secretary of State Hillary
Clinton. In 2006, Senator Gillibrand was elected to the U.S. House of
Representatives. Prior to her time in the House of Representatives,
Gillibrand was special counsel to the Secretary of Housing and Urban
and Development and also spent time at a Manhattan law firm often
providing free legal representation. Gillibrand believes in equal rights for all and has been
a leader on this issue since her time in the House of Representatives. Since entering the
Senate, Gillibrand has been fighting to repeal DOMA and the military’s policy of “Don’t Ask,
Don’t Tell” .
 —United States House of Representatives—

Tim Bishop
Democratic, Independence, Working Families
New York 1st Congressional District - Incumbent
Town of East Hampton, Town of Shelter Island, Town of Southampton, Town
of Southold, Town of Riverhead, Town of Brookhaven and the communities of
Head of the Harbor, Kings Park, Lake Grove, Nissequogue, Smithtown,
St. James.
Congressman Bishop has been a member of the United States
House of Representatives since 2003. Prior to his time in Congress,
Bishop spent 29 years at Southampton College. As eastern Long
Island’s representative in Congress, Bishop consistently supports the
rights of the GLBT community to equal and fair representation as well as protection from
discrimination. As a member of the Congressional GLBT Equality Caucus, Bishop shows
his commitment to achieving the full enjoyment of human rights for the GLBT people in
the U.S. and around the world. He has voted in support of the repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t
Tell”; the Employment Nondiscrimination Act and against the constitutional amendment to
ban same sex marriages.

Steve Israel
Democratic, Independence, Working Families
New York 2nd Congressional District - Incumbent
Town of Huntington, Bayport, Bay Shore, Bohemia, Brentwood, Central Islip,
Dix Hills, East Farmingdale, East Northport, Elwood, Greenlawn, Halesite,
Half Hollow Hills, Islandia, Lloyd Harbor, Melville, North Amityville, Northport,
Oakdale, Sayville, South Huntington, West Hills, West Sayville, Wheatley
Heights, Wyandanch, Amityville, Commack, Copiague, Deer Park, East
Islip, Jericho, Lindenhurst, North Babylon, North Lindenhurst, Plainview,
Ronkonkoma, Syosset, Woodbury, West Babylon.
Congressman Israel has been a member of the United States House
of Representatives since 2001. Prior to his time in the Washington,
Israel served as a Town of Huntington Board member and also as the President of the
Institute of the Holocaust and the Law. As a member of the Congressional GLBT Equality
Caucus, Israel has been a staunch defender of civil rights. He cosponsored Domestic
Partnership Benefits and Obligations Act of 2009, which grants same sex domestic partners
of federal workers the same benefits as federal workers opposite sex spouses as well as
the Employment Nondiscrimination Act. Congressman Israel also supports the repeal of
the Defense Of Marriage Act and the “Don’t Ask and Don’t Tell” policy. Israel believe the
NYS Senate voting down marriage equality was a vote against respecting the dignity of
committed relationship and against ending discrimination in our law.
 —United States House of Representatives—

Carolyn McCarthy
Democratic, Working Families
New York 4th Congressional District - Incumbent
Baldwin, East Meadow, East Rockaway, Elmont, the Five Towns, Lynbrook,
Floral Park, Franklin Square, Garden City, Hempstead, Malverne, Mineola,
Carle Place, New Hyde Park, Oceanside, Rockville Centre, Roosevelt,
Uniondale, Valley Stream, West Hempstead, Westbury.
Congresswoman McCarthy was first elected to the United States
House of Representatives in 1996 and is currently serving in her 7th
term. Prior to her time in Congress, McCarthy spent 30 years working
in the health care field as a nurse. As a member of the Congressional GLBT Equality Caucus,
McCarthy has been a strong advocate for the GLBT community. She was a co-sponsor
ENDA,as well as of the Domestic Partnership Benefits and Obligations Act of 2009.

Gary Ackerman
Democratic
New York 5th Congressional District - Incumbent
Northeastern Queens County, Albertson, Great Neck, Manhasset, Port
Washington, Roslyn, Sands Point
Congressman Gary Ackerman was first elected into the U.S. House of
Representatives during a special election in 1983, he is now serving
his 14th term. Prior to his time in Congress, Ackerman was a school
teacher, editor and publisher of Queens Tribune, and also a New York
State Senator. Congressman Ackerman has always been a leader
in Congress and has dedicated his time trying to gain equality for everyone. Ackerman
was a cosponsor of the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act
that expands the definition of hate crimes and provides law enforcement agencies the with
the tools to fight and prosecute hate crimes. Congressman Ackerman also fought to end
discrimination in the workplace by voting for the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act which ensures
equal pay and fair treatment for all employees, regardless of gender.
 —New York State Senate—

Jennifer Maertz
Democratic, Working Families
1st New York State Senate District - Challenger
Town of East Hampton, Town of Southampton, Town of Riverhead, Town
of Shelter Island, Town of Southold, and the communities of East Moriches,
Yaphank, Middle Island, Rocky Point, Shoreham, Wading River, Sound Beach,
Port Jefferson Station, Miller Place, Ridge, Calverton, and Manorville.
Jennifer is a graduate of St. Johns University and Touro Law School.
She received a MBA from the NY Institute of Technology. She is
a member of the Rocky Point Civic Association, North Shore Youth
Council and the Brookhaven Business and Community Alliance.
Maertz supports the passage of Marriage Equality and GENDA. If elected she has promised
to dedicate a staff member as a liaison to the GLBT community. Maertz believes that New
York is in shambles and discrimination against anyone makes us weaker.

Brian X. Foley
Democratic, Working Families
3rd New York State Senate District - Incumbent
Brentwood, Central Islip, West Sayville, Sayville, Oakdale, Bayport, Blue Point,
East Patchogue, North Patchogue, Brookhaven, North Bellport, Medford,
Holtsville, Holbrook, Ronkonkoma, Fire Island.
Senator Foley was first elected to the New York State Senate in 2008
and is up for his first re-election in 2010. Prior to his time in Albany,
Foley spent 3 years as Supervisor of the Town of Brookhaven and
12 years in the Suffolk County Legislature. In just one short term
in Albany, Senator Foley has made a name for himself as someone
who will stand up for what is right. Foley sponsored and passed a resolution that expelled
one of the majority members of the NYS Senate due to a domestic violence misdemeanor
conviction. On Dec 2nd, 2010 Senator Foley stood as a leader with 23 other senators and
cast a vote in support of marriage equality because he believes civil rights for all adults
should be recognized by all government bodies.
 —New York State Senate—

Craig Johnson
Democratic, Working Families
7th New York State Senate District - Incumbent
Town of North Hempstead, the communities of Elmont, New Hyde Park, Floral
Park, South Floral Park, Stewart Manor, Bellerose Village, Bellerose Terrace, and
parts of Franklin Square and Hicksville.
Craig M. Johnson has been serving in the NYS Senate since his
special election win in 2007. Senator Johnson was the first Democrat
elected to represent the 7th District in over a century. Prior to his
election, Senator Johnson was on the Nassau County Legislature for
7 years. He is also of counsel at the law firm of Jaspen Schlesinger,
LLP. Senator Johnson was a driving force behind the marriage equality vote taken by the
NYS Senate in December 2009. While the resolution was voted down, Senator Johnson
stated that this fight is not over and it is his mission in the NYS Senate to provide marriage
equality.

Carol Gordon
Democratic, Working Families
8th New York State Senate District - Challenger
Copiague, Farmingdale, East Farmingdale, South Farmingdale, Wyandanch,
West Babylon, North Amityville, North Lindenhurst, Amityville, Lindenhurst,
Massapequa Park, East Massapequa, Wantagh, Seaford, North Wantagh,
Roosevelt, Freeport, Merrick, Bellmore, Baldwin Harbor
This is Carol Gordon’s second attempt at unseating Senator Fuschillo.
Ms. Gordon spent 25 years working or the Department of Veterans
Affairs as a mental health clinic manager and patient advocate. She
is a member of the North Amityville Community Economic Council, North Amityville School
Association, Vice President of the Breezy Point Civic Association and the 3rd Vice President
of the NAACP Central Long Island Chapter. Gordon promises to be a friend to the GLBT
community by supporting SAFETY and marriage equality.
 —New York State Assembly—

Marc Alessi
Democratic, Independence Working Families
1st New York State Assembly District - Incumbent
Coram, Miller Place, Rocky Point, Sound Beach, Shoreham, East Shoreham,
Ridge, Middle Island, Yaphank, Mastic, Manorville, Town of Riverhead, Town of
Southold, and Town of Shelter Island.
Marc Alessi was first elected to represent the 1st Assembly District
in a special election in September 2005. Prior to his time in the
Assembly, Alessi worked as political coordinator for CSEA and as the
Long Island Director for the State Comptrollers Office. Assemblyman
Alessi has been a leader in the Assembly when it comes to civil rights issues. He voted
in support of marriage equality, DASA, SAFETY Act and GENDA. Assemblyman Alessi
believes that homosexuality is just as natural as being a left-handed person, and it’s not a
choice.

Fred Thiele
Democratic, Independence, Working Families
2nd New York State Assembly District - Incumbent
Town of East Hampton, Town of Southampton, Mastic, Mastic Beach, Eastport,
Shirley, Manorville, East Moriches, Center Moriches and Moriches.

Assemblyman Thiele began his public service career in 1975 when

he was selected to participate in an internship program in the NYS
Assembly. Thiele was first elected to the NYS Assembly in 1995 and
is now serving in his 7th term. Prior to being elected to the Assembly,
Thiele served on the Suffolk County Legislature and as Southampton
Town Supervisor. As a member of the Suffolk County Legislature, Thiele voted in support
of resolution 39-1988, which expanded the jurisdiction of the Human Rights Commission to
investigate, review, study, and report on practices of discrimination based upon sex, age,
marital status, disability, or sexual orientation. As a member of the NYS Assembly, Thiele
has voted in support of GENDA and the “SAFETY” Act. Most importantly, Assemblyman
Thiele has righted a wrong and not only voted in support of Marriage Equality, but he was a
mlt-sponsor of the bill.
 —New York State Assembly—

Rob Calarco
Democratic, Independence Working Families
3rd New York State Assembly District - Challenger
Mastic, Bellport, Patchogue, Shirley, Blue Point, Medford, Farmingville, Gordon
Heights, Yaphank, East Patchogue, North Patchogue, Coram, Middle Island,
parts of Fire Island.
This is Rob Calarco’s first run for public office, but he comes from a
long line of public servants. After moving to Long Island for college,
Rob decided to make Long Island his home. Once he graduated from
Dowling College with a degree in Political Science, he went on to earn
his Master’s Degree in Public Administration from SUNY Stony Brook.
Calcarco is currently chief of staff to Suffolk County Legislator Jack Eddington. Calarco fully
supports and believes in equality for all people. He promises to be a partner and advocate
for the GLBT community in Albany.

Ginny Fields
Independence, Working Families
5th New York State Assembly District - Incumbent
Centereach, Lake Ronkonkoma, Farmingville, Ronkonkoma, Holbrook,
Bohemia, Oakdale, West Sayville, Sayville, and Bayport.
Ginny Fields was first elected to represent the 5th Assembly district
during a special election in 2004. While still seeking re-election
Assemblywoman Fields lost a Democratic primary and will not be
running on the Democratic line. Prior to her time in the Assembly,
Fields spent 2 terms serving on the Suffolk County Legislature. She
voted in support of marriage equality, DASA, SAFETY Act and GENDA. Assemblywoman
Fields believes that her support for GLBT issues make it easier, safer and give more rights
to the GLBT community.
 —New York State Assembly—

Robert Sweeney
Democratic, Independence, Working Families
11th New York State Assembly District - Incumbent
Copiague, Lindenhurst, Wheatley Heights, Wyandanch, East Farmingdale, North
Amityville, North Lindenhurst, Babylon, Amityville.
Bob Sweeney was first elected to the New York State Assembly in a
special election in 1988. Prior to his time in Albany, Sweeney was the
Lindenhurst Village Clerk. In the Assembly, Sweeney has been a local
activist for the GLBT community voting in favor of Marriage Equality
and the “SAFETY” Act. He has been a co-sponsor on a number of
important bills, including GENDA and DASA.

Charles Lavine
Democratic, Independence Working Families
13th New York State Assembly District - Incumbent
Glen Cove, Sea Cliff, Glenwood Landing, Bayville and Old Bethpage, as well
as Glen Head, Locust Valley, Mill Neck, Oyster Bay, Centre Island, Cold Spring
Harbor, Syosset, Woodbury, Plainview, Bethpage, Farmingdale, Hicksville,
Westbury/New Cassel, Jericho, East Hills, Greenvale, Roslyn, Roslyn Heights
and Roslyn Harbor.
In 2000, Assemblyman Lavine was appointed by Mayor Suozzi to
the Glen Cove Planning Board. In May of 2003, he was appointed
to fill a vacancy on the Glen Cove City Council. In 2004, Lavine was
elected to represent the people of the 13th Assembly District. Assemblyman Lavine is also
President of the New York State National Association of Jewish Legislators. Throughout his
career, Assemblyman Lavine has been an advocate for people who civil rights have been
denied. Since his election in the Assembly, Lavine has been working hard to make sure that
all New Yorkers have same civil rights. He was a mlt-spnsr for GENDA, a Co-Sponsor for
Marriage Equality, and he voted in favor of both the SAFETY Act and DASA.
 —New York State Assembly—

Michelle Schimel
Democratic, Independence, Working Families
16th New York State Assembly District - Incumbent
Port Washington, Sands Point, Kings Point, Great Neck, Great Neck Estates,
Great Neck Gardens, Great Neck Plaza, Manhasset, Russell Gardens, Lake
Success, North Hempstead, Roslyn Heights, University Gardens, Albertson, Old
Westbury, Herricks, Baxter Estates, Munsey Park, Searingtown.

Assemblywoman Schimel is serving her second term in the New York

State Assembly, having first been elected during a special election
in March 2007. Prior to her time in the Assembly, Assemblywoman
Schimel spent 8 years as the North Hempstead Town Clerk and was also a physical therapist
and certified wound care specialist at North Shore University Hospital. During her time in
the Assembly, Schimel has been an advocate and activist for the GLBT community. She
voted in favor of GENDA, the SAFETY Act and sponsored Marriage Equality and DASA.
Assemblywoman Schimel has stood with the GLBT community and promises to do so in
the future.

Harvey Weisenberg
Democratic, Independence, Working Families
21st New York State Assembly District - Incumbent
Long Beach, Oceanside, Hewlett East Rockaway
Assemblyman Weisenberg is a former police officer and a teacher for
more than 20 years. Weisenberg was first elected to the Long Beach
City Council in 1976 and served as its president in 1977 and 1980.
He was first elected to the Assembly in 1989 in a special election
and is currently serving in his 11th term. Assemblyman Weisenberg
is presently the Assistant Speaker Pro Tempore of the Assembly.
Weisenberg was a mlt-sponsor of GENDA, a Co-Sponsor of Marriage Equality and voted in
support of the SAFETY Act.
 long island

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