New York— N.Y. Democratic gubernatorial candidate Andrew Cuomo drove home his supportive stance on marriage equality and other LGBT civil rights at the Empire State Pride Agenda’s Fall Dinner on Thursday.
The annual LGBT fundraising event, held this year at the Sheraton Towers, also served as a platform for Cuomo to condemn the anti-gay statements made recently by his political opponent, Carl Paladino.
“We are looking at an extremist political agenda on the other side during this election,” said Cuomo in reference to Paladino’s remarks, which referred to gay pride parades as “disgusting” and alleged that children are “brainwashed” regarding the acceptance of homosexuality.
Openly lesbian City Council Speaker Christine Quinn introduced Cuomo at the dinner as a “fearless” champion of LGBT equality and labeled Paladino a “bully.”
Additional political heavyweights and LGBT equality advocates in attendance included Gov. David Paterson; Mayor Bloomberg; Sens. Kirsten Gillibrand and Charles Schumer, who both vowed to work toward a Congressional repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell”; and actress Sarah Jessica Parker, who co-hosted the event with Bravo’s Andy Cohen.
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