As founder of Orphans international Worldwide (OIWW), I care for kids around the world.
A few years ago, when I met child advocate and civil rights attorney Jeremiah Frei-Pearson, I knew I had met a kindred spirit.
Last summer I wrote about his organization, Children’s Rights: Protecting Foster Care in the U.S.
This fall I am adding my voice to the chorus that is rising from across New York State, especially in Queens, that we need this humanitarian to help solve the disaster known as Albany.
Jeremiah Frei-Pearson is a personal friend of mine and supports my right to marry.
Jeremiah is a good guy. There are a few good guys out there, so that alone might not be so exciting. What is exciting is that he can be talked into running against – and defeating – a very bad man. George Onorato.
The incumbent, a 26-year conservative State Senator, is part of the old Queens Democrat machine. In 2009 he opposes abortion rights, has received the backing of the Christian coalition in the past, was just one of eight Democrats to vote against marriage equality.
As a gay New Yorker who demands my rights, I will do anything I can to elect Jeremiah Frei-Pearson to the New York State Senate.
The New York State Senate is rated the most dysfunctional legislature in the country, and Onorato is a part of the problem. He has to go. Jeremiah, I know, will be part of the solution.
Onorato has said that his district is conservative. He supported John McCain in the last election. In Onorato’s two-plus decades in office, he has become out of touch with our district. He has a few new neighbors – from around the world – and they want a man like Jeremiah to represent them.
Jeremiah was one of the leaders of Western Queens for Obama, and Barack Obama overwhelmingly won the district. Jeremiah leads Western Queens for Marriage Equality.
They had a rally this summer asking Onorato to vote "yes" on marriage equality. 2,500 people attended - it was the biggest rally ever in Athens Park.
The counter-rally, against marriage equality, had less than 20 people. George Onorato voted with the 20, not the 2,500. He has to go.
Jeremiah told me in a recent interview, "The State Senate is broken. In two decades, George Onorato has seen the Senate move from one of the worst legislatures in the country to the worst."
"I have spent my career fighting to fix government agencies and I know how to make government work for people."
I know that Jeremiah can change the New York State Senate. Onorato, sadly, would just give New Yorkers more of the same.
Jeremiah is a civil rights lawyer who lives in Queens with his wife,
Karla Mosley, pictured here far from Queens on their honeymoon.
Jeremiah is a civil rights lawyer who lives in Queens with his wife, Karla Mosley, and their two cats, Scooby and Scrappy.
Jeremiah has lived in Astoria since graduating from law school. His father has lived in Queens for more than a decade, and Jeremiah spent part of his childhood there.
His commitment to serving Queens — the most multicultural county in the United States – grow from his roots and his experiences as an active participant in the life and politics of the community.
As a lawyer, Jeremiah has spent his career fighting to give voice to foster children and others who have been shut out and shoved aside by our political system.
Jeremiah Frei-Pearson has lived in Astoria since graduating from law school.
He uses the courts to fix broken government foster care agencies and to give opportunities to thousands of children. Jeremiah knows how to make government work.
Jeremiah believes strongly that New York State government must work because our children need better schools, we all need quality healthcare, and we need a government that can tackle the serious economic problems we are facing.
Jeremiah is active in numerous civic groups in our community. He has been recognized with numerous awards, including the 2008 New York State Thurgood Marshall Representation Award and a 2009 award from the New York City Council honoring his work with children.
He actively supports Western Queens Power for the People, Western Queens for Marriage Equality, Astorians United Against Hate Crimes, the Long Island City Alliance, the Coalition for a Better Astoria, Democracy for New York City, and the New York Lawyers’ Democratic Counsel.
Jeremiah Frei-Pearson knows the people of Queens and New York City.
Jeremiah grew up in Baltimore, Maryland, until his family moved to New York State when he was 16. He attended private schools in Baltimore, but lived on the city’s troubled east side—an area wracked by crime, where he saw too many friends end up in jail or dead.
The difference between the opportunities available to the kids from his neighborhood and the kids he met in private school has driven him ever since.
During Jeremiah’s high school years, his family lived in five different towns or boroughs in New York, and he attended New York’s public schools.
Jeremiah graduated from John Jay High School in Cross River, New York, and attended Skidmore College in Saratoga Springs.
Jeremiah Frei-Pearson is a New York City lawyer deeply involved with pro bono causes. Through his work with Children’s Rights and the many Queens community organizations he cares for so deeply, he has proven himself to be both committed and competent. He is a hero.
I strongly urge Jeremiah to run – and win – the New York State Senate seat held by George Onorato. It is time to take back Albany for the people of Queens.
See Jeremiah Frei-Pearson on YouTube and Facebook
My Marriage To My Own Wife Was Once Illegal
On Fighting for Children as a Civil Rights Lawyer
On Marriage Equality and Possible N.Y. Senate Campaign
Related Stories by Jim Luce:
Jeremiah Frei-Pearson: NYC Lawyer, Humanitarian, Possible NYS Senate Candidate (Huffington Post)
Children’s Rights: Protecting Foster Care in the U.S.(Daily Kos)
Harvey Milk Lives -- in Albany (Huffington Post)