The fight to fill Hiram Monserrate's vacant State Senate seat (SC-13) has taken a decidedly homophobic turn. And in New York City. Monserrate was expelled from the NY State Senate on Feb. 10, in the wake of his conviction of misdemeanor assault charges stemming from an incident with his girlfriend. He was acquitted of the more serious felony charges, when his girlfriend changed the initial story she told investigators.
But you can't keep a fighter down and brawling Hiram has launch entered the contest to recapture the Senate seat that was taken from him. The special election is March 16, and apparently virulent homophobes see the convicted woman beater as just the kind of guy to fight for their "way of life."
Challenging Monserrate is State Assmeblyman Jose Peralta. The New York Daily News Elizabeth Benjamin is reporting:
A reader forwarded this flyer, which supporters of Hiram Monserrate have been handing out in churches in the 13th Senatorial District in Queens.
The flyer calls Jose Peralta
"a leading spokesperson for the gay community in NYC"
Which is actually news to this long-time New York City gay politico. I am aware of Jose Peralta's "Yes" votes on Marriage Equality bill in the New York State Assembly, but that he is "leading spokesperson?" That's news. I would have thought I would have heard from him in our press or seen him around more. I'm sure he's had more important things on his mind than pushing the gay agenda. Just as I assume New York City voters have more important things to ask of their State Senator than to fight the Lavender Menace.
But the Slasher's supporters apparently disagree, the flyer goes on to say:
He has the support of the billionaire Gill Foundation and a group of mega rich gay fanatics dedicated to destroying our way of life and creating same sex marriage.
Wow, "mega rich gay fanatics" taking over the gubment!? That does sound scary.
Apparently "their way of life" includes slashing your girlfriend's face with a broken glass and voting against the Democratic majority to hand control of the State Senate over to the Republicans, after a long-fought battle to obtain Democratic majorities.
Ways to help Assemblyman Peralta
For the rest of us, who aren't moved by vitriolic gay bigotry, we recognize Monserrate as a disgusting man, professionally and personally, who has no place representing New Yorkers in Albany. And the Netroots, rather hilariously made that known. Monserrate foolishly included an unmoderated guest book on his re-election campaign site, which very quickly filled up with New Yorkers telling him just what they thought of him, many using that special charm unique to our city.
We're good with the challenger, Jose Peralta. You can find his campaign website here. Act Now NYseems to be the leader in canvassing efforts to educate the public it's not good enough to hate the gays and be a familiar name. Find them on Faceboook here,to keep up with efforts. Donations to Peralta's campaign be made at Peralta's ActBlue page.
Other great resources for information are, RebootNY and The Albany Project, and Manhattan Young Democrats.
The election in New York's Senate District 13 (Queens) is March 16th.
UPDATE 1: there is a canvassing event tomorrow, not listed on Act-Now's site, but affiliated with their efforts. More info can be found here on Facebook. I'll be there, how about you?