Paterson Pledges
Support for Marriage Equality

In accepting his New York Leadership Award from the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force on Monday night, newly installed governor David Paterson announced that he would continue to push for full marriage equality for LGBT New Yorkers, according to a Task Force press release.

Paterson also said he favors legislation that would deter bullying in schools, promote transgender rights, and extend affordable health care to all residents.

He told the crowd he was "proud to have run on a ticket that advocated for marriage equality and to win on that premise."

Paterson also acknowledged the 40th anniversary of the Reverend Martin Luther King Jr.'s death, remembering him as someone who would "go beyond the issues of his neighborhood," adding, "New York's civil rights leaders recognize that the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender communities deserve equal rights as well." (The Advocate)