Carlos Menchaca for Brooklyn

Friends,

I wanted you all to know about a very good friend of mine who is running to be the next Council Member from the 38th district Carlos Manchaca. When Carlos is elected he will be the 1st openly gay council member from Brooklyn. Inspired by his humble upbringing Carlos Menchaca says he seeks to fight for those who are struggling.

Carlos' historic election to the NYC council cannot happen unless we make it happen. Congresswoman Nydia Velazquez who's congressional district encompasses the 38th Congressional District has endorsed Carlos. In addition to the endorsement of Representative Velasquez Carlos has been endorsed by the Working Families Party, 32BJ, Communication Workers of America, 1199 and a host of other organizations fighting for the working families of Brooklyn's 38th Council District.

I've known Carlos personally for about three years. He's been one of my solid supporters as I pursue my undergraduate degree at Brandeis. He's even made the trip! Look- we owe it to our fellow Brooklynites to make sure Carlos Menchaca is elected to the 38th Council District.  To find out how you can help click HERE.

Let's make it happen!

Jay

What Would Chisholm Do?

  

    I'm feeling especially inspired after talking to voters about the upcoming mayoral election. Almost everyone who stopped talked with me seemed to have a since that this election was an important one.

     Two conversations in particular stood out to me during my outreach. One was with a short elderly woman whom by her accent I could assume to be West Indian. Growing up in Brooklyn, and watching the media it would not be inclined to vote for the first openly gay mayor. The woman looked up at me after she heard me say the Name Chris .. before I could say Quinn she said "Oh the gay one?" I immediately assumed that this woman would not be interested in signing a petition to get Chris on the ballot let a lone vote for her in September and November. To my surprise the woman signed the petition. She looked at me and said "The lady wants to be Mayor.. the rest is none of my business. While she never said she was affirming of LGBT lifestyles I left with a great amount of respect for her. She asked me " You like her?" We talked for a second, the woman began to walk away and she turned around and said " I have a good feeling about her." I said "I know, me too" smiling.

   To me it wasn't just a conversation, over even just about this Mayoral election. This conversation was so inspirational because I learned a lot about the assumptions I make. I also learned to be patient and to realize that progress is happening within communities of color regarding accepting LGBT people.

    Another conversation that stuck with me was with a mother. She told me that she feared for her son's life because she heard the mayor say that he wanted Black and Latinos stopped and frisked. She told me that she wanted a mayor that would oppose Black and Latino young men being targets of the NYPD. I smiled when she said "We need a black woman, another Shirley Chisholm." If Mrs. Chisholm was alive today what would she say about stop and frisk?

This Calls for a Blender

                    
This past weekend I was pleased to visit my family friends house at their house in Brooklyn Heights. It was a very beautiful one might I add. When I was visiting John and his partner Mike and their two children the only thoughts that were in my head was "I gotta Look Good, you know how these queens can be" and OMG they have such a lovely family.

                  Openly sharing about the adoption of his own children was very affirming. Some times the images I have seen of adoptive family situations are not always positive. Speaking of portrayal of foster families in media I have to ask: has anyone seen the show the Fosters? I couldn't stand to watch the whole first episode.
                    
                  Ok- Back to Mike and John. Even if Mike and John was the meanest person I have ever met they would still deserves the full service of his government; all of the benefits straight couples have. But it happened that they weren't Bitches at all and I don't need to tell anyone but yes, they were a family.

                    What was interesting is that Mike and John loved each other. They loved their children. Regardless of what the Federal government said they were married. The love was there. The only thing that was missing however was a blender. Mike said that if DOMA passes he and John would wed. Someone better get looking for a blender soon!

Jay

Tea With Jay Episode 5: A message to my Trans/ Gender non-conforming family.

We Must End Gender Expression Discrimination Nationwide

The denial of equal protection under the  law for transgendered and Gender-Non Conforming individuals is unjust, and unamerican. However, the conversations regarding expanding rights toward groups that have been left out is a very American one. Our counties history is filled with great moments, where through great struggle we expanded rights to groups who deserve it because they are American, and further more they are human.

Currently, only 21 States ban employment discrimination based on Gender Identity. This is unacceptable, we must demand of a the end of discrimination based on gender idenity nation wide. Not gaureenting equal protections that their cisgendered counterpars are under the law blatanly unconstitutional and just plain wrong. All states have the obligation to protect the rights of it's minoties. As a New Yorker, I am not pleased that our state has yet to pass such protections for Transgendered Individuals. I am shocked that there is not a greater outcry to pass the Genda Expression Non-Discrimination Act. We must live up to our reputation as being the state that leads on expanding rights, not follows. As an American I DEMAND FEDERAL PROTECTIONS FOR TRANSGENDERED and gender non-cnforming individuals. It's appaling that we will allow politics or popular opinion to trump civil rights. This is unnacceptable and we must make it right now by passing a Federal Gender Non-Discrimination Act. Transgendered individuals have the right to these protections regardless of where they live. 

Jay Polite              


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