Spitzer Replacement, Positive for LGBT Community
David Paterson, who will become New York State governor on Monday is viewed by many LGBT activists as one of the biggest supporters of the community.
Throughout his career Paterson has been vocal about the need for equal rights, even going on the record for supporting same-sex marriage in 1994. While Paterson was the state senate minority leader, he lobbied for the inclusion of transgendered people into the Sexual Orientation Nondiscrimination Act. He also refused to pass the hate-crimes bill without protection for gays and lesbians.
Director of the New York Trans Rights Organization, Melissa Sklarz believes Paterson’s own personal struggles have lead him to fight for LGBT rights. “He knows what it’s like to overcome adversity. He knows what it’s like when people are judged negatively at first impression,” she says.
Paterson will become the first African-American and legally blind governor of New York.
