The New York City Council LGBT Caucus is a caucus of LGBT members of the New York City Council.[1] The Caucus's stated purpose is "to advance the rights of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) individuals through education, legislation, public policy changes and advocacy" and "to increase the visibility of LGBT New Yorkers through events, forums and media outreach."[1] The Caucus has grown from membership of as low as two members in 2005[2] to seven as of 2017. Former speakers Corey Johnson and Christine Quinn were members of the caucus. David Carr became the first gay Republican elected to the council in 2021.[3]
New York City Council LGBT Caucus | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Ideology | LGBTQ rights |
| Seats on the Council | 7 / 51 |
| Seats in the Council Democratic Caucus | 6 / 46 |
| Seats in the Council Republican Caucus | 1 / 5 |
Current members
edit| Name | Residence | Party | Years in Council |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tiffany Cabán | Queens | Democratic | 2021–present |
| David Carr | Staten Island | Republican | 2021–present |
| Erik Bottcher | Manhattan | Democratic | 2022–present |
| Crystal Hudson | Brooklyn | Democratic | 2022–present |
| Chi Ossé | Brooklyn | Democratic | 2022–present |
| Kristin Richardson Jordan | Queens | Democratic | 2022–present |
| Lynn Schulman | Queens | Democratic | 2022–present |
Former members
edit| Name | Residence | Party | Years in Council |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jimmy Van Bramer | Queens | Democratic | 2010–2021 |
| Daniel Dromm | Queens | Democratic | 2010–2021 |
| Corey Johnson | Manhattan | Democratic | 2014–2021 |
| Carlos Menchaca | Brooklyn | Democratic | 2014–2021 |
| Ritchie Torres | Bronx | Democratic | 2014–2020 |
| James Vacca | Bronx | Democratic | 2006–2017 |
| Rosie Méndez | Manhattan | Democratic | 2002–2017 |
| Christine Quinn | Manhattan | Democratic | 1999-2013 |
| Margarita López | Manhattan | Democratic | 1997–2006 |
| Phil Reed | Manhattan | Democratic | 1998–2005 |
| Antonio Pagán | Manhattan | Democratic | 1992–1998 |
| Thomas Duane | Manhattan | Democratic | 1992–1998 |
Activities
editIn the 2010 legislative session, the LGBT Caucus was responsible for introducing a resolution seeking U.S. Congress to repeal its "Don't ask, don't tell" policy on gays in the military.[4]
In 2016, Daniel Dromm, a former public school teacher and member of the Caucus, led the effort in funding the first LGBT liaison within the NYC Department of Education Office of Safety and Youth Development, with the goal of fighting LGBT intolerance and seeking ways to be inclusive to LGBT communities.[5][6]
The Caucus rebuked Mayor Eric Adams appointment of several anti-LGBTQ individuals to the Mayor's Office.[7]
References
edit- ^ a b "LGBT Caucus". Retrieved 15 March 2017.
- ^ "ON CITY COUNCIL, lgbt CAUCUS DOWN TO TWO". gaycitynews.nyc. Retrieved 2017-03-16.
- ^ Liotta, Paul (November 30, 2021). "David Carr sworn in as new NYC Councilman representing Staten Island's Mid-Island". Staten Island Advance. Retrieved January 24, 2022.
- ^ "Caucuses Weigh In: The To-Do List for NYC's City Council". MetroFocus. 2011-09-23. Retrieved 2017-03-16.
- ^ "Biography". Daniel Dromm. Retrieved 2017-03-16.
- ^ "Ed Department's First LGBTQ Liaison Aims to Make Schools Safe for Everyone". DNAinfo New York. Archived from the original on 2017-03-16. Retrieved 2017-03-16.
- ^ Tracy, Matt (February 21, 2022). "Council's LGBTQ Caucus Condemns Adams' Appointments". Gay City News. Retrieved March 4, 2022.