Candidate Answers to JOLDC: Patrick Martinez for NY Assembly District 30
Candidate Name: Patrick Martinez
Office Seeking Election for: NY Assembly District 30
Campaign Website: https://www.martinezforqueens.com/
1. Based upon your life experiences and accomplishments, why do you believe you are best qualified to represent your district?
I am a mother, daughter of an immigrant, child of a union household, legislator in the NYS Assembly, democratic socialist and a long time organizer and leader. I am running for State Senate because the district that makes up the country’s most diverse communities deserve leadership that listens, delivers, and never stops fighting for us.
We are living in one of the most expensive cities in the world—and working families are being squeezed from every angle. We need more urgency, more courage, and more leaders who are grounded in our communities, and willing to partner at all levels of government - city, state, and federal- to deliver for our neighbors. That’s who I am.
I helped deliver universal school meals to every child in New York. I’ve defended reproductive freedom and LGBTQ liberation. I’ve fought to expand health care access for New Yorkers—regardless of immigration status or income. And I’ll keep fighting to bring down the cost of living for working families.
I’m unwavering in my core values—of equity, dignity, and justice. These aren’t just words; they guide every decision I make. It takes a leader who is willing to collaborate and build coalitions. That’s how we win lasting progress.
2. What LGBTQ+ organizations have you been involved with, either on a volunteer basis or professionally?
As one of only two openly LGBTQ women serving in the New York State Assembly, my commitment to LGBTQI+ liberation is both personal and reflected in my legislative work. I approach policymaking through an intersectional lens that recognizes LGBTQ justice as inseparable from reproductive justice, racial justice, and economic equity.
Before joining the Assembly, I spent more than a decade in the reproductive justice movement at the national level, where I worked to expand bodily autonomy and healthcare access for women, LGBTQ people, and gender-expansive communities. That experience continues to shape my work as federal attacks on LGBTQIA rights, reproductive freedom and gender-affirming care intensify. New York must remain a true safe haven for LGBTQIA, reproductive and gender justice.
In the Assembly, I have prioritized legislation that expands access to affirming healthcare and protects the dignity of LGBTQ New Yorkers. I was the prime sponsor of the Reproductive Freedom and Equity Act, which was enacted in the state budget and establishes a state abortion access fund administered by the Department of Health to support providers delivering uncompensated care. Building on that model, I introduced a bill which would create a Gender-Affirming Care Fund to provide grants covering uncompensated gender-affirming care for patients in New York.
I am also the prime sponsor of the Healthy and Safe Students Act, which would require medically accurate, age-appropriate, and LGBTQ-inclusive comprehensive sex education for students in grades K–12. Inclusive education is critical to supporting LGBTQ youth and ensuring that students learn about consent, healthy relationships, and gender diversity. I am also the prime sponsor of the RAISE Children Act that allows for confirmatory adoption in NYS and authorizes more than two persons to be named parents as result of births by assisted reproductive technologies that supports many queer families.
Additionally, I sponsor the Colleges with Emergency Contraception (CWEC) Act, which would require CUNY and SUNY campuses to install vending machines with emergency contraception accessible 24 hours a day. I am also a co-sponsor of the Gender Identity Respect, Dignity, and Safety Act, which ensures that incarcerated individuals have access to clothing and commissary items consistent with their gender identity.
Beyond legislation, I helped secure $15 million in funding for the Lorena Borjas Transgender and Non-Binary Wellness and Equity Fund, which supports community-based organizations serving transgender and nonbinary New Yorkers.
As an openly LGBTQ legislator representing one of the most diverse districts in the state, I remain committed to advancing policies that expand access to gender-affirming care, protect LGBTQ youth, and ensure dignity and safety for LGBTQ people across New York.
3. What press conferences, demonstrations, rallies and protests in support of LGBTQ+ issues, pro-choice legislation, racial justice, criminal justice have you attended, including rallies specifically against Donald Trump and his policies?
Aside from the above, I have been a visible, vociferous supporter in support of LGBTQ+ issues and against this federal administration’s fascist regime. I will continue to use my office to both advance strong pro-LGBTQI legislation and remain deeply connected to the thriving queer community in my district.
My district is home to Queens Pride Parade, the second-largest Pride celebration in New York City. I have supported and marched in Queens Pride for more than two decades, long before becoming an elected official. As a legislator, I continue to uplift LGBTQ+ businesses and organizations by hosting campaign and community events with them, hosting flagship Queens Pride events, and maintaining close relationships with LGBTQ leaders who help inform my policy positions.
Beyond community engagement, I use my platform to advocate for policies that protect the dignity, safety, and health of LGBTQ New Yorkers. I have participated in marches and actions alongside trans sex workers and have rallied for greater dignity, protections, and resources for our trans and gender-expansive siblings. I have also worked with advocates to secure funding for the Lorena Borjas Transgender and Non-Binary Wellness and Equity Fund and to advance other pro-LGBTQ legislation in Albany.
When threats arise, I act quickly. I have helped lead legislative letters opposing any attempt to roll back gender-affirming care in our hospitals and introduced legislation to ensure providers have the resources needed to continue offering that care.
In the State Senate, I will continue using my position to pass strong protections against discrimination, ensure safer and more inclusive schools, expand access to gender-affirming healthcare, and secure sustained investments in LGBTQ community organizations. Just as importantly, I will remain accountable to the LGBTQ community in my district by staying in close partnership with advocates, organizers, and local leaders shaping this work on the ground.
4. In light of the Trump Administration’s war on women, the LGBTQ+ community, minorities and immigrants, what are your plans to organize and combat the Trump agenda?
See above.
5. Will you seek or accept endorsements from individuals who oppose LGBTQ+ and reproductive rights?
Absolutely not.
6. Do you support the unrestricted right to reproductive care and abortion?
Yes.
7. Have you hosted, funded or otherwise supported Drag Story Hours in your community?
Yes! I am a huge supporter of Drag Story Hours and I have personally attended their events, donated to them, participated in protection of the story tellers when fascists were trying to attack them outside of Jackson Heights Library, and participated in rallies and press conferences in support of Drag Story Hour.
8. How will you work to enhance protections for immigrants and uphold New York’s role as a “Sanctuary City”?
I vociferously advocate for legislative actions and the necessary funding to protect our communities, including fighting for New York For All and getting arrested in protest to the conditions our immigrant communities have to endure in detention. I have spoken up in conference to pressure the Speaker, joined rallies, press conferences, and strategy meetings to secure support such as funding for legal representation and other emergency measures, such as when hurricane Ida hit my district and many undocumented families were unable to receive FEMA funding. We were successful in creating a state-based emergency fund for those who were denied FEMA resources due to their immigration status. In terms of standing with our immigrant neighbors, I and my staff are in rapid response mobilization and are ready to move quickly to protect our neighbors. I have hosted Know Your Rights clinics with local PTAs and have done know your rights canvasses with small immigrant businesses in Corona. I have attended neighborhood organizing events to protest ICE actions, and will continue to do so. I was arrested protesting the inhumane conditions at 26 Federal Plaza. I will keep protesting, I will keep fighting, and I will keep moving in solidarity with the immigrant community.
9. Do you support New York becoming a Transgender Sanctuary State?
Absolutely.
10. If elected, will you commit to supporting legislation that raises taxes on the richest New Yorkers and large corporations in order to fund the services and investments our communities need?
I am an active member of the Invest In Our New York campaign that includes taxing the rich, and have been a longtime advocate for this. I will continue to advocate until this is passed.
11. How will you represent the most vulnerable, including individuals experiencing homelessness and asylum seekers? Have you ever opposed any shelter in your district?
I have been a strong advocate for the unhoused, fighting for policies and funding for programs like the Housing Access Voucher Program and funding for homeless and runaway youth. I even did a recent ‘slumber party’ with the Ali Forney Center outside the Governor’s office to fight for $22 million in funding for homeless youth. I have never opposed a shelter in my district.
12. Will you sponsor and support legislation which will ensure that state and local resources are not used to facilitate or cooperate with federal immigration enforcement (New York for All Act) to prevent the funneling of people into ICE custody, and the sharing of sensitive information with ICE?
Yes - I am a strong supporter of New York For All.
13. To advance safety and justice, New York must address our archaic sentencing and parole laws. Do you support the following key legislation: 1) Second Look Act (S.158/A.1283), which would allow judges to review and reconsider excessive sentences by considering if incarcerated people have transformed while incarcerated or based on changes in law and norms; 2) Earned Time Act (S.342/A.1085), which would strengthen and expand “good time” and “merit time” programs in prison that encourage personal transformation and reunite families?; 3) Marvin Mayfield Act (S.1209/A.1297), which would eliminate mandatory minimum sentences, thereby allowing judges to consider individual factors in a case?; 4) Elder Parole (S.454/A.514), which would allow incarcerated people over age 55 who have served 15 years the opportunity to go before the parole board?
Yes, and have been a consistent champion for that package of bills.
14. Do you oppose the death penalty?
Yes.
15. Do you support outlawing solitary confinement?
Yes.
16. Do you commit to visit constituents who are incarcerated? Will you work to secure the release of individuals who have demonstrated sincere remorse, worked toward rehabilitation and are not deemed a threat to society?
Yes; I have conducted at least 7 visits to prisons and jails across the state, visited incarcerated constituents, and have worked to secure release and clemency requests to the Governor for several individuals and constituents.
17. Do you commit to make applications for clemencies available to your constituency including a link to an application in a constituent newsletter? Will you submit it to our club?
Yes
18. Did you rank Andrew Cuomo on your Democratic primary ballot in 2025? Who did you support for mayor in the 2025 Democratic primary and general election?
I did not rank Andrew Cuomo! I endorsed Zohran Mamdani for mayor in the primary and general election.
19. In view of the fact that Ed Koch has been documented to have caused the deaths of scores of people with AIDS, excused city council members who voted against the gay rights bill and was blatantly racist, would you support and sponsor a bill to rename the former Queensboro Bridge?
Yes.
20. Do you support naming the soon to be reconstructed 42nd street bus terminal the Bella Abzug Port Authority?
Yes.
21. What is your legislative remedy to secure the building of low and moderate-income housing around the state?
The most pressing housing issues are negligent landlords, unaffordable rents, and the erosion of tenant protections. I have been fighting to fully fund the Housing Access Voucher Program (HAVP) in the FY2027 budget, protect the tenant safeguards won in 2019, create a Social Housing Development Authority, expand true rent stabilization statewide, and advance TOPA to give tenants the right to stay and build collective ownership. My approach centers tenants and is grounded in deep partnership with housing justice advocates.
22. Will you refuse donations from AIPAC, SolidarityPAC, police and corrections associations, the fossil fuel industry, and the charter school industry?
Yes.
23. Do you support removing criminal penalties for consensual commercial sex work between adults? Also known as Cecilia's Act for Rights in the Sex Trades (S2513 Salazar / A3251 Forrest).
Yes.
24. There is an effort to have mandatory inclusion of the New York State proposal that would require public schools to teach about the January 6, 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol, commonly described in the bill text as an “insurrection.” Do you support this proposal?
Yes.
25. What additional information would you like the Jim Owles Liberal Democratic Club to consider when we are making our endorsement decision?
I have received the Jim Owles Liberal Democratic Club’s support in the past and would be grateful to continue to garner the club’s support.
26. If you receive our endorsement, do you agree to identify the Jim Owles Liberal Democratic Club on all appropriate literature and electronic materials?
Yes!