Press Release: An Open Letter to Senator Cleare and Assemblymember Gibbs Calling for Immediate Withdrawal of Al Taylor City Council Endorsement

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Allen Roskoff - 917-553-7180, aroskoff@mac.com

Dear Senator Cleare and Assemblymember Gibbs,

The Jim Owles Liberal Democratic Club writes to urge you to withdraw your endorsement of Assemblymember Al Taylor for City Council.

Assemblymember Taylor is anti-LGBTQ and anti-choice.  He has no place in New York State or City government.

Just this June, Assemblymember Taylor was one of two Democrats to vote against the Equality Amendment, which will hopefully create a constitutional ban on discrimination on the basis of “sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, pregnancy outcomes, and reproductive healthcare and autonomy.”  He was personally thanked by the ironically-named, explicitly homophobic and transphobic organization “New Yorkers For Constitutional Freedoms.”  Assemblymember Taylor is one of the last vestiges of unmitigated bigotry in the Democratic caucus.

Furthermore, despite being a pastor authorized to perform weddings, Assemblymember Taylor refuses to marry gay people.  In fact, Assemblymember Taylor’s entire Infinity Mennonite Church refuses to perform same-sex marriages.  If progressives are outraged about bakers discriminating against gay customers, we should be equally outraged about bigoted pastors.

If Assemblymember Taylor’s homophobia and transphobia does not convince you, perhaps his anti-choice behavior will.  As recently as 2019, Assemblymember Taylor voted against the Reproductive Health Act.  Had the legislation failed, abortion would be largely illegal in New York State today.

Democrats across the state and country campaigned on abortion rights.  We rightfully vilified Republicans for their forced birth policies.  But there are Democrats here in New York City who have the same political agenda.  As of now, you are supporting one.

There is no place in the Democratic party for homophobia, transphobia, or the cult of forced birth.  There is also no place for supporters and enablers of these bigots and zealots.  We strongly urge you to withdraw your support for Assemblymember Al Taylor’s campaign for City Council immediately. We anxiously await your reply.

Sincerely,

Allen Roskoff
President
The Jim Owles Liberal Democratic Club

Louis Cholden-Brown
Political Director
The Jim Owles Liberal Democratic Club