Defending marriage equality in Queens

NEW YORK--About 100 activists, many of them from the LGBT Equality Coalition of Queens, marched on December 12 from Junction Boulevard and Roosevelt Avenue to rally under the windows of New York State Sen. Hiram Monserrate's office in Jackson Heights.

Protesters gave voice to a growing opposition against Monserrate, who voted on December 2 to reject a bill that would have granted same-sex couple the right to marry under New York state law.

Monserrate, a former police officer and New York City councilman, has come under fire recently due to his stance against marriage equality. The troubled senator is also under public scrutiny after he was sentenced to three years of probation and 250 hours of community service for "recklessly causing physical injury to his companion by dragging her through the lobby of his Queens apartment building."

Activists chanted, "Hiram, fire 'em!" The blatant hypocrisy of a public official who votes to deny citizens their equal rights while physically assaulting his partner has outraged New Yorkers and especially the LGBT community in Queens.

Among those to speak at the rally in front of Monserrate's office was Jose Peralta, assemblyman of the 39th District in Queens. Peralta released a statement on December 4 expressing his disappointment at the 38-24 Senate decision to reject the bill.

Other speakers at the rally included New York City Council candidate Danny Dromm, and Sarah Wolf and Diana Lalsakuy of the International Socialist Organization, who voiced their commitment to building the marriage equality movement, and ensuring that Monserrate doesn't remain in office.

The LGBT Equality Coalition of Queens was formed after the National Equality March in Washington, D.C., in October and was responsible for organizing the protest.