GOP Senator Raises Hopes in Appearance at NY LGBT Fundraiser
An appearance by James Alesi at a Rochester fundraiser for the Empire State Pride Agenda has folks talking. Alesi is a Republican senator who voted "no" the last time a marriage equality bill was presented in the New York legislature.
The Empire State Pride Agenda dinner in Rochester was called to rally support for the gay-marriage bill, which has already cleared the Democrat-controlled Assembly and will likely be voted on next month in the Republican-controlled Senate, where it was defeated in 2009.
"Having Alesi there was seen as an important development since the dinner was all about marriage equality," a prominent Democrat and gay-rights activist told The Post, noting that the Rochester Republican has long opposed gay marriage.
"While he didn't speak, Alesi was mentioned a couple of times from the stage, and with about 700 people there, there was a good deal of buzz about it."
A second source called Alesi's presence "a big development" in the gay-marriage fight.
Alesi was one of 38 Senators who killed the bill when it came up in 2009. Alesi's vote is important since lawmakers vote alphabetically and it would send a signal down the line (as it did, negatively, in 2009) indicating where the vote is going.
Alesi did not give any indication how he would be voting this time around.
Watch Alesi's vote in 2009 (described as "agonized"), AFTER THE JUMP...
He wants our money and will mouth every lie in the book to get it.
Posted by: David Ehrenstein | May 23, 2011 11:23:10 AM
Wherever there's a free meal, the GOP will be there. When it comes to supporting equality for gay men and women, we can forget about it.
Of course, it isn't like Obama would support it either.
Posted by: Roscoe | May 23, 2011 11:38:45 AM
Not to look a gift horse too deeply in the mouth, but Alesi is a Grade-A sleazebag. This is the guy who *broke into* a newly-built home, broke his leg while doing so (climbed through a basement window) and after the homeowners very graciously declined to have him charged with trespassing or B&E, he waited until the last day before the statute of limitations was up and SUED them for injuries he suffered on their property.
http://www.13wham.com/news/local/story/Senator-Alesi-Sues-Couple-that-Declined-to-Press/LCflMQQFr0qttwDf_dAapw.cspx
Posted by: NaughtyLola | May 23, 2011 11:41:13 AM