Staten Island Assemblyman's Partner Not Free to Be

Staten Island's newly-elected assemblyman Matthew Titone told the New York Post that he doesn't plan on being a "one-issue lawmaker". In other words, he doesn't want the fact that he's openly gay to make people think that's why he's in office. In fact, he says, those who elected him can see beyond that: "People realize I'm not that two-dimensional. I have passionate concerns that are relevant to all people...People on Staten Island vote conservative, but that doesn't mean they are prejudiced or biased. It's not an issue."

Except for, perhaps, some in the construction industry. Titone's partner of 10 years is a construction worker who has come out to friends and family, but not on the job, for fear of not getting any assignments. Said Titone: "It's a hard balancing act. In that field there is prejudice, bias - ignorance, really."

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Staten Island Elects Matthew Titone, 1st Openly Gay Lawmaker

Staten Island Elects Matthew Titone, 1st Openly Gay Lawmaker

In a special election held yesterday, Matthew Titone became the first openly gay official elected from the New York City borough of Staten Island, and the fourth in the New York State legislature. He was running against two other candidates, and the NYT reports that, however the election had prevailed, there would have been a "first" involved:

"The Staten Island race in the 61st Assembly District drew a great deal of attention because of Mr. Titone and his two rivals. The Independence Party candidate, Kelvin Alexander, would have been the borough’s first black assemblyman had he prevailed. And Rose Margarella, the Republican candidate, would have been the first of her party to be elected from this heavily Democratic district in recent history. With 100 percent of the votes counted, Mr. Titone received 2,888 votes, Ms. Margarella 1,846 and Mr. Alexander 1,122, according to unofficial figures from the New York City Board of Elections."

Titone is a Democrat. He'll join Deborah Glick and Daniel O'Donnell (both Democrats from Manhattan) along with State Senator Tom Duane.

Jim Smith, a co-founder of Stonewall Staten Island, recalled Titone's coming out at the borough's second annual gay parade in June 2006, when Titone, then a candidate for state senate, said: "My name is Matthew Titone. I'm proud to be a Democrat from Staten Island, and I also happen to be gay."

Smith remembered: "It was a moment that I won't forget. It was a tremendous moment for me and for the gay community. It was pouring rain. Suddenly the rain didn't matter. This couldn't have happened in the 1980s. Society on Staten Island wasn't conditioned to it. When you were gay on Staten Island, you grew up in fear."

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You know what they say about bullies who need to express their masculinity by taking it out on gays. Well, David Eisler of Staten Island, New York may be a textbook case.

The New York Post reports that last weekend he cut a line at McDonald's at the Staten Island Mall to demand a McFlurry, and when he was told they were out of ice cream he began unleashing a tirade of slurs at employee Melvin Miles.

Said Eisler: "I am homophobic! I hate faggots! McDonald's shouldn't hire faggots!"

The young bigot returned two hours later to cause more trouble: "I don't want a cheeseburger from some faggot. I don't know why McDonald's would hire a f- - -ing faggot. Who wants a f- - - ing gay guy touching their food?"

Like a big man, Eisler allegedly refused to leave unless Miles fought him. Eisler later threatened the police, who reportedly charged him with "hate crimes, aggravated harassment and attempted assault" and released him without bail.

Anti-Gay Mac Attack at Mall [ny post] (via gawker)