ALBANY—First in the mail, then in print, and now on the interweb.
The New York Civil Liberties Union posted a holiday message to State Senator Ruben Diaz Sr. on YouTube, in which LGBTQ people from the Bronx talked about their experiences coming out. The video ends with a message from Assemblywoman Carmen Arroyo, who voted in favor of same-sex marriage equality in 2007.
Diaz has been the subject of pressure because he has said he will not vote for a majority leader of his chamber who supports same-sex marriage. The current conference leader, State Senator Malcolm Smith, does.
Yesterday, Diaz Sr. released an open letter to his constituents in response to the pressure he has received from labor and gay-rights groups attempting to bring him into line.