Here we go again with the Ruben Diaz and the abortion and the Hitler! Remember back in 2005 when the State Senator argued that abortion is "the American Holocaust" and said, "I want to compare Adolf Hitler and the Holocaust to what is happening to abortion in America." No? Well, the Anti-Defamation League does remember, which is why they're not to surprised about Diaz's latest attempt to connect abortion to genocide. Not surprised, but outraged nonetheless. more ›

Yesterday, the Post reported that Bronx Pride, the Bronx's biggest LGBT group, was moving into the Ruben Diaz Sr. Gardens building, a residential-commercial space funded by State Senator Diaz's non-profit and named after him. And given his extremely anti-gay marriage stance, the Post quoted a source who said that Diaz was "furious. It’s such a direct shot at him." But Diaz tells us that's not true—he actually feels "honored" and "blessed" to have the group in the building and is only furious that the Post reporter didn't include anything he told her! more ›

Bronx State Senator Ruben Diaz Jr. has not been shy about his crusade against gay marriage. In fact, he's done everything he can to stop gay marriage from passing in New York and tried to use his lesbian granddaughter as a prop in his anti-gay marriage rally. So we find it wonderfully fitting that the Bronx's largest gay rights group, Bronx Pride, is moving into new offices in a "building funded by, and named after, the city’s No. 1 gay-marriage opponent, state Sen. Ruben Diaz," according to the Post. more ›

Thanks to religious concerns and rent regulations, marriage equality won't in all likelihood be coming to a vote today (and might not happen until Thursday) but the issue is still a hot topic in Albany. Just ask the crowds of supporters and protesters lining up in our state's hallways of power calling out to be heard. And as both sides wait for a vote, former Giant David Tyree continues to be a voice for the opposition, now saying he would give up his Super Bowl win to keep marriage away from those pesky homos. more ›

Instead of shopping for a food processor at Bed Bath & Beyond, you may soon be popping front wheelies and getting air, free from the death cookies of the street in the Bronx's Kingsbridge Armory. After BP Ruben Diaz, Jr., successfully staved off Mayor Bloomberg's proposal to build a shopping mall in the cavernous, castle-looking structure, he commissioned a study from NYU's Wagner school of public service to determine what to do with the building, and one proposal gaining steam is to make it a velodrome. Building developer and former president of the Century Road Club Association tells the Daily News that the location's massive 600' by 300' floor makes it ideal for a BMX course, and a spokesman for Bloomberg said that his office would "listen to all feasible proposals that include private-sector investment and use city funds responsibly." more ›

In one corner, there is the gay and lesbian community, rich Republicans, Mayor Bloomberg, celebrities, and everyone else who believes in equal protection under the law, in support of same-sex marriage legislation in NY. In the opposite corner are the other side of a 50/50 split—those who claim to "hate the sin but not the sinner," like state Senator Ruben Diaz and the National Organization for Marriage. NOM sounds relatively innocuous until you realize that they are a wealthy, opaque organization that is beholden to "hard-core anti-gay extremists" and run patently false advertisements on TV. Both sides are battling for the fate of a gay marriage bill before the Assembly adjourns on June 20. more ›

Shockingly, Pentecostal minister and State Senator Ruben Diaz, Sr., does not like the just-announced renewed push, aided by Governor Cuomo's office, for marriage equality in New York. So naturally, he put out a statement about it. For starters, the timing sucks: "I am deeply offended that during this Holy Week, which is a most sacred time to millions of New Yorkers, Governor Andrew Cuomo is working hard to mobilize elected officials to legalize homosexual marriage in New York." Well, the dude lives in sin, so what does Diaz expect? more ›

State Senator Carl Kruger, who was hit with federal corruption charges last week for allegedly taking over $1 million from lobbyists, developers, and health care consultants in exchange for turning Albany their way, was back in Albany yesterday. He said, "am here to represent the people of my district,... I am here to do my job, and that’s what I’m doing today," and referred to speculation about his relationship with a man he shares a house with (the man's mother and brother also live there), "I am not going to comment neither on the case nor my personal life." more ›

Oh Pedro, if you're not throwing money at protesters, or (allegedly) stiffing your tailor of thousands of dollars, than you're probably complaining about being bullied (while bullying others). We wish we were bringing you good news...but remember that whole mess you got into with the Priest during your highly publicized fruit and vegetable giveaways? Well, it looks like you forgot to report spending any campaign funds on them, and like everything you do, it's made some people very mad. more ›

With criminal charges about to drop on State Senator Pedro Espada, Jr., the head of the state Democratic party wants to oust him from the party! Won't anyone stand up for the man accused of siphoning $14 million from a taxpayer-funded non-profit, among other things? Fear not, Pedro; here's Sen. Ruben Diaz Sr. to the rescue! In a press release, Diaz called the push to oust Espada an example of "selective prosecution of Hispanics." After all, isn't it interesting that out of all the Albany lawmakers are under investigation, the only one being pushed out is Hispanic? It's just like that time the Senate expelled Hiram Monserrate—which had everything to do with his race and nothing to do with that time he cut up his girlfriend's face and dragged her through an apartment lobby. more ›

Last year Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. fought and conquered the building of a mall in the historic Kingsbridge Armory; now—facing a possible bid for citywide office—he has to figure out what to do with the hard-to-fill space. "He's got a big problem," a Bronx elected official told the Post. "No one's been able to do anything with this thing, and now he comes along and stops the only development that seemed to have a chance." more ›

According to Pentecostal minister and state Sen. Ruben Diaz Sr., Gov. Paterson's campaign isn't in trouble because he's unpopular and has no money. Diaz claims that the Governor is in trouble because of gay marriage. "Where is the gay community now that the Governor needs them?" asked Diaz, who did everything he could to defeat same-sex marriage legislation last year. more ›

After hoping and pledging that his same-sex marriage bill would come before state senators before their (official) summer vacation began, now Governor Paterson is backing off and saying that he will delay pushing the bill forward until the Senate returns in September. As the senators prepare to finish up their session Wednesday and Thursday, the new Majority Leader Pedro Espada said, “There was a general consensus that we wouldn’t take on extremely controversial bills in the next week.” A spokesman for Paterson said he would probably call a special legislative session in early September. The governor did some courting on the gay marriage issue while the Senate worked out their issues, even having the bill backed by former Republican Senate Majority Leader Joe Bruno. But strong gay marriage opponent Democrat (and Pentecostal minister) Senator Ruben Diaz said, “We just got unity. Don’t start to un-unify us. Let us have some kind of honeymoon.” A honeymoon with 80% dudes. more ›

In a stunning turn of events, the Republicans appear to have taken back control of the State Senate after two Democratic senators defected and voted to place new leaders in control of the legislative body. Senators Hiram Monserrate and Pedro Espada, Jr., of Queens and the Bronx respectively, joined GOP senators in a 32-30 vote to make Espada temporary president of the Senate and Republican Dean Skelos the new Majority Leader. more ›

Leave it to a gay marriage bill to make it feel like everyone seems to be playing for the wrong team. The Daily News is reporting that Governor Paterson is getting serious about reaching across the aisle and courting Republicans to help pass his bill to legalize same-sex marriage in New York. And who might his ace (or Gary) in the hole be? None other than former Senate Majority Leader Joe Bruno. more ›

With a controversial bill to legalize same-sex unions still waiting in the wings for a Senate vote, Republicans and Democrats in Albany are bickering like an old married couple. Earlier this week, openly-gay Democratic Senator Thomas Duane—the bill's prime sponsor—predicted he had enough votes to pass the measure, but a survey of all State Senators contradicted that assertion. And yesterday Bronx Senator Ruben Diaz, Sr., who opposes the bill, blasted Duane's loose talk: "If Senator Tom Duane has the necessary Senate votes to pass the homosexual marriage bill in New York State, then he should release the names of those Senators who are supporting the bill. If not, he should shut up." more ›

Governor Paterson held a press conference today introducing legislation to legalize gay marriage in New York. The governor was not the least bit tepid in his strong support of the issue, saying he has been on record as an advocate for same-sex marriage since 1994. The state's first black governor drew a strong connection between the fight for marital rights and the abolition movement, citing the names of Harriet Beecher Stowe and Frederick Douglass. Paterson said: more ›

Last week, City Council Speaker Christine Quinn issued a letter to President-elect Obama's inauguration committee to express her dismay over the selection of Rick Warren as pastor. Quinn, who is openly gay, wrote, "Yet what is so offensive here is not the mere selection of a religious leader who is opposed to same-sex marriage. It is the selection of a man who has used his position to try to deny others their civil rights, and to create huge divisions among Americans." On the other hand, State Senator Ruben Diaz Sr., a Democrat and a Pentecostal minister who opposes discussing gay marriage in the next legislative year, thinks Warren's invitation is important, "The Democratic Party should not be a party of only two issues: Abortion and homosexual marriage. Everybody should be accepted: Orthodox Jews, Evangelical Christians, Catholics, Muslims, and those with religious beliefs that oppose abortion and homosexual marriage. YES WE CAN!" more ›

After weeks of hold outs preventing the fate of the State Senate leadership to be announced, the parties have agreed to a Solomonic deal: The NY Times explains that Malcolm Smith, the former Senate minority leader, "would be elected president pro tempore, a constitutional office that makes him the chamber’s leader," while Senator-elect Ruben Espada Jr. "would be elected to what would be the subordinate post of majority leader and appointed vice chairman of the Rules Committee, which must approve all legislation that goes through the Senate." This is based on a handshake deal from Smith, Espada, Senator Ruben Diaz, and Senator Carl Kruger (the latter two also get big roles)--and it still needs to be approved. And rumor has it that the deal was reached partly because Smith agreed he wouldn't bring up same-sex marriage during the next session. more ›

Democrats now in the majority of the state senate for the first time in over forty years appear to be preparing to stall on voting to legalize gay marriage, a big issue that helped push them over the top this election year. Several factors appear to be giving Democrats hesitation: the strong wave that came out against gay marriage in the Prop 8 battle in California, fear of the issue backfiring on Governor Paterson's reelection chances in 2010 and the hopes to appease Gang of Three leader Ruben Diaz who has said he will not support a majority leader who would allow a same-sex marriage vote come to floor. Naturally that leaves many pushing for legalization ASAP upset after all the money poured into Democratic senate campaigns from gay rights groups around the country and the mobilization on their side amidst the Prop 8 battle. Liz Krueger, a senator from the Upper East Side told the Times, “We want to get there, but we want to get there the right way or else we risk setting ourselves back another decade." more ›