Dear Friends,

 I’m speaking up for the guy who has steadfastly been there in Albany , speaking up for me.  Assemblyman Sam Hoyt.

 I want to say first, that this is surely a complicated, often discouraging election season for many of us in the LGBT community.

In some of the races – like the 58th Senate race - it is hard to muster up much enthusiasm for any of the candidates.  But still, I hope everyone will go vote on Tuesday.  Figure out what’s important to you and vote.  Every vote counts, especially in a primary.    And there is always one candidate who will be better than the others, even if by a tiny bit.  Think it through…and pull the lever.

 The good news is that in some of the races this year, we can still pull the lever with deliberation and pride.  Sam Hoyt is head and shoulders above the rest when it comes to representing the WNY LGBT community in the State Assembly.

 Sam has been there for his LGBT friends, family and neighbors forever.    He was there, speaking up for us years ago…when it was only a liability to be our advocate.  We can count on Sam Hoyt to be an unwavering, fierce advocate for LGBT Western New Yorkers. 

 I first met Sam Hoyt many years ago, when I worked on his father’s mayoral campaign.  At the time, Sam worked for Senator Moynihan.

Sam’s Dad, Bill Hoyt was the first local politician EVER to reach out to the gay community to be a visible, integral part of a WNY campaign.

(As we all know, the LGBT liberation story is the story of many  “firsts.” )   

 Sam has followed in his father’s footsteps plus he has taken LGBT advocacy to even greater heights.

Bill Hoyt made a promise to his daughter, Whitney, when he decided to run for mayor of Buffalo , that he would include the gay community, openly, in his campaign.  As many of you know, Sam’s sister, Whitney, is a lesbian.  She lives with her partner in California .  Many of you know too, that when same-sex marriage was legal in California for that brief period before Proposition 8, Sam flew out and married Whitney and her beloved.  He said it was one of the highlights of his life. 

 Sam Hoyt never “strategizes” over how he will or if he will advocate for his LGBT constituents.  He’s always there for us.  He always was.  Long beforeanyone locally would risk the political fall-out of standing up in front of a local crowd to say “I support LGBT civil rights,” Sam was unselfconsciously up on the podium, holding high the rainbow flag.    Sam Hoyt, like his Dad before him – steadfastly supports, defends and eloquently represents us LGBT folks. 

 So please, make sure you get out and vote for Sam Hoyt on Tuesday.  This assembly race is too close to call.  Go vote.

 Sam Hoyt was a voice in the Wilderness, speaking up for marriage equality when it wasn’t even a glimmer of an idea in most state legislators’ minds.  Nowadays candidates have the luxury to check the box on an LGBT political endorsement questionnaire to say “yes” they will vote for marriage equality for all New Yorkers.  Sam stood up for us from the get-go  - from way back…. when there were no boxes to check! … when there was no legislation at all.  Sam was instrumental in getting the marriage equality legislation written! 

 Sam listens to our needs.  And our needs change all the time, too.  So he’s always listening, he’s always ready to address something new. He evolves, as we evolve.  Like recently….he’s writing and sponsoring NY State legislation to mandate sensitivity training for law enforcement on LGBT issues.  That’s something we learned didn’t exist when we went through this past winter of hate crime incidents. Unfortunately, there are still too many police officers ignorant about LGBT issues (and particularly on trans issues.) And, for law enforcement, sensitivity training has to be mandated.  So Sam stepped up to do something about it.  He’s not the guy “checking a box” on a questionnaire saying he’ll support such legislation when it comes up for a vote – he’s the guy leading the charge to write the legislation – he’s the guy working the halls in Albany….building and identifying support among his colleagues to get this legislation passed.

 Sam’s door is always open -  to our community, to our organizations and to us, as individuals. HE’S THERE for us - 100%

 We all know that Albany is dysfunctional and this is a throw-the-bums out election year.  But remember: there are specific state legislators who are truly doing a fine job representing LGBT citizens of New York State .  Like Sam.

 Joe Golombek, Sam Hoyt’s opponent in the primary, does not support marriage equality for LGBT citizens of New York State .  He only supports civil unions. 

That’s unacceptable.   As we all know, civil unions are not equal.  They are like 8 tracks.  They’re obsolete… we don’t want ‘em anymore, they don’t work. Be clear about it: voting for Joe Golombek will set us LGBT citizens back.  We will be farther away from achieving marriage equality if we elect Joe Golombek.

 So I hope all of you will get out there and pull the lever for Sam.  With all the LGBT flair and drama in you, do it!  Vote! 

Voting always feels wonderful to me.  Even if I’m grumbling all the way to the polls, when I fling back the curtain of the voting booth, I feel so empowered,the theme from Rocky should be playing!  I always vote. It never loses its thrill.

 Sam is the best LGBT advocate we could ever have representing WNY in the New York State Assembly.

Please, vote on Tuesday.

Encourage your friends and family and neighbors to vote, too.

 Thanks for listening.

 In friendship and peace,

Carol Speser
Founder, Stonewall Democrats of WNY

Founding board member, Empire State Pride Agenda

Past Commissioner, City of Buffalo , Commission on Citizens’ Rights and Community Relations
 


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