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Lambda Independent Democrats statement on Der Blatt advertisement

Lambda Independent Democrats statement on Der Blatt advertisement

Contact: Alan Fleishman (917) 776-0101 - For Immediate Release - Wednesday September 9, 2009

On August 27, an anonymous advertisement was placed in Der Blatt newspaper, a weekly published in Yiddish. The ad, in support of a candidate in the race for the 39th Council District, implied, using thinly veiled but hate-filled homophobic references, that the candidate was opposed to marriage equality and other LGBT issues. Lambda Independent Democrats finds the ad offensive and divisive.

We were heartened to learn that, on August 31, the candidate sent a letter to Der Blatt asking that it publish a retraction/correction and to deny any connection with his campaign. (http://www.bradlander.com/blog statement- on-unauthorized- der-blatt- ad) A similar ad was reportedly run by another candidate in the same race. This candidate has not denied the ad or denounced such hate speech.

On September 7, City Council Speaker Christine C. Quinn and Empire State Pride Agenda Executive Director Alan Van Capelle issued a press release denouncing homophobia in any election and asking for everyone to acknowledge the request for retraction and acknowledgment that the ad had nothing to do with the candidate's campaign.

Lambda Independent Democrats is a political club whose mission is to advocate for the LGBT community. We urge voters to reject such divisiveness in this race and to focus on the issues that will make a difference in the daily lives of all residents in District 39. We encouage LID members and friends to lend their support to our endorsed candidates, all of whom continue to share and champion our values and reject the hateful sentiments of the ad published in Der Blatt.

LID has endorsed Bob Zuckerman in the race for the 39th District. We strongly believe that he will advance our community's interests and the interests of all New Yorkers as a member of the City Council.

Please vote for LID-endorsed candidate Bob Zuckerman for the 39th Council district in the primary election on September 15.