[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 86 (Thursday, June 17, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1308]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 GAY AND LESBIAN DEMOCRATIC CLUB TWENTY-FIVE YEAR FIGHT FOR GAY RIGHTS

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. CAROLYN B. MALONEY

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 17, 1999

  Mrs. MALONEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise to salute the Gay and Lesbian 
Democratic Club, on its twenty-fifth anniversary.
  The Gay and Lesbian Independent Democrats (GLID) began as the Gay 
Independent Democrats five years after the Stonewall demonstrations.
  GLID has played a central role in the fight for gay rights and in the 
election of openly gay candidates. An early leader of GLID. Christopher 
Lynn served as the head of New York's Taxi and Limousine Commission and 
later as NYC Transportation Commissioner. More recently, GLID leaders 
such as Tom Duane and Deborah Glick, two of the first openly gay 
persons elected to office in New York, used GLID as a springboard to 
elected office. In recent years, GLID played pivotal roles in the 
elections of three gay City Council Members. Christine Quinn, Margarita 
Lopez and Phil Reed.
  As fighters for gay rights, GLID has been in the forefront of the 
effort to enact an appropriate domestic partnership bill in New York 
City. At the Federal level, GLID has worked to promote civil rights for 
gays, including efforts to pass the Anti-Hate Crimes Bill. GLID is one 
of the leading organizations fighting anti-gay measures like the 
Defense of Marriage Act and the Religious Liberties Freedom Act.
  As part of their celebration GLID will honor three outstanding gay 
leaders in the city and state of New York. Two of these honorees. Tim 
Gay and Harry Wieder are long time members of GLID. Through their work 
with GLID, they have helped to reach out and mobilize gays and lesbians 
to elect progressive candidates. They have manned the barricades to 
protest injustices like the murder of Mathew Shepherd and 
discrimination in the military.
  Tim Gay is a long time district leader in the Chelsea area of New 
York City, Tim Gay's diligence in fighting to improve the quality of 
life for his constituents has greatly contributed to the revitalization 
of Chelsea.
  Harry Wieder in addition to his activities as a gay activist, has 
served as a leading advocate for the physically and mentally disabled. 
As a founder and board member of the 504 Democratic Club (named for a 
key provision in the Rehabilitation Act of 1973), Harry Wieder has 
fought tirelessly for the disabled and the reform of our health care 
system.
  Barbara Kavanaugh was one of the first openly lesbian officeholders 
in New York State. A true trailblazer, Barbara was elected to the 
Buffalo City Council as an openly gay candidate. She currently serves 
as the Assistant Attorney General for Buffalo and has been active in 
the National Stonewall Democratic Federation.
  I salute GLID for leading the fight to ensure full rights for gays 
and lesbians. This battle may take another twenty-five years, but with 
the strong efforts of GLID and others we can succeed.

                          ____________________