Protecting Homo-sexuals in Albany


By Corruptany, Section Diaries
Posted on Sun May 11, 2008 at 03:25:58 PM EST

I was at the Tulip festival this weekend with my mother who works as a hairdresser. She brought with her one of her coworkers who brought his partner. We got talking and I was amazed to find out that these two men had moved up to Albany from NYC. They cited the urban feel, old architecture while at the same time being small. They also felt that their was a support for Homosexuals and noted that allot of people like them are considering a move to Albany.

I was glad to hear that because I have seen the benefits this often ridiculed group does. Many Homosexuals work in creative sectors, hence they have disposable income to invest in the community. They also tend to be more socially liberal, hence they can effect change. Where I live now, homosexuals are very politically active and have succeeded in getting progressive candidaties into once social conservative seats. They have also been a force in doing away with blight, and being a backbone to other liberal causes like healthcare, education and violence.

One problem though, they have had a number of incidents where they were harassed. When they go out on Lark Street holding hands, they often have drunken jock types yell slurs at them. On one occasion, they woke up to hatefilled grafiti saying "fags go away" on their doorstep. I apologized to them and said that most of Albany is very open minded to their lifestyle. I cited the artistic culture and also have him names of successful business and civic leaders who are gay. They said they didn't mind it, but wanted to know if the city of Albany had a liason to the Homosexual community who works with police to prevent hate crimes.

I was a bit embarrassed because I didn't think Albany did and judging by the politicians and cops I knew, I figured they would be harassed for bringing it up.

So with that said, does Albany have a person in the DA's office or Police Department who serves as a liason to the Gay Community. I think that having one would be a very good ideas since if Albany wants to attract a new generation to this city, they should get with the times. I personally feel that an increase in the homosexual community would do wonders for the city. It would bring a creative force to help beutify the city and also bring in people who would buy and restore blighted buildings.

Anyone know anything about this or people I can refer my mothers friends to.

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Protecting Homo-sexuals in Albany | 7 comments (7 topical, 0 hidden)
A Cultural Shift, Perhaps (none / 0) (#1)
by Dan Van Riper on Tue May 13, 2008 at 03:35:31 PM EST

Fascinating that no one posted to this diary entry, even though it's been up for two days.  Certain topics scare people half to death.

There is indeed a large gay community in Albany, but I have observed that these local gay folk tend to be more reticent about public displays than their counterparts in NYC or San Francisco. I rarely see hand holding on Lark Street, for example. These loud mouthed jocks (almost certainly suburbanites) have probably never had their obnoxious behavior challenged.  

The two guys from the big city are used to public displays of affection, which the local gay folk are too timid to do.  Think of this as a subtle cultural shift, the influence of the big urban center on our glorified cow town.

Expect a resurgence of "gay pride" in Albany in the next few years as more of these southerners make their way up here.

...As an aside, I recall back in my early twenties, passionately  making out with my then girlfriend on a bus in San Francisco, and getting all these dirty looks and snide comments from the mostly gay passengers!

Just say gay ... (none / 0) (#2)
by 1894 on Thu May 15, 2008 at 05:13:22 AM EST
Not a scary topic. Just kind of a yawner, and the repeated use of "homosexual" was a bit strange.

From Wiktionary:

Many people now avoid using the term homosexual because of the emphasis this term places on sexuality. Indeed, the words gay and lesbian, which stress cultural and social matters over sex, are frequently better choices. Homosexual is most objectionable when used as a noun; here "gay man" and either "gay woman" or "lesbian" and their plural forms are called for. It is generally unobjectionable when used adjectivally, as in "a homosexual relationship", although "gay", "lesbian", or "same-sex" are also available for adjectival use.
corrupt, here is what you've been looking for... (none / 0) (#3)
by Jim Travers on Thu May 15, 2008 at 10:26:08 AM EST
The Capitol District Gay & Lesbian Community Council is located at 332 Hudson Avenue in Albany's Center Square neighborhood.

From the CDGLCC website:

"The Capital District Gay and Lesbian Community Council (CDGLCC) is an organization devoted to serving the Capital District's lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered (LGBT) community. Located in Albany, NY, the Council has been serving the Capital District for over thirty years. We provide numerous programs and activities including youth and peer support groups, cultural events, commUNITY (our publication), Capital Pride, The Rainbow Café, as well as workshops and seminars on issues of concern to the community such as health, personal finance and family/legal matters. We are also home to a number of recovery groups that serve the LGBT community.

The Council's mission is simple - to promote the well being of all gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and queer identified people and those affected by discrimination based on gender identity and expression. The Council provides services to over 5,000 people annually.

The Capital District Gay and Lesbian Community Council operates a Community Center located at 332 Hudson Avenue in Albany, New York. The Center is the oldest continually operated Gay and Lesbian Community Center in the United States. The Community Center serves as a focal point of the LGBT community.

The Council is administered by an all volunteer Board of Directors, and a paid staff consisting of an Executive Director, a Program Director and an Administrative Coordinator. The majority of programs and services are carried out by the organization's committees and a strong network of dedicated volunteers."

CDGLCC Website:  http://www.cdglcc.org/

Phone: (518) 462-6138

They also publish a newspaper, commUNITY, which is available online, as is an archive of past issues and articles. In addition to the newspaper they also have a MySpace page:
www.myspace.com/cdglcc

I too, am surprised that no one has offered this to you earlier.

Thank you (none / 0) (#4)
by Corruptany on Thu May 15, 2008 at 01:50:33 PM EST
I will pass it along to them. On that note, what is Albany doing to attract this demographic to the city. I mean the city has the architecture and vibe these types of groups like. I invision many more buying up old properties in town and fixing them up, expanding the arts community and also brininging a sense of culture and proggress here. Its only a matter of time before gay marriage is made legal, I think that would entice gay families looking to live in an open minded city that is small at the same time. I also felt the cops, politicians and local hacks were small minded and hate filled. In college I mentioned this as a way to attract artists and the people at ALDC laughed at it and said we don't want them here.

[ Parent ]
Corrupt-FYI (none / 0) (#5)
by tmonjeau on Thu May 15, 2008 at 02:29:34 PM EST
  In addition to Center Square, the 7th Ward, including Delaware Ave. Neighborhood, Whitehall Ave., Hackett Blvd. corridor also have a significant thriving and active LGBT community for those who want more of a single family home type of environment with yards and etc and a quieter calmer neighborhood, with very friendly and accepting neighbors.

[ Parent ]
Today California's Supreme Court ruled (none / 0) (#6)
by Jim Travers on Thu May 15, 2008 at 03:49:12 PM EST
the ban on same-sex marriages to be unconstitutional.

http://www.examiner.com/x-243-Progressive-Politics-Examiner

Sorry, that link's to a blog. Here's a better one (none / 0) (#7)
by Jim Travers on Thu May 15, 2008 at 04:00:18 PM EST
http://www.examiner.com/a-1393640~California_s_top_court_legalizes_gay_marriage.html

And this from the NY Times:

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/16/us/15cnd-marriage.html?hp

Protecting Homo-sexuals in Albany | 7 comments (7 topical, 0 hidden)
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