The following report was written by Aloysha Sipp, of Brooklyn P-FLAG, who
also went up to Albany for Parents' Lobby Day on May 10th.


    EMPIRE STATE PRIDE AGENDA LOBBY DAY -- 1994


On June 14th, the Empire State Pride Agenda had Lobby Day in
Albany.  About 325 people came.

The goal was passage of s. 1890, the Sexual Orientation
Non-Discrimination Bill.  This would insert the words
"sexual orientation" in our state's civil rights law.  It
would prohibit discrimination in employment, housing,
public accomodations, education and credit.

Last year it didn't pass because the senate Republican
conference did not allow the bill on the floor for a vote.

The aim this year was to urge senators to put the bill
on the floor.  Senator Fred Ohrenstein (D-Manhattan) told
us the bill would pass if voted on.

Senator Nick Spano, Republican from Westchester, came
out for the bill.  He said the parent visits on Parents
Lobby Day convinced two more senators to vote for it.

Empire State Pride Agenda is airing 3 commercials to
promote s. 1890.  All three spots feature parents.  Lester
Davis of the Governor's Task Force on Gay Issues said that
parents have tremendous clout, as most politicians don't
see gays alone as being great in number.

Dick Dadey of the Empire State Pride Agenda mentioned
that last year only ten parents came for Parents Lobby Day,
but this year had seventy-five.  Many present voiced
appreciation for these P-FLAG people.

How does passage look?  After lobbyists reported back,
it seemed so-so.  This is an election year.  The Republican
gubernatorial candidate, George Petaki, was not in his
office.  The group reported his aide did not seem receptive.

Those who lobbied Bay Ridge's Senator DiCarlo (R-SD 23)
spoke with an aide who says DiCarlo maintains his
Constitution-covers-all stance.  He does not fabor the bill.

Those meeting with the senate Majority leader, Ralph
Marino, did not return in time to report to the group.

Empire State Pride Agenda plans a statewide organizing
conference for the weekend of October 22-23.  Kingston is
the tentative site.