Dems blast Blakeman associations with anti-LGBTQ+ legislators

Democratic legislators in Greenwich Village joined to protest what they called Republican gubernatorial candidate Bruce Blakeman’s association with often openly anti-LGBTQ legislators.

Twice-elected Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman, the Republican candidate for governor, has aligned himself with Donald Trump and the MAGA movement on many issues. 

Blakeman came under fire at this press conference by Democrats for campaigning with and welcoming legislators whose comments oppose same sex marriage and gay rights.

They spoke June 22 at the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Community Center, in an area that’s surrounded by Pride flags, near the Stonewall National Monument, toward the end of Pride Month.

Congressman Ritchie Torres, Assemblymember Deborah Glick, Councilmember Carl Wilson, Former New York City Council Speaker and New York State Democratic Committee Executive Committee Chair Christine Quinn and Stonewall Democrats President John Wahlmeier spoke.

“We can take nothing for granted,” Torres said. “Bruce Blakeman has a pattern of embracing the politics of hate. He associates with some of the most hateful figures in American politics.”

Gay and lesbian legislators said Blakeman has spoken and campaigned with legislators who took positions that would limit gay and lesbian rights.

“Right now is a time when our community is under attack,” said former City Council Speaker Christine Quinn. “To have the governor of the state that birthed this modern LGBTQ Civil Rights movement be 100 percent MAGA and a friend of the top ten homophobes in this country would be a travesty.” [caption id="attachment_137855508" align="aligncenter" width="900"] Former City Council Speaker Christine QuinnPhoto by Claude Solnik[/caption]

Councilmember Deborah Glick, the first openly LGBTQ member of the State legislature, portrayed Blakeman as out of tune with New York and today.

“We’re proud because we stand together as a diverse community,” she said. “We cannot and will not turn the clock back with someone who has antiquated ideas of what society should look like.”

City Councilman Carl Wilson, who represents the district including Stonewall, called out Blakeman for campaigning with numerous people whose views he described as hostile to LGBTQ residents.

“We have to stand and call out politicians that are not allies of our community,” Wilson said. “Mr. Blakeman didn’t have to share the stage with any of those politicians. He chose to do so.”

Blakeman didn’t comment on others’ opinions, but in a written statement said he is seeking to represent all state residents.

“As Governor, my job is to protect people of every race, religion, ethnic group and of all lifestyles and genders,” Blakeman said. “That is an oath I hold sacred.”

As Nassau County Executive, Blakeman was re-elected in 2025 by 12 points in a Democrat-leaning county.

Democrats at the event, however, said he has campaigned alongside legislators such as Tennessee GOP Congressman Andy Ogles.

Ogles in 2022, after Roe v. Wade was overturned, said: “The next thing we need to do is go after gay marriage.”

A Tweet on Ogles’s account earlier this month said, “Homosexuality has no place in America,” although he deleted it and blamed a staffer.

Blakeman campaigned in May with Ron DeSantis, who signed a Florida law sometimes called “Don’t Say Gay,” which bans discussions of sexual orientation in public schools.

And he campaigned with GOP Congressman Randy Fine who introduced legislation that would ban Pride flags from government buildings. [caption id="attachment_137855510" align="aligncenter" width="900"] Stonewall Democrats President John WahlmeierPhoto by Claude Solnik[/caption]

He has also campaigned with and been supported by the Long Island Loud Majority, which The Southern Poverty Law Center designated an anti-government extremist group, related to anti-LGBTQ activity.

“Bruce Blakeman is a candidate who has never supported the LGBTQ community,” Quinn said.

Gov. Kathy Hochul campaign spokesperson Sarafina Chitika, through a written statement, said Blakeman would rather “fan the flames of bigotry, hatred, and straight up homophobia than stand up to Trump and MAGA.”

Many at the conference said attitudes toward LGBTQ rights are more crucial than ever, amid efforts to repeal same sex marriage and other rights.

“For years, New York law has recognized same-sex marriage,” Blakeman said, “and as Governor I would do nothing to change that law.”

Quinn said Blakeman identifies with the MAGA movement, where many support rolling back marriage equality and LGBTQ protections.

She also cited his welcoming of the endorsement of the Conservative Party, which opposed the Equality Act of 2024

That, if passed, would expand the Civil Rights Act to include the LGBTQ community, including discrimination in employment, housing, public accommodations and services.  [caption id="attachment_137855511" align="aligncenter" width="1200"] Photo by Claude Solnik[/caption]

“We have a Supreme Court that could strike down laws that we think are secure,” Torres said. “We need a governor who will respond and protect the rights of New Yorkers, particularly the LGBTQ community.”

Blakeman opposes transgender individuals from participating in female sports, noting he was joined by Caitlyn Jenner at a press conference regarding that.

“Caitlyn Jenner is the most well-known transgender individual in the world and is fully aware for my positions on transgender issues,” Blakeman said. “There is no reason for biological males to compete in girls’ sports. Caitlyn came to Nassau County to publicly support my position.”

Quinn said the nation is “seeing transgender rights stripped away” amid a “push toward conversion therapy.”

“With Trump in the White House and Congress and the Senate being the way it is, we could lose rights overnight,” she said. “The Supreme Court is not a supportive place for the LGBTQ community. Neither is Congress or the Senate.”

Others said it’s important to have people who advocate for LGBTQ rights at a time when they could easily be chipped away.

“We need folks that are going to stand up and push back and fight back for all of us,” Wilson said.

Among other protections, Blakeman said bullying of LGBTQ children should not be permitted. “I will never tolerate bullying of any child, including those who may be gay,” he said.

Those at the press conference said beyond Blakeman, it’s important to support LGBTQ rights.

“New York’s story has always been one of people refusing to disappear,” Stonewall Democrats President John Wahlmeier said. “This morning, we continue that tradition together.”