Nassau NY
6-23-2026 10:24pm

Democrats Condemn Blakeman for Campaigning With Anti‑LGBTQ+ Lawmakers

Democrats Condemn Blakeman for Campaigning With Anti‑LGBTQ+ Lawmakers

By Samantha Vogel, Editor – Long Island Daily News

Democratic lawmakers and LGBTQ+ advocates gathered in Greenwich Village this week to sharply criticize Republican gubernatorial candidate and Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman, accusing him of aligning himself with national political figures who have taken openly anti‑LGBTQ+ positions. The press conference, held June 22 at Manhattan’s LGBTQ Community Center near the Stonewall National Monument, came as Pride Month draws to a close. amny.com

The group of speakers included former New York City Council Speaker Christine Quinn, Congressman Ritchie Torres, Assemblymember Deborah Glick, Councilmember Carl Wilson, and Stonewall Democrats President John Wahlmeier. Together, they argued that Blakeman’s campaign appearances with far‑right lawmakers signal a troubling direction for New York’s LGBTQ+ community if he were to become governor. amny.com

Critics Say Blakeman Is Embracing “Politics of Hate”

Torres accused Blakeman of repeatedly associating with politicians who have pushed to roll back LGBTQ+ rights, calling it part of a broader pattern of “embracing the politics of hate.” Speakers pointed to Blakeman’s campaign events with figures such as Tennessee Congressman Andy Ogles—who has publicly opposed same‑sex marriage—and Florida’s Ron DeSantis, known for signing legislation restricting classroom discussions of sexual orientation and gender identity. amny.com

Quinn warned that New York, home to the modern LGBTQ civil rights movement, cannot afford a governor who aligns himself with national leaders seeking to undo decades of progress. She described Blakeman’s alliances as “antiquated” and out of step with the state’s values. amny.com

Blakeman Defends His Record

Blakeman did not directly address the criticisms raised at the event, but issued a written statement saying he intends to represent all New Yorkers and would not seek to change state laws recognizing same‑sex marriage. He emphasized that he opposes bullying of LGBTQ+ youth and said his goal as governor would be to protect residents of all backgrounds. amny.com

Still, Democrats at the press conference argued that Blakeman’s public alliances tell a different story. They noted his support from the Long Island Loud Majority—designated by the Southern Poverty Law Center as an extremist group—and his willingness to campaign with lawmakers who have proposed banning Pride flags from government buildings or restricting LGBTQ+ visibility in schools. amny.com

Advocates Warn of National Backslide

Speakers stressed that LGBTQ+ rights remain vulnerable nationwide, pointing to ongoing efforts to challenge marriage equality and limit transgender participation in sports. Quinn and others argued that with shifting political winds in Washington, state leadership matters more than ever.

“We cannot and will not turn the clock back,” Glick said, urging New Yorkers to remain vigilant as legal protections face renewed scrutiny. Wahlmeier echoed that sentiment, s

aying the community must continue its long tradition of refusing to be pushed aside. amny.com

A Flashpoint in the Governor’s Race

The clash highlights the increasingly sharp contrasts in the 2026 governor’s race, where LGBTQ+ rights have emerged as a defining issue. While Blakeman maintains that he will protect all residents, Democratic leaders argue that his alliances raise serious questions about how he would govern on civil rights matters.

As Pride Month concludes, advocates say the stakes for LGBTQ+ New Yorkers—and for the state’s political future—are only growing.

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