Monserrate supporters distribute anti-gay flier
Original Article By Ruth Schneider, 365gay.com
03.09.2010
Ousted New York state senator Hiram Monserrate’s supporters’ new campaign ploy is raising the ire of activists across New York City.
Fans of the embattled lawmaker, who was kicked out the Senate last month after being convicted of assaulting his girlfriend, are distributing fliers Queens area churches calling his Democratic rival Assemblyman Jose Peralta a pawn of “mega-rich gay fanatics.”
The flier claims Peralta is the “leading spokesperson for the gay community’s [sic] in N.Y.C.” and added those groups “are dedicated to destroying our way of life and creating same sex marriage.” The flier also referred to Peralta as “the gay caballero.”
In a statement, Peralta, who is a gay rights supporter and is endorsed by several state gay rights group, said “This flier is just another example of how Hiram Monserrate thrives on bullying and hate-mongering,” according to the New York Daily News.
Monserrate was targeted by gay rights groups for his no vote on marriage equality. “With each hate-mongering, fear-rattling, equality-stunting volley, Hiram Monserrate digs another foot down into his political grave, said Valerie Berlin, a spokeswoman for Fight Back New York, told the Daily News.
