July 29, 2009

From Albany to the World

New York State Senator Tom Duane rallies his political peers to support the HIV/AIDS community.

At 3 A.M. July 17, New York State Senator Tom Duane (D–Manhattan) gave a riveting, impassioned and, ultimately, effective speech on the floor of the Senate in Albany advocating on behalf of people living with HIV/AIDS.

His aim? To garner the support of his colleagues to support a bill that prevents people who are living with HIV/AIDS and who are receiving public assistance from paying more than 30 percent of their monthly income on rent or housing costs.

Duane is the New York State Senate’s first openly HIV-positive and first openly gay member. A leader in the fight against HIV/AIDS, he works tirelessly to dissolve the stigma and misunderstandings that surround the disease and hinder awareness, education, prevention and treatment efforts.

In a speech that lasted more than 22 minutes, he reminded his colleagues of the countless lives lost to HIV in the late 1980s and 1990s because of government inaction. At the end of his speech, the Democrats and their staffers gave Duane a standing ovation. The Republicans stayed seated.

In the video interview below, POZ editor-in-chief Regan Hofmann talked with Duane in his Manhattan office about the impact of his speech—and the bill, which passed the Senate with a vote of 52–1.

To read the news coverage of his speech and to watch a video of Senator Duane’s words resounding through the chamber, click here.

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Michael Fair, New York, 2009-07-30 09:14:24
Tom Duane has been a pillar of the HIV community for decades. He is a real fighter for us in Albany. I can't imagine where we would be without him. This is all in addition to protecting his district, which includes Chelsea, where I live. Thanks, Tom! Michael Fair