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Press Contact: George Simpson, gsimpson@prideagenda.

org, (212) 627-0305, cell (323) 793-2072

Empire State Pride Agenda Releases Latest Round of


Endorsements for 2010 Primary and General Elections

New York, NY, August 23, 2010 – The Empire State Pride Agenda, New York’s statewide lesbian, gay,
bisexual and transgender (LGBT) political advocacy organization, today announced a third round of
endorsements for the 2010 primary and general elections.

The Pride Agenda announced five new endorsements, including one candidate for the State Assembly
and four in races that may determine control of the State Senate next year:

New York State Senate

Primary Election –
SD 31 (Upper Manhattan and Bronx) – Adriano Espaillat (D), Open
SD 18 (Brooklyn) – Velmanette Montgomery (D), Incumbent

General Election –
SD 22 (Brooklyn) – Michael DiSanto (D), Challenger
SD 38 (Orange and Rockland Counties) – David Carlucci (D), Open

New York State Assembly

General Election –
AD 1 (Suffolk County) – Fred Thiele (I), Incumbent

The Pride Agenda’s Political Action Committee votes on endorsements with the input of Pride Agenda
staff based on: responses to the Pride Agenda candidate questionnaire; an examination of a
candidate's voting record (for those who have previously held elected office) and the voting record of
their opponent; a review of his or her public acts and statements; and, consultations with other
organizations throughout New York State, including local LGBT organizations. Non-incumbents are
evaluated based upon the criteria above as well as the viability of their campaigns.

In its candidate questionnaire, the Pride Agenda asks statewide candidates for their responses on
issues such as marriage equality for same-sex couples, ending legal discrimination against
transgender New Yorkers, increasing funding for LGBT health and human services providers, as well
as broader topics involving social, racial and economic justice.

The full candidate questionnaire can be reviewed on the Pride Agenda’s website at:
http://prideagenda.org/Portals/0/campaigns/Pride%20Agenda%20State%20Legislative
%20Candidate%20Questionnaire-2010.pdf

MORE________
In addition to being announced in the media, the Pride Agenda’s political endorsements are the
subject of Action Alerts which are disseminated to thousands of Pride Agenda supporters and their
families statewide, and included in the Pride Agenda’s online Election Center and 2010 Voter Guide
that encourages LGBT fundraising, volunteering and field activities.

A first round 20 Assembly and Senate endorsements was announced July 13, followed by a second
round on August 3 including 34 new endorsements, and the August 5 of endorsement of Eric
Schneiderman for Attorney General. All endorsements are listed at the Pride Agenda’s Election
Center at www.prideagenda.org.

* * * *
Founded in 1990, the Empire State Pride Agenda, Inc. (“Pride Agenda”) is New York's
statewide political advocacy organization committed to achieving equality and justice for
lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) New Yorkers and our families. In addition to
our work building coalitions, mobilizing allies and organizing and empowering the LGBT
community, the Pride Agenda engages in legislative and governmental lobbying and
administers a Political Action Committee registered with New York State.

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