Dromm Demands Paid Sick Days for NYC Workers

At a press conference on Thursday on the steps of City Hall, Dromm and other Council Members demanded paid sick days for New York City workers.

Queens Chronicle: Dromm Speaks Out Against Monserrate And Hate

From Queens Chronicle: By Elizabeth Daley

Former Sen. Hiram Monserrate chose to make gay marriage the focus of a re-election rally Monday, but community members said he should have focused on issues that actually distressed them.

“There are so many issues in our community other than this,” said Jackson Heights resident, Luis Garcia.

Monserrate gathered with clergymen outside the Jackson Heights office of his challenger, Jose Peralta (D-Jackson Heights). The clergymen flanked him like a choir lined up to sing his praises, but when it came time to speak, most spoke out against Fight Back New York, a group they labeled “rich gay outsiders.”

“I have seen a generation of children sunk down by the gay community,” said the Rev. Ricardo Reyes of El Elyon Christian Center in Corona. Reyes claimed to have become familiar with gay people after working as an actor. “It’s a problem of the spirit,” he said, regarding homosexuality.

Fight Back New York ran ads critical of Monserrate due to his vote against gay marriage. While funding for the group may not come exclusively from Queens, Councilman Daniel Dromm (D-Jackson Heights) said the organization does represent the views and values of the district in which Monserrate is seeking office. “Jackson Heights holds the second largest gay pride parade outside the borough of Manhattan. We are a multicultural and multi-ethnic community and we do not support hate,” Dromm said.

According to Dromm, part of the reason members of the gay community were so upset with Monserrate was because he initially said he would support equal rights for gays and lesbians, but then backed down when it came time to vote on marriage rights.

Dromm, who is himself gay, said the clergymen who supported Monserrate were “cloaking their hatred behind religious biggotry.”

“Are these ministers then saying that it is OK for him to beat his girlfriend, but we can’t marry if we are two loving gay people?”

Garcia, a life-long Republican who has lived in Jackson Heights for over 40 years, said he plans to support Monserrate in the upcoming election. “It’s what they did to the constitution, to not give the community a say. Who do they think they are? Do they think we are stupid?”

But, “he’s doomed,” Garcia added, looking at Monserrate peering out from behind the crowd of clergymen he was allegedly standing up for.

Monserrate’s fate is still up in the air. So far, only the special election scheduled for March 16 will determine exactly who has the right to sit as senator of the 13th District.

“Hiram is popular and we can’t take anything for granted,” Dromm said. “There is power in name recognition.” As the rally progressed, a middle-aged woman carrying shopping bags walked by: “Is that the guy that dragged the woman around on the floor?” she exclaimed, “Oh my God, I don’t believe it.”

Monserrate is the first New York senator to be expelled from office in more than 200 years. The state constitution, amended in 1821, neither grants nor denies legislature the right to purge members. Monserrate is currently awaiting judgment on a federal appeal filed against the Senate’s decision to oust him in February after he was convicted of a misdemenor assault. The case is set to be heard on March 12, and could alter conditions for this special election.

The race for the Senate seat is presumed to be largely between Monserrate and Peralta (D-Jackson Heights). Peralta voted in favor of gay marriage and is currently on the Democratic ticket. Robert Beltrani will be running on the Republican ticket.

Irish Echo: Dromm, Lanning, to lead Queens parade

From Irish Echo: By Irish Echo Staff

Recently elected New York City Council member Daniel Dromm, and community organizer Mary Lanning, are grand marshals for the annual Inclusive St. Patrick's Parade in Queens this Sunday, March 7. Mayor Michael Bloomberg and City Council Speaker Christine Quinn are also expected to march.

The parade, also known as the "St Pat's For All" parade, begins at 43rd Street and Skillman Ave. in Sunnyside and ends at 61st St. in Woodside.

"Our St. Pat's for All 2010 is a generous coming together of businesses, communities and musicians who for a few hours turn the streets of Sunnyside and Woodside into an Ireland of the welcomes," said parade organizer Brendan Fay.

Dromm, he said "is the New York City Council's only openly gay Spanish-speaking Irish American."

New groups in this year's parade include members of the Chilean community who will use the event to raise awareness of their country's recent earthquake and tsunami tragedies. Also in focus will be Irish patriot Roger Casement for his humanitarian work in Africa and South America.

El Diario: Dromm Promete Ayudar a Niños Inmigrantes

From El Diario: By Editorial

Un proyecto de ley de un concejal de la Ciudad de Nueva York, promete ayudar a niños que califiquen a ajustar su estatus migratorio. Pero por mucho que esta sea una medida bienvenida para que chicos que no pueden reunirse con sus familias, también pone de manifiesto el fracaso evidente del Congreso para responder a millones de jóvenes indefensos.

La semana pasada, el Concejo de la Ciudad presentó un proyecto de ley para proteger a jóvenes inmigrantes que califiquen para el Estatus Especial de Joven Inmigrante (SIJS por sus siglas en inglés). Bajo el SIJS, jóvenes indocumentados que se encuentren bajo cuidado de crianza y que cumplan con ciertos requisitos pueden convertirse en residentes permanentes.

El proyecto de ley, patrocinado por el concejal de Queens, Daniel Dromm, prevé la creación de una unidad especial que determinará la forma de identificar sistemáticamente a los chicos bajo custodia de la ciudad que califican para el SIJS tan pronto como sea posible. Esta unidad se SIJS pone en contacto a los chicos con servicios a los que ellos pueden calificar. Esto puede incluir SIJS, estatus de protección temporal u otras disposiciones especiales de inmigración.

La identificación oportuna de niños que califiquen es importante. Para empezar, están los procesos de evaluación y de solicitud. Las solicitudes de SIJS son particularmente importantes para los jóvenes indocumentados que están a punto de llegar a la mayoría de edad, por ende obligados a dejar los hogares de crianza. Si no hay un mecanismo sólido para ayudarlos, una vez alcancen la mayoría de edad ellos quedan a su suerte. Esto afecta su capacidad para trabajar, ir a la escuela y permanecer en los Estados Unidos.

La ciudad, por medio del Servicio de Administración de Servicios para Menores (ACS por sus siglas en inglés) y el Departamento de Desarrollo Juvenil y Comunitario, toma medidas importantes para ayudar a los niños que califiquen al SIJS. ACS calcula que unos 50 a 60 jóvenes reciben cuidado de crianza de SIJS anualmente.

Pero el Concejo tiene razón en subrayar la necesidad de tener un enfoque sistemático para garantizar que los chicos no se pierdan en la burocracia. Una audiencia que se realizará el mes próximo sobre esta legislación debe ajustar otras áreas de preocupación, como los temas de privacidad y de cómo la unidad SIJS operaría con una concentración pendiente de ACS y el Departamento de Justicia de Menores.

Mientras que la Ciudad de Nueva York toma acción para proteger a algunos de sus menores más indefensos, hay en Washington una actitud diferente estos mismos niños.

Desde ya hace años, dos piezas de la legislación federal se han quedado estancadas en el proceso legislativo. La Ley DREAM le permitiría a algunos indocumentados graduados de escuelas secundarias legalizar su situación después de cumplir con los requisitos estrictos que exige ese proyecto de ley. La Ley de Protección a Niños Ciudadanos le permitiría que los jueces de inmigración estudiar el efecto que puede tener que separen y deporten a padres de niños nacidos ciudadanos de los Estados Unidos, antes de ordenar la deportación.

El Congreso tiene más magnánimo y actuar por sobre la implacable lucha antiinmigrante de la oposición y darle un apoyo decido a estos niños y jóvenes. Si no, nuestros representantes y senadores pueden tomar crédito por dejar a estos chicos sin padres o cerrarles las puertas en las narices.

Dromm Sponsors Legislation to Assist Immigrant Children in Foster Care

EDGE: Dromm Hopes to Make a Difference as New Gay City Council Member

From EDGE: By Michael K. Lavers

To describe the last few weeks as a whirlwind for New York’s two new gay City Councilmembers is a gross understatement. Inaugurals, new committee chairmanships, press conferences and a trip to Puerto Rico to meet with the family of a murdered gay teenager have certainly kept Jimmy Van Bramer [D-Sunnyside] and Danny Dromm [D-Jackson Heights] quite busy. Both men, however, remain all too quick to point out how much they love their new job.

"It’s been a great experience," Dromm, a former public school teacher who had taught in Queens for more than 20 years, told EDGE. "I love teaching, but this is a wonderful, wonderful job to have."

Dromm and Van Bramer are the newest members of what many affectionately dub the City Council’s "gay and lesbian caucus." Councilmember Rosie Mendez [D-Lower East Side] and Speaker Christine Quinn [D-Chelsea] round it out, and Melissa Mark-Viverito and others have periodically proclaimed themselves honorary members. Both men maintain their election will allow them to use what they categorized as the Council’s bully pulpit to push for marriage for same-sex couples and other LGBT-specific issues.

"There will be opportunities for us to stand up as a unit and express our feelings and express our power-as we did with Jorge Steven López Mercado," Van Bramer said to EDGE earlier this week.

Dromm, who chairs the Council’s Immigration Committee, agreed.

"I’m a strong believer of when people get to know each other, it’s very hard to discriminate against each other," he said. "As legislators, we can bring that home to our colleagues because we’re openly gay."

Dromm added his and Van Bramer’s election broke a glass ceiling, but the question remains: Will they, Mendez and Quinn have any collective power to further advance an LGBT legislative agenda at the city and state levels?

Kenneth Sherrill, a political science professor at Hunter College, became the city’s first openly gay elected official with his election as a Democratic district leader in 1977. He told EDGE gay and lesbian Councilmembers could prove pivotal during the upcoming city and state budget process. They could prove decisive in shaping the discourse over funding for HIV/AIDS services and the city’s Human Rights Commission and the implementation of safer-school programs.

"I would look for members of the state legislature and members of the City Council to mobilize to protect the community from what could be dangerous retrenchment," Sherrill said.

He conceded it is more difficult to determine whether a stronger LGBT legislative presence in Albany, which already includes state Sen. Tom Duane [D-Manhattan] and state Assemblymembers Deborah Glick [D-Manhattan,] Micah Kellner [D-Manhattan,] Danny O’Donnell [D-Manhattan] and Matt Titone [D-Staten Island,] could have secured passage of the marriage bill in the state Senate late last year. Sherrill added, however, their presence inevitably keeps an LGBT-specific agenda on the table.

"You can prevent them from forgetting about the issue," he said.

Pauline Park, co-president of the Out People of Color Political Action Committee and a long-time transgender activist, acknowledged the importance of LGBT people in office. As a long-time critic of Quinn, however, she argued their presence alone does not necessarily translate into progress for LGBT New Yorkers.

"Just because someone is openly LGBT or queer, that doesn’t mean there’s any guarantee they will support a progressive political agenda as an elected official-or an LGBT-inclusive agenda," Park said.

She further questioned whether LGBT Councilmembers actually have any tangible influence in Albany, and even in the five boroughs themselves.

"Holding press conferences doesn’t move legislation," Park added.

Both Dromm and Van Bramer remain optimistic they and their colleagues on the City Council and Albany will be able to advance an LGBT agenda.

"We’re going to be saying to our colleagues; this is important to us and we need you on board," Dromm said.

Dromm Pushes For More Inclusion in FDNY

On Wednesday, Councilman Daniel Dromm joined other Council Members in expressing outrage that the Department of Citywide Administrative Services continues to use entrances examinations that put Black and Latino candidates for New York City Fire Department jobs at a disadvantage in entering the service.

NY1 Noticias: Daniel Dromm en Pura Política

NY1: Dromm Elected Immigration Chair

Dromm Elected Chair of Immigration Committee

Jackson Heights, NY, January 25, 2009 -- Council Member Daniel Dromm has been elected by the New York City Council to serve as the Chair of the Immigration Committee. Dromm, an openly gay former public school teacher, has been actively involved in civil rights and community organizing for over two decades. On November 3rd, 2009, Dromm was overwhelmingly elected to serve the 25th District, which has the highest percentage of foreign-born residents (encompassing parts of Jackson Heights , Elmhurst , LeFrak City , Corona , Rego Park, and Woodside).

At a press conference held in Jackson Heights with immigration advocates and community leaders, Council Member Dromm declared, “It doesn’t matter where you come from or how you got here. What matters is where we are going together”.

Council Member Dromm continued, “As committee chairperson, I look forward to addressing the wide array of issues that our immigrants face when they come here. In the City Council, I represent what is perhaps the most diverse, immigrant rich community in the city, if not the world. It is indeed an honor to chair this committee and I thank Speaker Quinn and my colleagues for supporting me in this effort." Dromm, who has Irish roots and speaks Spanish fluently, explained, "What immigrants want is what all New Yorkers want -- the right to pursue happiness and freedom in our great land."

“We are very excited to have Council Member Dromm as the new chair of the Immigration Committee of the NYC Council, not only because he represents Jackson Heights , New York City’s most diverse neighborhood where seven out of ten residents are foreign born, but also because his leadership is rooted in his long-time work fighting for civil rights and dignity for all" said Ana Maria Archila, co-Executive Director of Make the Road NY. "He will bring the wisdom and experience gained from his work as a public school teacher to advance solutions to the drop out crisis and the challenges facing our schools. And his presence truly opens the doors of government to hundreds of thousands of Latino immigrants who are in the process of learning English, who will be able to communicate directly in Spanish with the leader of the Immigration Committee in the Council. Immigrant communities have a real ally and champion today as the chair of the Immigration Committee.”

Ciaran Staunton, co-founder and president of Irish Lobby for Immigration Reform, said, "Daniel Dromm will be a strong advocate for immigrants in New York City , especially in these tough economic times. I have worked with him successfully in the past on local initiatives and I know that Danny's experience makes him the perfect person to lead our efforts to give my fellow immigrants the respect they deserve, and the resources they require."

"Council Member Dromm is a strong choice to lead the Immigration Committee of the City Council" said Seema Agnani, Executive Director of Chhaya CDC. "His experience as a community organizer showcased a determination to increase the participation of immigrants in the democratic process. His recent campaign was successful in capturing the hopes, and addressing the concerns, of many of our newest neighbors. We look forward to working with him on critical issues including improving immigrant housing conditions and advocating for comprehensive immigration reform by the federal government."

"As an immigrant of African descent, I applaud the appointment of Council Member Daniel Dromm, who has been on the forefront of the struggle for inclusion and equality, to be chair of the Immigration Committee," said George Onuorah, founder and CEO of Youths International. "There is no doubt Dromm understands the importance of tolerance and cooperation for the betterment of everyone. There can only be positives and pluses when we unite, for only in unity can we achieve progress."

"A patchwork of immigrants elects an openly gay councilman" is how the New York Times recently described Dromm's election. Among the priorities that Dromm outlined for the Immigration Committee are relieving school overcrowding in communities with large immigrant populations, expanding funding of English-as-a-Second Language programs, improving health care access for immigrants, opening a jobs and community center, improving immigrant housing conditions, supporting federal legislation for the DREAM Act and highlighting the need for comprehensive federal immigration reform.

El Diaro: Concejales de NY viajan a PR por crimen de odio

El Diaro/MANUEL E. AVENDAÑO:

Una delegación de concejales neoyorquinos, encabezada por la presidente Christine Quinn, viajará mañana a Puerto Rico para reunirse con la familia de Jorge Steven López Mercado, el joven homosexual de 19 años de edad, que fuera brutalmente asesinado el pasado noviembre.

“El mensaje que queremos enviar al gobernador (Luis Fortuño) es que el resto de los Estados Unidos está viendo este caso y que quiere que se haga justicia”, dijo Quinn, en declaraciones exclusivas a EL DIARIO/LA PRENSA.

La presidente del Concejo Municipal agregó que decidió ir a la isla cuando escuchó acerca del crimen, de lo “increíblemente brutal que fue contra una víctima tan joven”.

Quinn expresó que se ha sentido “muy molesta” por la manera en que se ha manejado el caso, con el silencio del gobernador y por el trato que se le dado a la víctima “casi como a un criminal”. “La forma de tratar este caso ha sido ofensiva y atroz”, dijo Quinn.

Por su parte, la concejal Melissa Mark-Viverito (D-Manhattan) dijo a este diario que los concejales de Nueva York se unirán a otros funcionarios electos de Chicago, donde la comunidad puertorriqueña ha recaudado fondos que serán entregados a los familiares de López Mercado.

Los ediles Rosie Méndez (D-Manhattan), Danny Dromm (D-Queens) y Jimmy Van Bramer (D-Queens) integran también la delegación.

“Queremos que el gobernador entienda que el silencio no es aceptable”, dijo Mark-Viverito. Agregó que pese a que desde el 2002 existe una ley contra los crímenes de odio en Puerto Rico –firmada por la entonces gobernadora Sila Calderón- “hasta el momento no se ha llevado un caso a la corte”.

El cadáver de López Mercado fue hallado el 13 de noviembre en la ciudad de Cavey. Había sido decapitado, desmembrado y parcialmente quemado.

Dromm, Peralta, DenDekker and LGBT Activists Protest Against Monserrate

From Times Ledger: by Jeremy Walsh

The wound is still fresh for gay and lesbian constituents of Queens and state senators like Hiram Monserrate (D-East Elmhurst), who voted against same-sex marriage two weeks ago.

Organized by groups like the LGBT Coalition of Queens and the Western Queens Same Sex Marriage Alliance, protesters marched on Monserrate’s office in East Elmhurst Saturday and Sen. George Onorato’s (D-Astoria) office Sunday.

Although the politicians and their staffers were not in the offices, the group got plenty of looks — both positive and skeptical — from Corona residents as they marched north from Roosevelt Avenue.

“I want everyone to hear that I am not a second-class citizen,” said Sara Pomar, a same-sex marriage activist from Woodside. “It is irrelevant, my sexuality, but we all deserve the same civil rights.”

City Councilman-elect Daniel Dromm, a longtime Queens activist for gay rights who will represent Jackson Heights, Corona and Elmhurst come Jan. 1, said Monserrate indicated he supported same-sex marriage in a survey he filled out for the Empire State Pride Agenda. He and the Queens Democratic Party are endorsing state Assemblyman Jose Peralta (D-Jackson Heights) to challenge Monserrate in the 2010 Democratic primary.

“He violates the rights of the LGBT community, he violates the rights of the immigrant community, the African-American community, the Latino community because we are all in this struggle together for equal rights,” Dromm said, calling on same-sex marriage supporters to campaign throughout the borough, including Howard Beach, the home turf of state Sen. Joseph Addabbo (D-Howard Beach), who also voted against the bill.

State Assemblyman Michael DenDekker (D-Jackson Heights) accused Monserrate of not representing his constituents.

“If he did he would have looked and saw that the three Assembly members that make up this district all co-sponsored the legislation,” he said.

Elmhurst resident Sebastian Maguire called Monserrate a liar over his recent claim in a NY1 interview that no one had contacted him to encourage him to vote for the bill.

“Raise your hand if you personally called him, approached him, anything,” he told the crowd. At least a dozen hands went up.

Richard Allman, president of the Stonewall Democratic Club of New York City, said the influential group would be focusing its political efforts on Queens in 2010.

“Yes, Sen. Monserrate, in addition to this being political, it’s personal because you’re standing in the way of me and the man I love and that I intend to spend the rest of my life with,” he said. “And you will be stopped.”

German Morales, an Elmhurst resident who is HIV-positive, warned that gay rights and the rights of HIV and AIDS patients are interconnected.

“I love him. He’s my friend,” he said of Monserrate. “But he’s not my political friend anymore.”

Dromm Organizes March Against Hate Crime

from Edge:
Hundreds of people marched through the College Point section of Queens on Oct. 17 to denounce what police have described as an anti-gay hate crime that nearly claimed a local resident’s life.

Daniel Aleman, 26, and Daniel Rodriguez,Jr., 21, allegedly beat Jack Price, 49, outside an all-night deli on the corner of College Point Avenue and 18th Avenue around 3 a.m. on Oct. 9. Price’s sister-in-law, Joanne Guarneri, marched arm-and-arm with City Council Speaker Christine Quinn, Congressman Anthony Weiner, City Comptroller William Thompson, Jr., Queens Borough President Helen Marshall and other politicians, activists and local residents down College Point Avenue. She also spoke at a rally at a local park.

"They [Aleman and Rodriguez] nearly beat my brother-in-law to death for $10 and a pack of cigarettes," Guarneri said. "We have to stop violence in College Point. We have to take back our streets."

Amanda Guarneri echoed her mother’s anger before she and other members of her family marched.

"They [Aleman and Rodriguez] are a disgrace," the 15-year-old told EDGE. "They should be locked up forever. I wouldn’t wish this on my worst enemy."

Quinn, members of Price’s family and others who spoke at the rally were quick to praise the New York Police Department and local residents for the way they feel they have responded. Openly gay City Council candidate Danny Dromm, who co-organized both the march and rally, told fellow marchers he wanted to send a powerful message against anti-LGBT hate and bias crimes.

"We’re here to say enough is enough," Dromm said.

Price, who suffered a broken jaw, bruised ribs, a collapsed lung and other injuries, remains hospitalized in a Queens hospital. He told the Daily News he thought he would not survive.

"I thought I died," Price said.

photo credit:
flickr:theoccasionalflag
flickr:newyorkcitycouncil

Telemundo: Dromm Speaks Out Against Hate Crime

Victory Fund Endorses Daniel Dromm

The Victory Fund has endorsed Daniel Dromm for New York City Council, District 25.

The Victory Fund identifies, trains and elects LGBT leaders to all levels of office, in every corner of America. The Victory Fund and the courageous candidates we endorse have proven that with smart strategic support and the financial resources necessary - typically twice what straight candidates need to raise - LGBT candidates can run and win anywhere. Leadership matters. The individuals we elect to govern have a direct impact on our lives. The decisions they make are important, and the examples they set can inspire and influence our communities, our states and our country.

Queens Ledger: "Dromm Roll, Please"

From Queens Ledger: by Daniel Bush

Before Danny Dromm got his hands on it, there was nothing remarkable about the first Sunday in June in Jackson Heights.

Now, each year on that day, Jackson Heights and Dromm play host to the Queens LGBT Pride Parade and Festival, a vibrant annual event born of the organizing work Dromm started there in the early 1990’s.

The parade exemplifies Dromm’s special brand of activism in Queens, where Dromm, who is gay, is best known as a champion of gay rights.

Yet there is much more to Dromm’s candidacy than this aspect of his work, something he acknowledged he must prove in order to win the City Council’s 25th District seat.

Dromm - a decorated public school teacher and Democratic district leader - is running against Councilwoman Helen Sears, who is seeking a third term, and Stanley Kalathara, a community activist.

“I have been a strong advocate for my community for twenty years,” said Dromm. He said his consistent track record of challenging the status quo is “one of my greatest assets in running for City council.”

Dromm said if elected he would apply his community organizing to solve issues across the district - from sanitation services to crime, education, and small business growth.

“I’ve crossed bridges,” said Dromm, who was elected to the post of 39th Assembly District Leader, Part A, in 2002. He has since been re-elected three times. “That’s what needs to be done in our community. [We need to] bring people together.”

Dromm supports directing more resources towards community-based health initiatives. He said he would build local health centers for uninsured and low-income residents, so they no longer have to go to Elmhurst Hospital’s emergency room for primary care service.

Dromm criticized Sears for not doing more to save St. John’s Hospital, which closed earlier this year.

“How could she have allowed St. John’s to close?” said Dromm. “Someone should have been out there screaming and yelling.”

Likewise, he said the district - which is small, geographically, but has a dense, largely immigrant population - needs more city resources to improve education, sanitation services, and traffic congestion and help struggling small business whether the recession.

Dromm noted that securing funding for these and other projects, including efforts to reduce crime and encourage the development of affordable housing, will be harder than ever, but said that doesn’t mean they can’t be done.

“I know we have a budget crisis, but we still need someone” to fight for the district’s needs, Dromm said. He said his relationship with elected officials in Queens and throughout the city would help him advocate for his district and achieve immediate results.

Indeed, Dromm has racked up a list of important endorsements that could give the incumbent Sears, the Democratic party candidate, pause for worry.

Dromm has been endorsed by Assemblyman Jose Peralta, Queens Council members Julissa Ferreras and Eric Gioia, and the Working Families Party, among others.

The Democratic primary will be held on September 15.

© queensledger.com 2009

Met Council on Housing Endorses Daniel Dromm

Metropolitan Council on Housing, New York City's oldest tenant union has endorsed Daniel Dromm for City Council from the 25th District.

In a letter from Metropolitan Council on Housing Chair, Scott Sommer, the organization cited Dromm's "ongoing advocacy and support of New York City's tenants" as their main reason for the endorsement.

Sommer said, "We look forward to working with you in the future on measures to improve the quality and affordability of housing in our city.

Dromm thanked the organization and said, "I deeply appreciate the Metropolitan Council on Housing endorsement because tenants rights is an extremely important issue for me and for my constituents. I am committed to fighting against abuse by landlords and to working to increase affordable housing in my district."

Dromm has also been endorsed by Tenants PAC because of his commitment to affordable housing and tenants rights.

Met Council, founded in 1959, is a membership organization dedicated to preserving and expanding New York City’s supply of decent, affordable housing. Most New Yorkers live in rented apartments—almost all low, moderate, and middle-income people in New York rent their homes—and over 1 million of those apartments are covered by rent regulations. Met Council focuses on preserving rental housing and strengthening tenants’ rights. Rent-regulated tenants have more long-term stability, better services, and lower rents than those who rent on the open market.

JH Times: Sears Has Underserved Latino Community

From Jackson Heights Times: by Ivan Pereira

City Council candidate Daniel Dromm was joined by state Assemblyman Jose Peralta (D-Jackson Heights) and several members of the Queens Latino community for a campaign rally outside the Jackson Heights post office Saturday.

Dromm, who is challenging incumbent Councilwoman Helen Sears (D-Jackson Heights) in the Democratic primary, said the neighborhood’s Latino population was being underserved by the city government and vowed to fight for their rights.

A group of nearly two dozen Latino residents concurred and cheered on Dromm’s campaign with chants of “Danny! Danny!”

“They feel it’s time for a change,” Dromm said of his support.

Sears oversees the 25th Council District, which includes Jackson Heights, Elmhurst, Rego Park, Woodside and Corona.

Dromm said that if elected, he would aim to tackle several issues that are affecting the residents. The most important issue, he said, was that Sears’ office did reach out to the Latino community or make her office accessible when they had problems.

“I think their needs have not been dealt with or addressed,” he said.

The candidate also said many Latinos are underserved in terms of health care and said the city should make more of an effort to provide affordable health care to families. He said he would like to see more health centers similar to Plaza del Sol in Corona for poor Latino families.

“Right now, Elmhurst Hospital is overwhelmed and a lot of that has to do with the fact that people go there for primary care,” he said.

Dromm said he would collaborate with other elected officials like Peralta and Councilwoman Julissa Ferreras (D-East Elmhurst) to create a unified group to tackle the surrounding neighborhood’s most driving issues, including education, health care and outreach to the Latino community.

Peralta, who endorsed Dromm in June, said such a partnership is needed because city and state leaders can yield better results.

“That unity doesn’t happen with the incumbent,” Assemblyman Peralta said.

504 Democratic Club Endorses Dromm

The 504 Democratic Club has endorsed Daniel Dromm for the New York City Council, District 25. The 504 Democratic Club is a New York City-based coalition of Democrats working towards inclusion of people with disabilities in the political and social fabric of society. Club members hail from all five boroughs, reaching across every conceivable line to include a richly diverse group of people with disabilities, public officials, friends and family who support the concepts set forth in Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.

Queens Tribune: Dromm Building Coalition to Win

From Queens Tribune: Providing Equality For All New York Citizens
By MICHAEL SCHENKLER

That knock on your door could be the official start of the New York City 2009 campaign season. This week, petitioning begins as part of the antiquated process of candidates getting their name on the ballot. The process remains antiquated and reform only comes by court mandate since the guys in control – the party structure and incumbents – benefit from a system requiring many signatures and open to accosting opponents with an intricate and expensive legal process.

While not close to the 65 Queens candidates who ran for Council when the entire delegation was term limited, we see real races shaping up in a handful of seats where no incumbent is standing for election and one challenge to an incumbent that is certainly worth focus and ink.

The one incumbent facing a serious challenge is Helen Sears in the 25th. With Alfonso Quiroz dropping out of the race, the candidacy of activist and Dem District Leader Danny Dromm with the backing of the Working Families Party, must be considered as a threat to the Councilwoman who voted to overturn the people’s will and extend her own term in this rapidly changing District. The candidacy of businessman Stanley Kalathara should not impact the Sears-Dromm race significantly. Look for Dromm to try to build a coalition of Latinos – he’s fluent in Spanish – gays and disenchanted voters to be the only Queens candidate to knock off an incumbent in this year’s Council races.

NY1: Dromm Bringing Change to Queens

From NY1:With a same-sex marriage fight brewing in the New York State Senate, thousands turned out for the Pride Parade in Queens yesterday.

Backers of the bill took to the streets in Jackson Heights in support of legislation. The parade's founder says he started the event to fight for basic civil rights; a fight that he says goes on today.

"Back in those days, we wanted the right not to be fired from our jobs, to be able to find housing without discrimination," said Queens LGBT Pride Parade Founder Daniel Dromm. "And today we are fighting for marriage equality. That's a sign of the seed change and the attitude of elected officials, particularly in the borough of Queens."

Daily News: Dromm Fighting for Marriage Equality

From NY Daily News:
For thousands of New Yorkers marching in the annual Queens gay pride parade, marriage rights can't come fast enough.

"We're fighting for marriage equality," said City Council candidate Daniel Dromm, who started the parade 17 years ago. "We're fighting for the 1,300 rights that married heterosexual couples get. It's very important for LGBT people to have visibility."

WPIX: Dromm at Queens Pride Parade

From WPIX:
JACKSON HEIGHTS, N.Y. (WPIX) - It was the usual spectacle: flashy, festive, cultural and colorful. But this years Queens Gay Pride parade had an added attraction: politicians on parade pushing to make New York the 17th state to legalize same sex marriage.
Daniel Dromm, parade founder and City Council candidite, said:"The parade is so important because it provides us with visibility and lets everyone know that we are their family, friends, and neighbors."

Dromm: Queens Pride Focuses on Marriage Equality

From New York Daily News by Clare Trapasso:
Organizers of this weekend's Queens gay pride parade are expecting the event's largest turnout yet as the push for a same-sex marriage bill appears to be gaining steam. Participants are hoping to change the minds of three state senators in the borough who are opposed to legalizing gay marriage in New York.
"Most of the people who are going to be coming to the parade are going to be focusing on marriage equality," said parade co-founder Daniel Dromm.
The 17th annual Queens Lesbian Gay Bisexual and Transgender Pride Parade will kick off at noon Sunday at 37th Ave. and 89th St. in Jackson Heights. Dromm expects 40,000 attendees - about 10,000 more than last year. Organizers hope a big turnout will pressure state Sens. George Onorato (D-Astoria), Shirley Huntley (D-Jamaica) and Frank Padavan (R-Bellerose) into supporting a same-sex marriage bill. "The senators need to realize that lesbian, gay, transgender and bisexual people are their friends, their neighbors," Dromm said. "We are, in fact, everywhere."

From Jackson Heights Times by Jeremy Walsh:
One could say Queens Pride runs right through Jackson Heights and means both the spirit of the borough and the popular gay parade. The sentiment is even truer this year as the gay, lesbian and transgender community is abuzz about the possibility of New York legalizing same−sex marriage. This year’s theme for Sunday’s event is “Your Rights, Our Rights, Human Rights,” said Daniel Dromm, parade founder and organizer.
“It states that everybody has a stake in LGBT rights, and I think for that reason, it’s really appropriate this year,” Dromm said.
“This has become very much a tradition in Jackson Heights, and it’s really accepted by people who live there,” he said. “It’s really a family parade."

Queens Gazette: Dromm "Right Side of History"

From Queens Gazette:
The group Western Queens for Marriage Equality co-sponsored a rally attended by close to 2,500 supporters on Sunday evening, May 31 in Athens Square Park in Astoria. Jeremiah Frei-Pearson, one of the group’s leaders, and Ron Zacchi, its executive director, conducted the proceedings, which urged state Senate Majority Leader Malcolm Smith to bring Governor David Paterson’s Marriage Equality bill to a vote before the state senate session ends on June 22, and pushing for both Smith and state Senator George Onorato to vote yes.
District Leader Daniel Dromm, running for City Council as well as teaching social studies at a public school, said that he teaches his students about being on the right side of history. “Today,” he declared, “we are on the right side of history!”

Stonewall Democrats Endorses Daniel Dromm

The Stonewall Democrats New York City today announced its endorsement of Daniel Dromm for the New York City Council, District 25, which represents Jackson Heights, LeFrak City, Elmhurst, Corona, East Elmhurst, Rego Park and Woodside.

Stonewall Democrats is America's only grassroots Democratic LGBT organization. Its focus is on creating change in three ways: educating the LGBT community about the differences between the political parties; mobilizing the LGBT community to get out to vote on Election Day for fair-minded Democrats; and standing up when Republicans attack our families and our civil rights while we lead the Democratic party to continue improving its record on issues important to our community.

Support Daniel Dromm & Change in Queens

Support the progressive movement in Queens, join hosts:

Assemblyman Jose Peralta,
Council Member Julissa Ferreras,
Lesbian & Gay Democratic Club of Queens
& New Visions Democratic Club

invite you to a Pre-Queens Pride Parade Breakfast
to support Queens LGBT Pride Parade Founder

Daniel Dromm
Candidate for New York City Council, 25th District

Sunday, June 7, 2009 - 10:00 am - 11:30 am
Cavalier Restaurant 85-19 37th Avenue , Jackson Heights, NY
*Right before the parade, near the start*
Special Guest Speaker: Council Member ROSIE MENDEZ
$50 - suggested donation

March with Danny in the parade right after the breakfast.
Danny needs your financial contribution now more than ever.
This is our last big fundraising push before
petitioning begins on Tuesday, June 9th.
COME OUT TO SUPPORT DANNY NOW!

City Hall News: Queens County and Others Inch Toward Dromm in Race Against Sears

From City Hall News:
Queens County and Others Inch Toward Dromm in Race Against Sears
Immigrant issues, LGBT resonance define Jackson Heights primary
by Betwa Sharma

Incumbents do not tend to get voted out of the Council. But that is exactly what several challengers are hoping to do in the Jackson Heights district of Helen Sears (D), who is defending herself against charges that she is ineffective and out of step with the constituents.

“She has achieved little in eight years, and now her time is over,” said Daniel Dromm, who teaches the fourth grade and is considered by many to be the most likely to knock off the 80-year old Sears. “The community is desperate for change.”

A dedicated gay rights activist since the early 1990s, Dromm has already secured endorsements from the United Federation of Teachers and from many district leaders—almost unheard of for a challenger.

Dromm is confident that he will get support from the two political clubs he founded—the New Visions Democratic Club and the Lesbian and Gay Democratic Club. He also hopes to get the backing of the John F. Kennedy Democratic Club of Queens, which is Sears’ home club.

A big boost for Dromm is that Maureen Allen, president of the JFK club, has already endorsed him. Political heavyweights in the community, including Assembly Member José Peralta (D) and Council Member Julissa Ferreras (D), who represents the neighboring district, are also on his side.

By making education, quality of life and civil rights his top issues, Dromm has won support in different groups of the diverse neighborhood.

“Danny is the fresh air this neighborhood needs,” said Will Sweeney, a resident and community activist. “The generation that would vote for Sears has passed.”

The buzz is that Dromm will also win the nomination of the Queens County Democratic Party over Sears. A political insider described the incumbent as “not very innovative,” who did not go out of the way for her electorate. “The party is in a tight spot right now,” he said. “They’re thinking of easing her out.”

There is some fatigue in the community as well, according to a district leader who spoke on the condition of anonymity and slammed the Council member for skipping meetings and events.

“People do not get help from her office in accessing city services, and they are simply tired of Helen Sears,” the district leader said.

Dromm, who was the party’s choice before the term limits extension, has managed to retain his support inside the party. The district leader expressed confidence that the majority of district leaders were leaning towards nominating Dromm as the party candidate.


But district leader and Assembly Member Michael Den Dekker said he believes Sears remains strong.

“She has worked in the community since I was a little kid,” he said. “Her political record is hard to beat.”

That is the argument Sears herself is making on the trail.

“No one has more insights into this community and no one can represent it better,” she said.

The district has undergone rapid change since Sears was first elected in 2001, becoming a center for immigrants from Latin America, South Asia and East Asia.

Two immigrants, Bryan Pu-Folkes and Rodolfo Flores, gave Sears a spirited challenge in the 2005 primary. In that extremely low-turnout, 6,800-vote race, Sears eked out a victory with 4,225 votes.

Despite the flood of immigrants, the voting pattern does not reflect the changing demographics of the community. Many newcomers do not register to vote, do not apply for citizenship or eventually move out to a richer neighborhood.

Out of 58,664 total registered voters, there are some 7,000 South Asians registered to vote, according to SEVA, an immigrant advocacy group based in Queens.

Stanley Kalathara, a lawyer who has raised $67,952, and Mujib Rahman, a Bangladeshi resident of Elmhurst who has not reported campaign funds, are also in the race but have not emerged as serious competitors. Then there is Alfonso Quiroz, another LGBT activist, who has $67,686 in the bank.

Sears, meanwhile, reported $119,623 on her May filing for a committee that remains technically undeclared. Dromm reported $81,087.

While Dromm is seen as the inimitable pioneer of activism, Quiroz is making his mark as a new-age activist. He is addressing issues like clean energy, economic development, education, affordable housing and transportation.

Many residents, however, are put off by his position as spokesperson for Con Ed.

Quiroz called that background an advantage.

“My experience in the energy sector will be very useful for the community,” he said.

There remains some question, however, over whether or not two gay candidates will split the vote of the burgeoning LGBT community of Jackson Heights. But Quiroz is not worried about splitting the vote with Dromm.

“We’re two completely different people. Different generations, political paths and outlooks,” he said.

Plus, there are old-fashioned factions among the South Asians who may not vote for a gay candidate, like local Muslim merchant Mohammad Pier.

“We are very conservative and it is against our religion,” Pier said.

But many South Asians seem not to care about the sexual orientations of the candidates, and, like Sikh voter Jaspreet Singh, are more concerned about civil rights for people often targeted because of their turbans and long beards.

For all that is being discussed, though, Den Dekker said he believes September will be about one question.

“This is what an election is all about,” he said. “Vote for experience, or vote for change.”

Queens Chronicle: Dromm Calls For More ESL Funding

From Queens Chronicle:
The four candidates for Helen Sears’ seat in the City Council laid out their reasons for running and responded to a range of questions from immigrants at a forum in Jackson Heights on Monday.
Among other things, attendees asked the candidates what they would do to ensure the availability of affordable housing, what measures they would take to help immigrants gain U.S. citizenship, how they would protect undocumented domestic workers from abuse and exploitation, what their positions are on non-citizen voting rights and where they stand on gay marriage.
The candidates, who are vying to represent parts of Jackson Heights, Elmhurst, East Elmhurst, Rego Park, Woodside and Corona, began with brief opening remarks about their reasons for running.
Daniel Dromm of Jackson Heights, who has been a teacher for 25 years, started in Spanish before switching to English.
“I’m running for City Council because I have a hope,” Dromm said. “I have a hope that we can have a better community. I have a hope that we can have a better education system. I have a hope that together we can fight for civil rights for everyone in the community.”
Dromm added that he thinks it’s important that the council representative for District 25 speak Spanish to be able to “communicate with the majority of the people who live here in this community.”
Stanley Kalathara, an attorney and former real estate agent originally from India, said he aims to improve the quality of life in all parts of District 25 by reopening St. John’s Hospital, building a new high school, rezoning Roosevelt Avenue as a business improvement district and beautifying the neighborhoods.
“I know how to create jobs,” Kalathara said, citing his business and legal experience.
Alfonso Quiroz of Jackson Heights, a public affairs manager at Con Ed, said he stands out from other candidates because he is independent and said that if elected, he would work hard to reach out to the various communities in the district.
“One of the first things I’m gong to do when I’m elected is to create a task force where I can sit down with a lot of the people in each of the communities and figure out what’s going wrong and how we can solve it,” Quiroz said. “I think it’s extremely, extremely important that everyone has a voice — that everyone has a seat at the table.”
Incumbent Helen Sears, who has represented District 25 in the City Council for the past seven years, spoke of her accomplishments in office.
“It probably is the most progressive council that has ever been,” Sears said. “We have passed more laws for immigrants; we have passed more laws for gay rights; we have passed more laws for human rights; we have done more for tenants in housing. Can we do more? Absolutely. Do I wish to do more? Yes, and that’s why I’m running for reelection.”
During the question-and-answer session, candidates pandered hard to their audience. Dromm began many of his answers in Spanish; Quiroz several times compared himself to immigrants by mentioning that he moved to New York from Chicago without knowing anyone; Kalathara pointed out that he was an immigrant and went through the naturalization process; and Sears said her years in office have given her the experience and the head start she needs to get things done.
In response to concerns that were raised, each of the contenders repeatedly began their answers with something to the effect of, “I think that’s an extremely important issue, and I care deeply about it.”
The candidates sometimes used up nearly all of their allotted speaking time by reiterating the importance of the issue at hand rather than explaining what they would do to remedy the problem.
Nonetheless, attendees said they thought the forum was informative and useful — in part because the candidates sometimes took clear stances on issues that are of importance to minority communities.
For example, all four candidates said it’s important to establish better means of protecting day laborers and domestic workers, and all clearly said they support gay marriage.
There were also some topics about which the candidates did disagree or at least proposed varying solutions.
For example, when someone said that 35 percent of the district’s population can’t vote because they’re not U.S. citizens, Dromm said he thinks anyone who pays taxes should have the right to vote. Kalathara agreed but added the qualification that individuals with a criminal record shouldn’t be allowed to vote. Quiroz called for general immigration reform, and Sears said immigrants should have to show a commitment to the United States and to learning English before being allowed to vote.
On the subject of immigration and citizens’ rights, the candidates each talked of their plans to facilitate the naturalization process for immigrants. Sears said two offices in the district already offer ESL classes and other services, but Dromm called for “much, much more funding for ESL and help with getting citizenship.” He said he would set aside some of his discretionary funds for this.
Kalathara said he would provide his constituents with help on “all immigration issues, any time, day or night — for free.” Finally, Quiroz called for public-private relationships that would help provide ESL instruction.
A third example of differing opinions involved after school programs, many of which are reducing services due to budget cuts. Kalathara pledged to give seven percent of his salary to pre-kindergarten programs. Dromm said he would work to reprioritize funding and channel money back into the district. Sears reiterated that it’s hard to come up with adequate funding for extracurricular programs but that at least the mayor is committed to maintaining the number of teachers in classrooms. Quiroz said budget cuts are inevitable and advocated sitting down with principals, parents and students to figure out how to deal with them.
Several of the forum’s attendees said they thought the event helped them get a sense of who the candidates are and what they stand for.
“I didn’t really know the candidates,” said Monica Lorza, a Jackson Heights resident. “With this, you can get a sense of what they’re thinking.”
Victor Oquendo agreed, saying the forum helped him differentiate between the candidates, although as he put it, “Sometimes they derailed from the questions.”
Brendan Fay offered warm praises. “I was amazed,” Fay said. “What we’ve witnessed here is the ability of diverse communities to gather and debate about issues that affect their lives. ... I was glad to hear every single one of [the candidates] say they’re for ending discrimination in our community.”

Queens Tribune: Dromm Applauds Marriage Equality Bill

From Queens Tribune:
by Vladic Ravich

Facing dismal approval ratings and hard economic choices, Gov. David Paterson switched gears this week and introduced a bill to allow same-sex marriage in New York. He insisted that the issue is a matter of morality and human rights whose time has come.

“Our work to correct injustice cannot depend on factors like timing or guaranteed success,” Paterson said. “For too long, LGBT New Yorkers have been told to wait for their civil rights and personal freedom. We will not wait any longer. Now is the time for action. Now is the time for leadership. Now is the time to march forward together.”

Local activists for gay rights celebrated the decision. Daniel Dromm, a candidate for the 25th Council district, said “I think if we wait too long the timing is never right. The most important thing is that we get the bill in… I don’t see why this time around the bill is creating so much noise, but it’s time, and I think we should proceed on it and we should get people on record on it.”

Candidates Praise Dromm at LGDCQ Forum

From Queens Tribune: by Vladic Ravich

The Lesbian & Gay Democratic Club of Queens flexed their political muscle last week when they hosted what Public Advocate candidate Mark Green dubbed “political speed dating.” The club heard from and questioned all four democratic candidates for Public Advocate, three of four City Comptroller contenders and current Comptroller Bill Thompson, the likely Democratic candidate for Mayor.

All the candidates paid homage to the club’s 11 years of advocacy for the visibility of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender communities in the political arena. The LGDCQ is the only lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender independent Democratic club in the Borough of Queens.

“No democratic club in New York City has had a more challenging and impressive history standing up for people’s rights,” said Councilman Bill de Blasio (D-Brooklyn). Each of the candidates paid their respects to the club’s history, often praising LGDCQ’s co-founder Daniel Dromm as well, who is running against Councilwoman Helen Sears (D-Jackson Heights) for her seat.

Queens Courier: Dromm Marches in St. Pat's For All Parade

From Queens Courier:
One day a year, on St. Patrick’s Day, the Irish and non-Irish alike wear green, sing jigs and show off their buttons that say “Kiss Me I’m Irish.”

Everybody can be Irish on that day unless, according to the organizers of the Fifth Avenue St. Patrick’s Day Parade, you are a gay or lesbian. Ten years ago this weekend, the all-inclusive St. Pat’s For All Parade and Festival in Sunnyside was born and organizers believe that the theme of inclusiveness has been the reason for the parade’s success.

Latinos, Choctaw Native Americans, Tibetans, school bands, girl scouts, bag pipers, puppeteers, gays and lesbians, Mayor Michael Bloomberg and City Council Speaker Christine Quinn, will march alongside Irish men and women on Sunday, March 1 beginning at 1:30 p.m. on 43rd Street and Skillman Avenue in Sunnyside and ending at 61st Street and Woodside. Other political leaders marching will include Representative Joseph Crowley, City Comptroller Bill Thompson, Councilmembers David Weprin and Tony Avella, and District Leader Danny Dromm.

“What we were doing was trying to find an alternative to the Hibernian parade in Manhattan,” said Dromm, a co-founder of the parade and a proud gay Irish Catholic. “What better place to have an inclusive St. Patrick’s Day Parade than in Queens, the borough of nations.”

photo credit: flickr/afulki

Dromm Protests False Arrests

Stop the Arrests: Danny Dromm from Eric Leven on Vimeo.

Dromm Endorsed by League of Humane Voters

The New York League of Humane Voters (NYLHV), a non-profit animal welfare group with more than 7,000 members, announced today that it is endorsing Democratic district leader Daniel Dromm for City Council in the 25th Council District. Dromm will face off against several challengers, including possibly the incumbent Council Member, in this September’s Primary.

“NYLHV proudly and enthusiastically endorses Danny Dromm for City Council. Danny is a fighter who isn’t afraid to take on the powers that be. In 1992, when Danny came out as an openly gay teacher, he knew it could cost him his job. He didn’t care. Danny was fighting for civil rights and that was more important than his job. That’s the kind of courage and leadership we need on the City Council,” said John Phillips, NYLHV’s executive director. “Danny will bring his strength and determination to the City Council where I know he will be a champion on animal protection issues. I look forward to working with him.”

Upon learning of the endorsement, Dromm issued the following statement:

"I am pleased and honored to accept the endorsement of the New York League of Humane Voters. I take animal rights very seriously. I look forward to continuing to be an advocate for legislation that the League has been fighting to pass. As an educator, I firmly believe that we must instill a respect for animals at an early age. As a member of the NYC Council, I will fight to ensure that existing humane education laws are enforced.

I will fight to remove carriage horses from NYC's streets and replace them with an equally viable tourist attraction. I will work to ensure that our animals are protected. I thank the League and I look forward to working with them in the future."

Dromm at Queens Winter Pride

Photo caption: NYC Comptroller William Thompson, Winter Pride Founder Daniel Dromm and NYS Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli at Winter Pride 2009 at the Astoria World Manor.

January 24, 2009 - Over 375 people attended Queens Winter Pride, the annual fundraiser for the Queens Lesbian and Gay Pride Parade and Festival which is always held on the first Sunday in June in Jackson Heights. This year's parade will be held on Sunday, June 7, 2009.

Dromm first organized the Winter Pride event in 1994 and he remains as one of the event's main promoters and organizers.

"Winter Pride is like the Al Smith Dinner of the Queens LGBT communities," said Dromm. "It a must do event." By that Dromm means that the Winter Pride Dinner Dance has become Queens most important "political" nonpolitical LGBT event. More than 20 state and city elected officials attended. As well as a large number of City Council candidates and other hopefuls also attended.

"Partisan politics are not discussed but many elected officials come looking for votes," Dromm said. "It's quite an impressive show of LGBT strength."

The event honored Council Member Rosie Mendez from Manhattan's Lower East Side, Phyllis Steinberg, president emerita of P-FLAG/NYC, and the Queens Tribune for the publication of its annual Queens Gay Pride edition.




credit: facebook/billthompson

Dromm Statement on Attack in Jackson Heights

Statement of Daniel Dromm:

“I am saddened and troubled to learn about the attack on Jassmir Singh, a young Sikh man, while walking the streets of Jackson Heights. This vicious attack is a reminder that we desperately need more law enforcement presence on 37th Avenue at night and on weekends. I am also deeply concerned about the likelihood that this may have been a hate crime. I am again calling on the Mayor and the City Council to institute a tolerance program in the New York City public schools. The increasing frequency and severity of these crimes has made it critical for our city to take action to insure that everyone is protected and respected. “


Source: NY1

Dromm at Queens Pride Holiday Party

Daniel Dromm is the founder of the Queens LGBT Pride Parade and Festival held annually on the first Sunday in June in Jackson Heights. QLGPC, the parade and festival organizers, recently held its annual Thank You Holiday Party at Club Atlantis in Jackson Heights. Here, Dromm introduces Andres Valdez, the Secretary General of Mateando, NYC's first LGBT Argentinean-Uruguayan group, at the party.

Hoy: Líderes alegan más crímenes raciales

From Hoy:

"El último fue el caso de un ecuatoriano brutalmente atacado en Brooklyn"

Líderes hispanos hicieron ayer un llamado nacional para detener el incremento de crímenes raciales contra este colectivo producidos en los últimos meses, el más reciente el asesinato del ecuatoriano José Osvaldo Sucuzhañay.

De este modo, representantes de la coalición Agenda Nacional del Liderazgo Hispano (NHLA, por sus siglas en inglés) se reunieron ayer en la Cámara de Representantes de EEUU para denunciar el asesinato de tres hispanos en los últimos cinco meses.

"Lamentamos el asesinato en Brooklyn (Nueva York) de José Osvaldo Sucuzhañay, cuya vida fue quitada por un grupo de gente, que según los testigos, cometieron un crimen motivado por un acto de odio intolerante", señaló en rueda de prensa el presidente de la NHLA, John Trasviña.

Sucuzhañay, de 31 años, fue agredido mientras regresaba a su casa del brazo de su hermano por tres hombres que bajaron de un automóvil y gritaron insultos contra los latinos y los homosexuales.

El asesinato se produce apenas un mes después de que un grupo de adolescentes acuchillara, también en el estado de Nueva York, al ecuatoriano Marcelo Lucero, de 37 años.

Estas trágicas muertes evidencian, según la NHLA, la creciente ola de odio que sacude al país, dónde el pasado mes de julio un grupo de jóvenes golpeó hasta la muerte al mexicano Luis Ramírez, de 25 años, en Shenandoah (Pensilvania). Por ese motivo, las asociaciones pidieron que "la legislación nacional debe ser una prioridad". •

El presidente de la NHLA recordó que los últimos datos de la Oficina de Investigación Federal (FBI) resaltan que "los crímenes de odio en contra de los latinos crecieron un 40 por ciento en los últimos cuatro años".

Dromm Condemns Anti-Latino, Anti-Gay Hate Crime

Statement from Daniel Dromm:

While I cannot attend the press conference scheduled by NYC Council Speaker Christine Quinn at 12:30 PM today on the steps of City Hall because I am teaching in a NYC public school, I want to add my voice to other community leaders speaking out against this horrific hate crime.

It is particularly unfortunate that this family has to suffer this violent act of hate during the Holiday season. What is supposed to be a happy, family oriented time of year has been destroyed for this family.

When hate crimes are committed it is particularly important for all community members to speak out against them. The perpetrators are trying to send a message to the community that it is okay to hate. We need to stand up to that wrongful type of thinking and condemn the violence.

While this crime occurred in Brooklyn, the victim lays in Elmhurst Hospital struggling to hold on to his life. Queens has unfortunately suffered through this type of violence before when Julio Rivera, Steen Keith Fenrich and Edgar Garzon were brutally murdered by hate.

I call upon the NYC Department of Education to implement a curriculum that teaches tolerance of all of NYC's diverse populations. We need to educate our youth that hatred is wrong.

My prayers and thoughts go out to the victim and his family. I promise to pursue justice in this case.

Leonor and Armando Garzon Endorse Daniel Dromm

Leonor and Armando Garzon have endorsed Daniel Dromm for the New York City Council, 25th District. The Garzons recently became citizens and have said that their first vote will be for Daniel Dromm. Dromm worked tirelessly with the Garzons in aftermath of the murder of their son, Edgar, in 2001 in Jackson Heights. Shortly before 4 a.m., on Aug. 15, 2001, after leaving Friend's Tavern, a gay bar on Roosevelt Avenue, Edgar was walking to his home in Jackson Heights when John McGhee, 40, jumped out of a car and savagely attacked him with a baseball bat or a lead pipe. Garzón's skull was crushed and he never regained consciousness. He was 35 when he died in Elmhurst Hospital Center on Sept. 4, 2001. His grieving parents have been tireless in pursuing justice. They have knocked on doors, talked to politicians and community leaders, questioned the police and befriended the media. And after seven years they were able to see the brutal killer of their well-liked son brought to justice.

Dromm Supports Queens Vantage Tenants' Council Effort to Protect Renters

Daniel Dromm pauses while speaking in Spanish to the Queens Vantage Tenants' Council to allow a translator (right) to translate his words into English.

On December 3, 2008, Queens Vantage Tenants' Council (QVTC) held a rally at St. Joan of Arc Roman Catholic Church in Jackson Heights which was attended by over 250 people. Dromm spoke out against the abuses of Vantage Properties (and its chief financial backer, Apollo Real Estate Advisors) which owns numerous buildings in the 25th Council District.

Many tenants accuse Vantage of using many under-handed and possibly illegal tactics to force tenants from their homes including taking many tenants to court for no reason, harassing tenants who cannot produce a valid lease and trying to evict those tenants even though they have lived in their apartment for many years.

Vantage has been alleged to remove superintendents from a number of its buildings and telling tenants to call a service number when they have concerns or need repairs. Vantage has also been reported to return rent checks from tenants because of minor technicalities and thereby triggering eviction proceedings.

At the rally, Dromm spoke in Spanish and said, "I fully understand what you are going through having myself been a victim of an abusive landlord. Vantage needs to understand that although these are just investments to them; to us, they are our homes." Dromm served on the executive board of the tenants association of the rent-stabilized building where he used to live (70-35 Broadway) in Jackson Heights during the 1980's. Dromm has been fighting for tenants issues for over 25 years.

Dromm signed the QVTC's pledge promising "to stick by you through this battle. The only way Vantage can win is if we don't remain united in our efforts to secure justice. We must stay united."

Dromm supports the Council's demands that Vantage stop harassing tenants, that an independent monitor review all of Vantage's cases before Vantage takes them to court and that Apollo write a letter to all its tenants in all its buildings explaining who they are and that they will address the concerns of the QVTC.

In conclusion, Dromm thanked the Council and one of the main organizers of the event, Robert McCreanor, Director of Legal Services for the Immigrant Tenant Advocacy Project of the Catholic Migration Office of the Diocese of Brooklyn.

Dromm Attends NAACP Freedom Fund Luncheon

Daniel Dromm attended the NAACP/Corona-East Elmhurst Branch's annual Freedom Fund fundraiser and scholarship luncheon held at Dante's Caterers in Jackson Heights on December 6, 2008. Dromm has been a proud, longtime, active member of the NAACP. The event was particularly poignant this year because of the election of the United States first African American president, Barack Obama. The NAACP has been in the forefront of the battle to secure equal rights for all people for almost 100 years.


Dromm, NAACP president George Gibson and Tarik Coles, State Committee Member for the 35th Assembly District.


Dromm poses with NAACP honorees District Leader Veta Brome (left) and Dromm's friend, Selma Heraldo. She lives next door to the Louis Armstrong home and museum in Corona. Selma was a close friend to Lucille Armstrong and often traveled with her and Sachmo.


LeFrak City Merchants' Association president Jim Galloway (who has endorsed Dromm's candidacy), Selma Heraldo, and Dromm.


Dromm with Lester Youngblood, president of the LeFrak City Tenants Association.

Additionally, the NAACP honored Ms. Meta Barnes, Mr. Lucius Benson and Mr. John Houston.