Stonewall Democrats Endorse Diamondstone
The momentum is building for Ken Diamondstone in his campaign for City Council. On Wednesday, Diamondstone won the endorsement of the Stonewall Democrats, the city’s largest LGBT Democratic club.
“I am proud to accept the endorsement of the Stonewall Democrats,” Diamondstone said. “They are a leading reform club in our city, and today they recognized that I am the leading reform candidate in this race.”
Diamondstone has been an LGBT activist for years. In 1986, he founded the Touch Community Dinners, an organization that serves meals to individuals living with HIV/AIDS. He worked to pass SONDA (Sexual Orientation Non-Discrimination Act) as a law in New York State, and along with life partner Joe Kopitz is a strong supporter of the Griot Circle, a group dedicated to helping LGBT seniors of color live with dignity.
Diamondstone pointed out that the entire borough of Brooklyn has never elected an openly gay representative to any legislative body.
“It’s high time that the LGBT community was represented in Brooklyn,” Diamondstone said. “Our community has taken such tremendous steps forward. My victory will be a huge symbolic statement that the LGBT community will have a voice in our borough.”
Club president Richard Allman trumped Diamondstone’s history of service to the LGBT community.
“The Stonewall Democratic Club is proud to endorse Ken Diamondstone in the 33rd Council District,” Allman said. “Our members value his commitment to good government and to LGBT rights, and we know he will be a good representative for all the citizens of the 33rd.”
Diamondstone, an affordable housing developer and community activist, is running in the 33rd District, which includes all or parts of Brooklyn Heights, Boerum Hill, DUMBO, Vinegar Hill, Park Slope, Williamsburg and Greenpoint.
This is not the first major LGBT endorsement Diamondstone has secured. Last week, the Jim Owles Liberal Democratic Club endorsed his campaign.
“People are sick of phony progressives who don’t represent real change,” Diamondstone said. “I’m a real reformer. I have a history of getting results for all Brooklynites, regardless of their sexual orientation. If you’re sick of the old boys’ club, I ask for your vote on September 15.”
